Marooned On Hog Island - 21st Amendment Brewery

MusicaleMike

Pennsylvania

2.75/5  rDev -29.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

Poured 12 oz. can into my pint glass. Good two fingers of mocha colored-head on top of a light black body that shows mahogany hues when held up to the light. Shows initial signs of excellent lacing.

Aroma is pretty tantalizing, with notes of dark chocolate, milk sugar, nuts and a little vanilla ice cream. It's not a very strong aroma, but decent for the style.

Taste is a bit of a disappointment. A little milk chocolate taste up front, which leads to a somewhat anti-climactic finish. Where is the richness promised by the aroma? A little chocolate malt, and I don't get much of the mineral qualities that are the signature of the Oyster Stout. Bitterness in the finish, as is the alcohol.

Carbonation is decent, if maybe a bit much. Medium to full-bodied. Actually, the mouthfeel helps to lighten this beer and make it feel like something less than almost 8% alcohol by volume.

I am comparing this to only a few other Oyster Stouts that I have had before (Yards Love Stout, San Francisco Oyster Stout, Porterhouse Oyster Stout) and this is certainly the weakest I have had. The extra alcohol did not seem to help. I was looking for something easier to drink, with a good bit of dryness and mineral-like qualities and 21st Amendment failed to deliver the goods.

Serving type: can

01-13-2013 01:45:50 | More by MusicaleMike

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

2.8/5  rDev -28%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

12 oz can poured into a pint glass.

A: Pours a very dark red color. It's not very opaque considering it's a nearly 8% stout. It also seems to feature somewhat strong carbonation if I look closely in the glass. The head is a weak looking one finger mocha color with low retention.

S: Seems to be a sweet stout, with primarily chocolate, hazelnut, and faint vanilla. The oysters come through quite well, as a sort of salty, mineraly aroma. Could be a bit less metallic, but that's just nitpicking.

T: Surprisingly, the flavor is sitting on the opposite end of the stout spectrum of the aroma, with tons of roasted malts, lactose cream, and coffee. It comes across as smoky at times, too. After the initial finish, the mineral profile comes through. The flavor has a bit too much metallic presence to be great, especially on the aftertaste. Really, it just doesn't work for me.

M: Tingly and astringent. It seems dry at first, but after a while, the charred, metallic aftertastes seemingly introduces a syrupy quality to the texture that I'm not a fan of.

O: I like oysters. I love stouts. Sadly, I don't love this; even 'like' is too strong of a word here. Just too disjointed for my tastes.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 21:08:00 | More by ThisWangsChung

gabrielsyme

Virginia

3/5  rDev -22.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Really didn't do too much for me which is strange because I enjoy English Stouts. Poured from 12oz can into a pint glass. Color is dark brown, little foam. Flavor is mostly malt sweetness, maybe some caramel but nothing too complex. Easy to drink. Possibly I served too cold.

Serving type: can

03-25-2013 00:04:18 | More by gabrielsyme

ryan1788a5

Massachusetts

3.21/5  rDev -17.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25

12oz can poured into a snifter.

A: Dark, muddy brown. Hazy. One finger of tan head settles rather quickly. A broken pattern of spotty lacing remains on the glass.

S: Lots of caramel and toffee on the nose. French roast and milk chocolate in the background. Subtle cola and molasses. Hints of fig, berry, and bruised apple. Good whiff of salty brine. Slight tobacco and earthy, leafy hops.

T: Cocoa and milk chocolate. Burnt bread crust. Cola and molasses. Powerful hit of salty brine. Tobacco and leafy hops mingle with all of this and create a sense of burnt vegetation on the palate. Smokey.Tight burst of raspberry. Slight spike of alcohol. Bruised apple. Finishes with milk chocolate and a lasting salty brine.

M: Medium bodied. Creamy and full. Restrained scrubbing carbonation. Warmth from the alcohol. Very smooth. A nice mouthfeel.

O: The brine gets to be overwhelming at times. The better oyster stouts I've had would combat this with a good dose of burnt malts and the accompanying acidity. There just isn't enough of that present here to keep it in check.

