Omen Belgian Raspberry Stout (Apocalypse Series) - Elysian Brewing Company

flagmantho

Washington

3.9/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 22oz bomber into a pint glass.

Appearance: black with just a little bit of brown highlight around the edges. Head pours two fingers of frothy, creamy tan foam with a nice lace. Attractive.

Smell: chocolatey and toasty malt aroma with a little bit of biscuit. Vegetal hops are also present. A light fruitiness perhaps identifiable as raspberry is also present. Not bad, but the biscuit is not to my taste and it's a bit muddled overall.

Taste: nice basic stout right up front with a good chocolate and roasty character. The raspberry then appears, first with an acidic tartness indicating real fruit but then developing into a mellower raspberry essence. Lightly bitter, but balanced. I rather like the overall effect.

Mouthfeel: medium body with a good level of carbonation and a nice, smooth creaminess. I like it.

Overall: after the aroma, I was a bit worried as to how successful this beer might be. If you are not into fruit beers, then this is probably not for you. However, I do feel that they largely met the promise of the name; I will note, however, that there's not a whole lot of Belgian-type character here. On the whole, though, I like it and would have it again.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 18:39:59 | More by flagmantho

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.69/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours an opaque yet clear very dark brown (approaching black) in color with some light amounts of gentle visible carbonation and some cola brown highlights. The beer has a creamy finger tall light tan head that slowly reduces to a very thin film covering the entire surface of the beer with a small slightly thicker patch and a thin ring at the edges of the glass, Moderate to significant amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Light to moderate aromas of dark and lightly roasted malts as well as Belgian yeast. There are lighter notes of chocolate and just a hint of raspberry.

T: Upfront there are light to moderate flavors of lightly roasted dark malts and just a light hint of Belgian yeast. At first there are light to moderate flavors of dark chocolate and just a hint of tart raspberry but the raspberry flavors become a bit stronger once the beer warms up. Well balanced as there is very little sweetness or bitterness in this brew.

M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Slightly smooth.

O: When this beer is cold (or even cool), the raspberry flavors and aromas are fairly subtle but once the beer warms up they become a little more pronounced. I found this beer to be enjoyable and easy to drink - reminds me of a beer that Big Boss (Raleigh, NC) had when I used to live down there...one I really enjoyed. This would be a good edition to the regular or seasonal lineup for Elysian. The alcohol is extremely well hidden in this one.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 00:47:52 | More by dbrauneis

twenty5

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +9%

05-10-2013 18:41:02 | More by twenty5

adkrogue

New York

4/5  rDev +9%

04-16-2013 16:08:24 | More by adkrogue

metter98

New York

3.66/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is very dark brown (nearly jet black) in color and poured with a half finger high dense tan head that died down, leaving a thin layer of bubbles covering the surface and a collar around the edge of the glass.
S: Light to moderate aromas of dark malts and Belgian yeast are present in the nose along with some hints of chocolate.
T: The taste is similar to the smell and has subtle notes of tart raspberries—these become stronger and linger through the finish—particularly after the beer warms up. Neither bitterness nor roasted malt flavors are perceptible.
M: It feels medium-bodied and a little smooth on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This is an enjoyable and easy-to-drink stout, but you really need to let this warm up if you want to get a lot of the raspberry flavors.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 02:56:34 | More by metter98

ThatCracker

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev +2.2%

03-25-2013 00:21:00 | More by ThatCracker

facundoCNB

New Jersey

4.05/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

a brownish black pour with a finger of tan head, great retention and nice amounts of lacing. smell is mostly of chocolate, raisins, hint of raspberries, dark roasted grains. the flavor up front is bitter and earthy, as soon as it settles on the palate it's all chocolate and raspberries. this is a DELICIOUS combination of flavors.. the roasted grain bill balances it out nicely. medium body with moderate carbonation.

this is the first time i have a raspberry stout, it's usually cherry stouts and those tend to be hit or miss. this is a wonderfully balanced stout with a light raspberry tartness.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 00:19:38 | More by facundoCNB

beertunes

Washington

3.26/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Served in straight pint glass. Poured a nearly solid black, just a bit of reddish translucence at the very edges, with 1/4 inch of tan head that had moderate retention and very good lacing.

I didn't get any raspberry on the nose, a fair bit of roast, and some solid base grains, but no damn raspberry. I love raspberry! On the tongue, the beloved raspberry showed through a bit, but was dominated by the roast, which was almost coffee like.

The body was a bit light for what I look for in the style. Drinkability was decent, I drank it easily enough, but I wouldn't want 2 in a row. Overall, not bad. Certainly worth a try if you see it.

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2013 00:58:10 | More by beertunes

imperialking

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev +2.2%

03-05-2013 19:43:12 | More by imperialking

DrkNite12

New York

4.5/5  rDev +22.6%

03-03-2013 15:46:20 | More by DrkNite12

HuskyinPDX

Washington

3.51/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Bottle opened on 2.27.13

A - Pours a dark brown with a two inch foamy dark tan head with good retention.

S - Malty, nutty, chocolate, raspberry.

T - Very malty and biscuity with a hint of raspberry that lingers in the background but tends to come out more as it warms.

D - Heavier body with medium carbonation. A bit chalky in the mouth.

O - Milder stout with a small raspberry kick in the background that turns worse as it warms.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2013 05:06:46 | More by HuskyinPDX

Gonzoillini

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%

02-24-2013 00:59:53 | More by Gonzoillini

marlinsfan4

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev +2.2%

02-19-2013 04:24:46 | More by marlinsfan4

NWer

Washington

3/5  rDev -18.3%

02-18-2013 21:57:36 | More by NWer

jbaker67

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%

02-17-2013 18:56:59 | More by jbaker67

Gavage

New Jersey

3.29/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Appearance: pours a black color with a short 1/4" head that breaks down quickly.

