Great Lakes Blackout Stout - Great Lakes Brewing Company

pmarlowe

California

4.14/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Best by 05/05/12. Tasted alongside BA Blackout Stout. Teku glass.

A: Pours mostly black, a dark coffee brown around the edges, with a half finger of light brown head which recedes quickly to a thick ring. Quite good clarity. Good retention for what's there, and a few streaks and dots of lacing.

S: Roasted malt and a little chocolate, *slight* soy sauce, and cream.

T: Coffee-forward with a little roasted malt and milk chocolate, and more milk chocolate on a long finish. Nicely balanced, all three flavors come through but none dominates.

M: Medium-light body and medium-high carbonation which softens over the course of the pour.

O: Overall, a tasty, well balanced stout. Smells a little oxidized, but that may be due to being after the best by date (oops). I'd be happy to have regular access to this.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2013 04:42:52 | More by pmarlowe

MI_gal616

Michigan

4.06/5  rDev -4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A beautiful black stout with little to no head.

I'm surprised the smell is not stronger, but there are some good roated malts and deep, dark chocolate notes. Smell could be reduced since best by date was 3/19 and today is 3/26.

On the palate, this becomes the beer it was talked up to me to be. Stong coffee notes, rich and super flavorful. The malt base leaves a hint of caramel right up front, but some piney hop bitterness comes through on the aftertaste, making this a classic Imperial Stout.

Full bodied and creamy with a fair bit of carbonation. Some day I would love to try this on a nitro tap, just out of curiosity.

This is a solid beer. Perfect especially since the snow just keeps falling outside my window.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2013 23:57:42 | More by MI_gal616

jjboesen

Maryland

4.64/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Ah! Here we have another wonderful brew from Great Lakes: a Blackout Stout quaffed from a snifter. It looks imposing; its’ color is as black as the night, liquid tar crowned by a sticky wisp of vanilla froth. This black beauty emits a noticeable charcoal waft; the palate is socked with subtle bits of molasses and malt that make for a chewy mouthfeel. Is that a warm brownie slowly melting in my mouth? This is an exceptional beer to say the least.

A wonderful version of an Imperial Russian Stout, one that would make any czar weep for joy.

Serving type: on-tap

03-25-2013 23:33:20 | More by jjboesen

brewskis

Indiana

4.09/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4

Pours predictably pretty dark black but does have a hint of ruby red with no head and a thin ring of lacing. Smells of milk chocolate, raisin, roasted coffee, dark bready malts, soy sauce, some pine. Taste starts with raisin, some dark chocolate, coffee. Then get more raisin, as well as plum, some pine, some breadiness. Then the finish includes, a little pine or grapefruit, roasted malt, some coffee, milk chocolate, little heat, some carmel, little soy sauce, maybe some licorice but I could just be imagining that. Pretty complex with a full body and a creamy and slick mouthfeel. Good amount of carbonation, but too much in my opinion. This is a very solid imperial stout that is on the verge of world class.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 04:17:12 | More by brewskis

sommersb

Tennessee

3.75/5  rDev -11.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Tasted On: 03-19-2013
Freshness: Best by 03-19-2013
Packaging: 12 oz. brown bottle, pry-cap
Glassware: Snifter
Purchased: Received in a trade

Appearance: Deep black and opaque beer. The thin tan head does not have much retention but leaves a fair amount of lace on the glass.

Smells are primarily coffee roast and dark maltiness. Lesser aromas include chocolate and earthy hops.

The taste has the bitterness of coffee and also bittersweet chocolates and roasted grains. The hop bitterness is fairly aggressive and unfortunately lends itself to some harshness. As the beer warms it seems to mellow a bit and becomes more approachable.

Mouthfeel is full-bodied, with carbonation in the medium or high range. The finish is dry and features coffee-like bitter roast flavors. I also get some alcohol warmth from the 9% ABV.

Overall a good stout, although in my opinion the hop bitterness is too pronounced. I've had stouts with higher IBUs that seem to be able to balance the beer better than in this example.

Thanks to buschbeer for the try!

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 05:16:29 | More by sommersb

oline73

Maryland

4/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from the bottle into a standard pint glass.

The beer pours a very dark almost black color with several fingers of thick tan head. The head fades to a nice layer rather quickly and leaves some lacing on the side of the glass. I wasn't in love with the smell of this beer. I'm getting some sweet malt and dark fruit, but there is a slightly off note that I'm having trouble describing. Fortunately, the note that I didn't like in the smell didn't show up in the taste. While this was a very roasty beer, I thought the roast was quite smooth. I'm also getting dark chocolate and some dark fruit. The finish is sweet and roasty. The alcohol is quite well hidden. I'd have another bottle in the future.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 05:01:47 | More by oline73

screamking

Ohio

4.38/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

12oz bottle poured into snifter.

