Great Lakes Blackout Stout - Great Lakes Brewing Company

rappmann

Ontario (Canada)

3.7/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a growler the day after purchase into a pint glass. Reviewed from notes.

A - Dark black, no light is getting through, one finger of dark tan/mocha head, that doesn't stay long.

S - Dark chocolate, smokiness, maltiness. A hint of coffee in there somewhere too.

T - Bitter chocolate, nicely balanced, but it's a bit hot in the finish, good on a cold winter night.

M - Heavy and thick, this beer is a sipper, and thankfully I had a friend to split the growler with.

O - a good beer, but not an outstanding beer. Glad I got to try it, but for me it didn't quite live up to the hype.

Serving type: growler

12-08-2012 17:09:14 | More by rappmann

Tilley4

Tennessee

4.05/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Picked up a growler of this at Chuck's in BG a few weeks ago and cracked it recently... Reviewing from notes...

Glugs out of the growler a thick viscous black with the aromas of chocolate, anise, and a bit of raisins... a fairly interesting combo...

Smooth and silky throughout, the drinkability is good on this stout... Slightly sweet and smoky with the anise coming through strong on the finish as well as the chocolate...

I had no problem finishing this growler off in record time... Enjoyed every sip as well..

Serving type: growler

04-01-2011 20:29:56 | More by Tilley4

hwy61mb

Michigan

4/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I went to the Great Lakes Brewing Company and had an excellent dinner on February 5th. After dinner I purchased a growler of Blackout Stout. Today I opened that growler and poured the contents into a pair of snifters for me and guest.

The initial pour was violent and left quite a large head. This head soon disappeared, giving way to a fair amount of lacing. The beer is very dark, opaque, black, with a khaki head.

The predominant smell is coffee. I also smell booze and some unplaceable sweetness. It's also a little nutty in the nose.

The taste is delicious. It hits the top of my tongue and coats the inside of my mouth with dark roasty stoutness. The carbonation is more than I expected. Coffee is also very prevalent in the taste. I also taste a little licorice. This is very drinkable for a Russian Imperial Stout, I will drink at least another glass before the night is out.

Serving type: growler

02-12-2011 02:05:37 | More by hwy61mb

aasher

Indiana

4.35/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer was poured from a growler, courtesy of my good friend Matt (MTC1287). It poured the blackest of blacks with a one finger dark khaki head. It looked great. This brew smells of deep roasted dark malts with a great amount of fresh coffee beans. I feel the caffeine going through my nostrils. The flavor is very heavy on the coffee and deep roasted notes. This beer is heavy! It tastes like my French roast coffee every morning. If only I could switch them out. It's superb. Mad props to Matt for the growler. It's full bodied and drinks with a lot of carbonation and is very crisp. This beer is very drinkable for the content and is an exceptional RIS. I feel I'd rate it even higher with age. Great beer by Great Lakes!

Serving type: growler

01-29-2011 08:43:37 | More by aasher

bamadog

Kentucky

4.55/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Super pumped to be getting this in a growler, and it makes me just that much more excited for the bottles to be hitting the shelves again next month! Pour is from the growler to a snifter - this is my second opportunity to review this fine stout from different containers.

Appearance: Just like the name suggests, this beer is pitch black and the body is entirely opaque; starts with a 1/2 finger dark tan head that looks creamy but fades to nothing in a matter of moments; no real lacing to speak of at all either.

Smell: Quite potent and robust; lots of deep and dark bittersweet chocolate scents that are slightly syrupy and lots of burnt/roasted coffee ground aspects; there is also a light and slightly earthy bitter hoppiness lingering around in the nose as well.

Taste: Outstanding, much like the smell... Tons of those deep and dark roasted and toasted malts combine with that bittersweet baker's chocolate, backed up with a very slight earthy hoppiness and a faint flavor of alcohol way in the back (yet still very well blended); slight flavors of vanilla and wood as it warms.

Mouthfeel: Mouthfeel could be just a little thicker, but it's very smooth and creamy overall; carbonation is soft and allows the the body that fluid creaminess and it leaves a firm and solid stickiness all over the mouth; the belly is left quite warm from the 9% ABV.

Drinkability: Easily my favorite overall RIS and I'm so excited for this time of year as I'll be able to add to my vertical of it; amazing flavors and smells from my go-to brewery since getting back East that create the perfect cold winter night brew. Thank you GLBC, thank you.

Serving type: growler

01-26-2010 04:38:29 | More by bamadog

pwoods

Ohio

4.28/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

64oz. growler, filled at Party Source, poured into a tulip.

A: Pours a solid black with no visibility. 1 finger of deep mocha head forms after a hard pour. Some retention and decent lacing.

S: Very bitter coffee notes with plenty of charred, chalky malts. A touch of sweetness in the back.

T/M: A nice mixture between sweet chocolate and strong bitter coffee. Hops seem a bit on the weak side. Body is above medium but not quite full. Carbonation is very low but seems to add a nice smoothness to things.

D: Tasty and pretty easy to drink but lacks a bit of hop balance.

Serving type: growler

02-25-2008 04:04:14 | More by pwoods

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A 1/2 gallon screwtop growler filled at Capone's in Norristown, PA. The M and D evaluations are the same as my earlier on-tap review.

A: The stout is a thick oily black color that allows absolutely nothing through it. The head is a thick white color that is large but doesn't lace.

S: The aroma is acrid burnt malts with a subtle wine-like character that mixes with some sweet chocolate. The alcohol is not shy.

T: The stout lives up the 'Imperial' moniker. There are dark and dense malts that provide a strong flavor base, highlighting some chocolate and caramel sweetness that mixes well with the sharp bitterness of the burnt malts. Some thick bready malts escape burning and add a dry alefruit element. All these flavors bask in the strength of the alcohol.

M: The mouthfeel is both dry and sharp and exquisitely lush, providing burnt, sweet and acidic flavors.

D: At 9%, this is not a beer to pound but every sip of the pint was delicious.

Serving type: growler

03-30-2007 00:46:54 | More by akorsak

Phatz

Pennsylvania

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

WOW. Now that is nice.

Appearance: Pour an absolute black with a frothy tan head.

Smell: Chocolate roasty malts cocoa and a touch of smokiness.

Taste & Mouthfeel: The flavor is exceptional but in the smooth hearty mouthfeel the whole experience in the mouth from texture to taste is magnificent. Dark roast malts chocolate shavings caramel licorice all flavor the cheeks with a smooth soft chewy rich milk chocolaty beer. The hops are light but show through at the back end and the aftertaste is just right dry. nice!

Drinkability: This is a beer I could drink day and night, though at 9% ABV it would make for a rather un-productive life =)

Hope this is helpful.
Cheers!

Serving type: growler

03-29-2007 21:48:31 | More by Phatz

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