Great Lakes Blackout Stout - Great Lakes Brewing Company

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

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

From BeerAdvocate Magazine Volume II, Issue II:

Brewed in dedication of the "Blackout Of 2003" which turned the lights off for about 50 million people. Pours off thick and produces a tight, tiny-bubbled tan lace. A shade or two from pitch black, some ruby highlights are noticeable. Aromas of burnt sugar, unsweetened dark chocolate, medium-roasted coffee and fresh black berries. Extremely smooth and creamy with a slick full body. Hop bitterness becomes pronounced right in the middle with suggestions of orange and mint. Maltiness drops layers of sweetness and roasted/burnt flavors with hint of chocolate cake, dark molasses and freshly-used coffee grounds. Ghost-like smokiness. Some alcohol warmth is present with some dark berry esters. The burnt character peaks toward the end but never becomes acrid or overbearing. Finishes a little sweet.

Wow, very impressive, and right on-target for the Imperial Stout style. A little deceiving, the alcohol is noticeable but clean and keeps this beer within a very drinkable state.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2009 19:36:02 | More by BeerAdvocate

Jason

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Presentation: 12 oz brown long neck bottle with a freshness date on the label. I am sure this beer will do well many months after the freshness date has expired.

Appearance: Thickly cropped tan head forms with a trail of spider web like lace. Midnight black color lets no light through.

Smell: Hints of charcoal and black currants with a faint smokiness in the back.

Taste & Mouth Feel: Creamy dark chocolate flavor is dominant with burnt grain and dark roasted coffee within. Hops are a bit dim with some oily residue and bitterness in the back end.

Drinkability & Notes: Not bad, not bad at all … had to pair this with some chocolate and it did very well with the dark chocolate.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2004 03:07:42 | More by Jason

ValpoExpo

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -11.3%

06-17-2013 20:08:14 | More by ValpoExpo

justin_nj

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Bottle dated "please enjoy by 4/28/13".

A: Pours black with a reddish tinge around the edge of the glass. Minimal head that dissipated quickly and left a ring of small bubbles around the surface of the glass. Decent lacing.

S: A bit of coffee, dark chocolate, cream, roasted malt, and a hint of soy sauce that I picked up on the first smell of the beer but could barely find again. Nothing spectacular but a nice smelling stout.

T: Coffee bitterness up front that turns into sweet chocolate in the middle of the mouth. The huge roast qualities come in immediately as you swallow the beer. Dark fruits, raisins, figs, a hint of dark cherry are apparent as the beer warms up as well as sweet coffee. Slight alcohol as it goes down but it's a very drinkable imperial stout. Coffee and hop bitterness, and roasted/burnt malt linger long after each sip.

M: Medium body that coats your entire mouth. Very creamy and slick. Pop of carbonation as it goes down. Carbonation makes it seem lighter bodied than it actually is. The alcohol is noticeable and provides a slight bit of warming, but not nearly to the point where you have to sip on it.

O: Highly enjoyable. This beer sticks around on your palate for quite a while. It's a very roasty and bitter stout. A bit over carbonated for me, but I'd drink this any time the opportunity presents itself. Great Lakes never disappoints.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2013 04:02:14 | More by justin_nj

smartassboiler

Illinois

4/5  rDev -5.4%

06-15-2013 17:21:08 | More by smartassboiler

riemster

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%

06-14-2013 04:24:46 | More by riemster

Jason1337

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -5.4%

06-12-2013 02:30:26 | More by Jason1337

goblin7704

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%

06-11-2013 22:23:10 | More by goblin7704

ThreeKingdoms

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

06-11-2013 16:12:05 | More by ThreeKingdoms

EdTheEdge

California

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

06-10-2013 12:54:46 | More by EdTheEdge

jarrgal

North Dakota

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%

06-10-2013 03:13:33 | More by jarrgal

blackcloud

Alaska

4/5  rDev -5.4%

06-08-2013 06:29:31 | More by blackcloud

thehappybelgian

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

06-08-2013 03:24:04 | More by thehappybelgian

dbc5

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%

06-06-2013 03:09:47 | More by dbc5

jkane101

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -11.3%

06-05-2013 23:02:42 | More by jkane101

thegerm87

Connecticut

4/5  rDev -5.4%

06-04-2013 01:22:16 | More by thegerm87

nineworldseries

Ohio

4/5  rDev -5.4%

06-02-2013 23:25:34 | More by nineworldseries

Ragnarok88

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -5.4%

06-01-2013 19:15:03 | More by Ragnarok88

Jasonrm72

Colorado

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

06-01-2013 01:46:49 | More by Jasonrm72

sir_rucker

Ohio

5/5  rDev +18.2%

05-30-2013 20:01:06 | More by sir_rucker

firstlighthiker

Tennessee

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%

05-29-2013 17:52:47 | More by firstlighthiker

gtermi

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%

05-28-2013 01:17:07 | More by gtermi

RayUF07

Florida

4/5  rDev -5.4%

05-25-2013 05:26:40 | More by RayUF07

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

nstorts

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%

05-21-2013 02:07:06 | More by nstorts