Appearance-pours black with a small 1 finger khaki head which is gone in a matter of seconds. 4

Aroma-coffee, roasted malts, milk chocolate, rasians, licorice, fresh baked sugar cookies, mild vanilla. 4.5

Taste-milk chocolate right up front, light coffee, roasted malts, lots of vanilla, plum, brown sugar. 4.5

Feel-full bodied, coats palate fully and ends with a bitter blast, alcohol sneaks in at the end. 4

Overall- Great Lakes makes great beer and this one falls right in line. As this beer warms its vanilla flavor seems to become more prevalent. Almost reminiscent of a bourbon aged stout. This one will sneak up on you, tasting higher alcohol than 9% would suggest. This is a great RIS, one of the top tier out there. 4.25

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 06:38:56 | More by screamking

Florida9

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

2011. On tap at Durty Nellie's.

A: Fully opaque black. Served with a fairly large, dark mocha colored, bubbly head. Lots of lacing. Much more than to be expected for the style.

S: heavily roasted malts, coffee, and a rather perceptible metallic tinge.

T: taste is much smoother. Roasted malts, coffee, slight sweetness, molasses, brown sugar. There is a slight hop character.

M: Full bodied, low carbonation, mild bitterness

O: a very good beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-02-2013 23:02:46 | More by Florida9

barczar

Kentucky

4.19/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2011 vintage.

Pours an opaque black brown with a frothy half inch cappuccino head that dissipates slowly leaving thick sheets of lacing.

Deep roasted malt, chocolate, vanilla, and light coffee ground notes form the initial aroma. Fruity scents of dark cherries and raspberries add complexity.

Flavor is initially fruity and somewhat alcoholic, followed by malt sweetness and a roasty, somewhat dry finish. Dark berries a touch of citrus underlie the profile, with burnt breadcrust and coffee forming the backbone, complemented by light chocolate and toast notes. A bit on the sweet side.

Body is fairly viscous, with carbonation that's higher than expected, and significant alcohol heat.

More fruity than I recall. Carbonation is a bit high, and alcohol is borderline fusel, even with some age. Still, fairly complex brew with some outstanding flavors.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 22:20:54 | More by barczar

C20Percent

Virginia

4.24/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A: Pours a darks brown with a 1/4 finger's worth of tan head on top. Clean body. Head is bubbly enough. I think lacing will tell the story. Kind of just above average for me. Lacing is thin. So, appearance is the low point of this beer.

S: Roastiness mixed with some sweetness. Vanilla. Slight hop aroma. Nice chocolate backbone. Quality smells all around -- work well together. One doesn't overpower the other.

T: Chocoately flavors mixed with a nice roasted malt flavor. Some vanilla, yet. Nice, slightly bitter finish. Can't tell if the sweetness is coming from the chocolate of the vanilla. Pretty good, though.

M: Almost a heavy body. Beer not thin by any means. Smooth and creamy -- thumbs up there. Very nice carbonation combined with a good buttery feel. Coats the mouth in goodness. Chewiness is slightly odd -- brings out the alcohol instead of the malts. A bit disappointing, but otherwise very very good.

O: I let this brew sit a while. It mellowed out the malts nicely. Good brew. Would definitely recommend. Don't think it's at the level of Old Rasputin, but quite good.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 19:18:17 | More by C20Percent

superspak

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 ounce bottle into snifter, bottled on 10/28/2012. Pours pitch black color with a 1 finger dense dark khaki head with good retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass. Aromas of big dark chocolate, cocoa, roasted malt, coffee, toast, toffee, raisin, pine, floral, light anise, dark bread, and herbal earthiness. Damn nice aromas with good complexity and balance. Taste of big milk chocolate, cocoa, roasted malt, coffee, dark bread, toffee, light char, light smoke, pine, floral, and herbal earthiness. Fair amount of roasted bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of chocolate, cocoa, coffee, roasted malt, toffee, light char, light smoke, dark bread, floral, and herbal on the finish for a good bit. Damn nice flavor robustness, balance, and complexity; with zero cloying flavors present after the finish. Medium carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a creamy and fairly slick mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is an excellent Russian imperial stout. Great balance and complexity of flavors; and extremely smooth to sip on. A highly enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2013 05:21:35 | More by superspak

Scotchboy

Idaho

3.99/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

My first time trying this: thanks to two awesome BA's for the bottles! Poured into my Rock Island snifter...