Smell: mild chocolate and a hint of raspberries comes through to the nose.

Taste: roasted malts, soft raspberry, dark chocolate, and a moderate bitterness are the main flavor components.

Mouthfeel: medium-heavy in body. Lightly crisp to start, smoother at the finish. Long-lasting aftertaste.

Overall: a mild mannered stout that is easy to drink. Would be a good dessert beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 21:21:02 | More by Gavage

oline73

Maryland

3.76/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Poured from the bottle into a goblet.

Pours a cloudy dark brown color with a half finger of fluffy off white head that dissipates quickly. The smell is sweet with some roasted malt and a good amount of raspberries. I'm also getting a hint of dark chocolate. The flavor reminds me of a chocolate covered raspberry. There is a good combination of bitter and sweet with just enough fruit. The finish is more on the bitter side with the raspberry hanging on. The body is a bit thin and the carbonation is smooth. The amount of fruit in this beer was good. I'd have another.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2013 13:26:01 | More by oline73

Vancoubeer

Washington

3.61/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Poured into my snifter and it was dark dark brown out of the bottle and settled into a dark dank black brew in the glass with a khaki head that was not too think. About a finger thick. It faded away slowly but not like a Belgian. The smell was interesting. I got hints of coffee, chocolate, vanilla and I let the glass warm up a bit and I finally got a small whiff of raspberry. Not too strong on the nose. Meh...not to impressed. Smells like a stout. For the taste is where the berry exists. Its not a sour nor sweet berry but its a light fruity flavor that stands out in the roasted malts that yield flavors of that coffee and chocolate I got on the nose. Nothing stellar but it has the Belgian characteristics I was expecting to notice at the end of the gulp. To compare it has similar characteristics of Widmer's Raspberry stout but without the alcohol kick. The mouthfeel is full on. Thick but not highly carbonated but just enough. Nothing really unexptected but its chewy and not dry as I thought it could have been. Its ok. I just feel that Elysian went a bit overboard with this series. They did not put in the time I feel into this extreme and risky line of beers. Does this taste good? Yes but is it making me want to go buy more? No and none from this series has made me feel this way as well.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2013 03:39:08 | More by Vancoubeer

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark chestnut brown color with faint mahogany edges and a one finger tan head that immediately settles into a thin ring. Spotty lacing left behind.

Roasted dark malt aroma with vinous dark fruit and subtle spice. Some burnt toast, oatmeal, dark chocolate and coffee bean along with candy sugar, pepper, dark cherry, raisin and raspberry. Slightly smokey with faint lactose and lighter chocolate as well but the balance of roasted malt and dark fruits dominate the nose.

Medium bodied with a strong smokey, roasted roasted malt presence that's countered by the Belgian yeast, spices and dark fruit notes. Very similar to the aroma with burnt toast, oatmeal, dark chocolate and espresso bean followed by pepper, licorice, candy sugar and dark berries. Slightly syrupy/medicinal with strong raspberry sweetness lingering in the finish. Decently balanced but the raspberry/dark fruits don't come in until the end of the sip and the roast is a bit too strong in this store for my preference. Still, it's a decent beer that's fairly easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 09:37:33 | More by corby112

AntLeatherface

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev +2.2%

01-08-2013 04:03:42 | More by AntLeatherface

hannaho

Washington

4.25/5  rDev +15.8%

01-06-2013 22:50:20 | More by hannaho

TheBrewo

Michigan

3.45/5  rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This brew was served from the tap at The Blind Tiger in New York, NY. It arrived in a generic tulip, showing a deep black coloring, with cola lightness around the edges. The pour produced a one finger head of light brown bubbles, with okay retention. This left faint patterns of lacing etched about the glass. No haze or sediment was noted, and carbonation looked light. The aroma gave surprising paleness of malts alongside more roasty coffee grain. The latter afforded a faint char. Otherwise, the nose was rounded out by bittered Belgian yeast, light bready butters, almond nuttiness, and mild raspberry flesh. Our first impression was that the flavoring was on the lighter side, but with nice raspberry air on the back. The flavoring opened with soured lactics, mineral water wash, roasty coffee malts, and borderline Bretty yeast. The peak came with the sourness of fermented raspberries and fusel alcohols, cutting the roast with sweets and sours. We ended on a raw note, with raspberry seed, fresh red raspberry sugar, soured Belgian yeast, wheaty muddiness, coffee malts with a decent with a decent roast, and walnut warmth. The aftertaste breathed of that same raspberry fruitiness, minerals, paler malty bite, and a light grassy hop out of left field. The body was light to medium, and the carbonation was average. Pop and smack were crisp on the swallow, with decent cream and froth. There was a light toasty astringency around the mouth, but no real froth or coating to speak of. The abv was fine, and the beer drank okay.

Overall, what we liked best about this beer was the nice raspberry flavoring on the back, which flourished a bit more palpably with warmth. At the same token, however, we do wish that the fruitiness was more robust to help compete and juice-up those drying, puckering malts. The nose was weak, and the feel was bizarrely dry, making this a curious beer, but not something to fight over.

Serving type: on-tap

12-28-2012 17:19:45 | More by TheBrewo

DrunkinYogi

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +9%

12-26-2012 15:08:00 | More by DrunkinYogi

NickThePyro

Washington

3.75/5  rDev +2.2%

12-24-2012 03:28:02 | More by NickThePyro

RoryOMoore

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +15.8%

12-22-2012 01:51:35 | More by RoryOMoore