A: Pours dark brown, but somewhat lighter that I expected. Still, nearly opaque black in the glass.

S: Semi-sweet malty profile with underlying impressions of roast; dark caramel, chocolate, molasses and brown sugar. Definite RIS profile; agreeable, but lacking in muscle IMO.

T: More coffee is found here, interwoven with a lot of the same flavors from the nose; darker chocolate, caramel and molasses (I really get a lot of this in this particular beer), possibly anise? on the finish.

MF: Creamy medium/full mouthfeel with lighter carbonation and just a hint of alcohol.

O: Not as roast-prominent as I thought it'd be...moderate sweetness. Even with the two strikes against it (look and lack of roast) this thing is still mighty tasty and deserved of a spot in the BoF Top 100.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2013 15:48:33 | More by Scotchboy

Utica_Brew_Review

New York

3.38/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25

Great dark black appearance with a caramel head reminiscent of espresso crema. Roasted chocolaty aroma. Dark roasted chocolate and nutty taste with a creamy aftertaste and that 9% ABV comes through. Great smooth mouthfeel. Finishes true but a bit drier.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 06:51:53 | More by Utica_Brew_Review

thlayli87

New Jersey

3.58/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Black with brown at the edges of the glass. Thin tan head that doesn't last long. Slight lacing.

S - Dominated by roasty malts, hint of coffee, fig, and alcohol.

T - Roasted malt; bitterness throughout; lots of roasty flavors bordering on burnt; hint of sweetness mid-sip. Alcohol is well hidden.

M - Rich and somewhat creamy.

O - Solid imperial stout. Not the best I've had, but I would get this again.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 18:21:05 | More by thlayli87

Mgm54

New York

4.4/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Serving Type - 12oz bottle

A - Blackout, nice tan head, more head than expected

S - roasted chocolate, slight burnt notes, bits of dark fruit

T - creamy bits of chocolate up front, then burnt notes take over, with bits chocolate and dark fruits. Ends with chocolate with fading burnt notes. Taste great.

M - a bit creamy, but not too much. just the right amount for the taste.

O - amazing stout. It reminds me FBS, but less chocolate. If FBS is a little to sweet for you, try this.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2013 05:02:43 | More by Mgm54

notchucknorris

California

4.43/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a slightly thin looking deep brown color with a thin tan head. Leaves some thin patches of lace down the glass.

S: Heavily roasted malt, a touch of smoke, char, some dark roasted coffee and just a hint of blackberries. A bit faint, but it's a really nice smell.

T: Opens with a lot of roasted malt. Quickly moves to sweeter dark and milk chocolate flavors. Finishes off with a hit of chocolate cake, and then fades into some charred wood and hop resin. A really great RIS.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2013 23:00:19 | More by notchucknorris

BasterdInABasket

Wisconsin

4.06/5  rDev -4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

2012 bottle poured into New Belgium Globe Glass
A- Black in color with dark brown highlights on edges, thin tannish head, little retention, minimal spotty lacing
S- Mostly roasted malts, some bitter chocolate, good but not very big or complex
T- Big roasted flavor, a lot of bitterness for a RIS, chocolate becomes more present as it warms and is very good
M- Very smooth and creamy works great with chocolate, a little chewy, medium body, pretty drinakble
O- Roasty, Chocolatey and Bitter, Not a huge Imperial Stout but very good and will be looking for it next release.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 04:19:55 | More by BasterdInABasket

BrownAleMale

Wisconsin

4.3/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle poured into a Sprecher snifter glass

Appearance- Black in color but some light passes through the edges. Almost a 1 finger tan head that basically completely dissipates and peaves no real lacing.

Smell- Big roasty, chocolate and coffee notes.

Taste- Woah, a big roast bomb! The chocolate and coffee sweetness offset for a beautiful marriage of flavor. No real hops is detected.

Mouthfeel- The lighter side of full body which I like as it is more drinkable. Also, good carbonation offsets the creamyness. A very very nice warming sensation hits the back of the tounge and chest.

Overall- This is a true stout with no gimmicks! Roast, chocolate and coffee malts that perfectly balance and create a wonderful sensation.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 00:06:49 | More by BrownAleMale

Vonerichs

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Deep brown with mohagany edges. There's very little head.

The nose has loads of sweet chocolate cake and coffee, tiramisu, and carmalized sugar. There's a hint if blackberry.

The taste has coffee and chocolate with a light smoky roast and bitter hoppy bite in the finish. The alcohol leaves a burn.

Smooth and creamy mouthfeel with good carbonation.

A damn fine RIS with pronounced flavors and aroma. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 01:55:20 | More by Vonerichs

devilben02

North Carolina

3.45/5  rDev -18.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours from the bottle with a deep brown, nearly black color, and is topped by a creamy, cream-colored head. The aroma is largely a dark, sweet combination of caramel and molasses sweetness, with some bittersweet chocolate. The flavor is a bit more complex, with characteristics of roasted, almost smoky malts, brown sugar, and some peppery, herbal hops, but there is also some lingering bitterness that seems almost metallic, and a noticeable hit of alcohol. The fine carbonation does a nice job of not masking this varied flavor profile, and the body isn't too heavy. Overall, this beer has a lot of what you'd expect from a solid imperial stout, but it doesn't have anything extra to make it exceptional.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 15:20:27 | More by devilben02

tectactoe

Michigan

4.43/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Jet-black pour with a light tan head, decent retention without much lacing being left along the glass. Aroma is full of creamy roastiness; a nice campfire sweetness with burnt, roasted barley, sweet chocolates, some char, and woody tones. The nose is heavy and robust, sure to please any big time stout fan. Blackout stout is no joke - the beer is very silky and smooth on the tongue, roasted barley hits first in large quantities, followed by some dirty and earthy flavors, again, reminiscent of a campfire smoke-out. Hints of smoke lay in the background; halfway through, more malty sweetness comes out in the form of black licorice, dates, grape skins, coffee loaded with cream and sugar, molasses, and syrup. The sweetness is apparent but never sickening or cloying thanks to the alcohol and hop profile. The alcohol is warm but not hot, and the hops are a bit flowery and dry, providing a bit of bitterness to combat the sweetness. Aftertaste lays heavily on the roasted side with some fading char and light ashy bitterness. Body is on the thicker side, silky, smooth, creamy, medium carbonation.

Hot damn, Great Lakes Brewing Company knows what they're doing. Nearly every brew I try by them, I am utterly impressed. They continue to deliver, brew after brew, style after style, and Blackout Stout is no exception. I wish this beer were a little easier to find.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 21:22:10 | More by tectactoe

KYGunner

Kentucky

4.28/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Nice thick, creamy khaki head, there were laces of brown through the thickness. There was no other tone other than jet black! This is a real stout though less syrupy than some.

The scent is of a chalky cocoa. Very little else.

The taste is far more complex, far more balanced than the scent. I get charred malts, smoky grains and even a bit of maple. There's undertones of chocolate but the burnt maltiness shines through. This is very well constructed though perhaps a touch thin in the mouthfeel.

I hope to try the barrel aged because this sets well for that sort of product.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 01:28:00 | More by KYGunner

socon67

New York

4.03/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Cracked for New Year's Eve.

A - Black pour with a cola colored foam that settles quickly. Lacing is patchy. Minimal carbonation.

S - Scents of roasted malt, coffee, and dark chocolate come ot the nose. There is also a sweet smell of blackberries.

T - Sweet flavor of berries, roasted malt and fresh coffee. Has a smoky quality of hickory logs by the fire. Very nice complexity on this stout.

M - Smooth like silk, and leaves all kinds of flavors long after the beer is gone. Perfect as a sipper, and meant to enjoy during a cold winter.

O - Perfect beer to welcome a New Year. Another great creation from GL. These guys haven't disappointed me yet.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 04:56:15 | More by socon67

chugalug06

Colorado

4.13/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

nice one finger, caramel/espresso colored, foamy-soapy head. Brew is pitch black. Lacing is null.

Roasty, smokey, caramel, (slight) licorice, dark chocolate, charcoal, grapey, chalky

Whoa. Solid. Flavor is even better then the aroma.. Very nice, smooth, silky, dark, deep, roasty, true to the nose.. Light(ish)medium carbonation, heavy, thin, ricey, good.

Recommended for a stronger RIS, it could use a bit more melding in the mouthfeel, but the brew is still quite nice and hits the spot on a very cold day.. Happy New Year.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 21:48:19 | More by chugalug06

tigg924

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: black in color, 1/2 inch head, opaque, medium carbonation

Smell: roasted malt, sweet cream and sugar

Taste: dark and sweet chocolate, coffee, roasted malt, a good dose of earthy hops, and light caramel

Mouthfeel: heavy bodied, medium-low carbonation,chewy, sweet with distinct bitterness

Overall: A nice and hoppy imperial stout that shows off multiple layers as it warms. A great winter beer. I would certainly pop one of these each weekend if it was available here.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 16:59:08 | More by tigg924