Serving type: can

04-11-2013 01:35:00 | More by ryan1788a5

Sam21

Connecticut

3.23/5  rDev -17%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3

12oz can. Canned 11/19/12. Poured into snifter.

A- Pours dark brown with an opaque black appearance in the glass. Certainly not black, but no light gets through once in the glass. Thick creamy tan head with excellent retention. Leaves a sheet of lacing on the glass and is slow to recede.

S- The first thing to hit my nose is roasted malts. There is a charred quality to it that sits atop a nice chocolatey sweetness. Good balance there. As it warms up over a few minutes, there is a bit of a savory meaty aroma. Perhaps it is a touch briny. It's hard to place, but it must be the oysters. As it warms up, there is a definite saltiness behind the chocolate and charred malt aromas. It's not overly pungent and adds to the complexity of the nose in a good way.

T- The taste starts off sweet. Chocolate, a touch light sweet fruits, and no real roast flavors. It feels like there is a bit of a gap in the middle of this beers flavor development. It starts off sweet and never builds or goes anywhere from there. The charred roast flavors are not present in the way I expected. Instead, the sweetness remains the constant and there are some mild bitterness notes. I could only describe it as silky, simple, sweet, and straightforward. It's really not taking off for me. I was not expecting it to, but it tastes a bit one dimensional to me. It finishes a bit watery, meaning, lacking in any real finish. It just fades off. As I let it sit in the glass, the flavors do seem to open up a touch more. This is at room temperature.

MF- This is a highlight of this beer. Really creamy, smooth, and wonderful. The carbonation is in balance to the overall viscosity.

O- It's a very easy beer to drink. It certainly isn't unpleasant, but it does not have anything that makes it stand out for me.

Serving type: can

03-13-2013 00:49:36 | More by Sam21

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.28/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce can - $2.99 at Total Wine & More in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Appearance: Pours a black body with a frothed, light tan-hued head. A little spittle of lace on the way down.

Smell: Soundly malty with notes of chocolate, roasted malt, and even a nice, nutty oat scent, with a far-off, skanky whiff of the sea.

Taste: Roast, baker's chocolate, caramel and an additional pinch of table sugar. Touch of nutty oats. Fairly sweet, really. Light dark fruitiness. Restrained hop character with enough bitterness to edge out the sweetness somewhat. A little bit of mineral, some saltiness from the brine quality. Roasty, chocolaty, lightly briny finish with still more of that sweetness.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium-light carbonation.

Overall: Shell done, 21st Amendment Brewery.

Serving type: can

12-25-2012 04:28:37 | More by ChainGangGuy

JohnGalt1

Idaho

3.34/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz can picked up over the weekend... Pours with brownish head.. nice lacing and retention..

The nose is pretty much expected stout elements.. cocoa and black malt with some dark caramel notes.. more burnt sugar with warmth.

Flavor is a bit disappointing.. lesser stout qualities for sure.. some dark fruitiness shows with warmth.. rum raisin.. light smoke on the finish..

Body is medium with decent carbonation..

I did not know what to think about this one... I have enjoyed plenty of oysters in my day and grew up near the sea... but I got very little of anything with salinity in this brew.

3.5/3.25/3.25/3.5/3.5

Serving type: can

01-15-2013 06:52:42 | More by JohnGalt1

UCLABrewN84

California

3.4/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Canned on 11/19/12.

Pours an opaque black with a foamy dark khaki head that settles to a partial film on top of the beer. Foamy rings of lace line the glass on the drink down. Smell is of dark roasted malt, cocoa, and a funky fruit aroma. Taste is much the same with slightly fruity and char flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of roasty bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp but almost flat mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer that is fairly drinkable but it smells a bit spoiled or something in my opinion.

Serving type: can

03-21-2013 03:05:24 | More by UCLABrewN84

watsonmd

Georgia

3.41/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Dark brown/black, tan head, nice thick lacing

S: Chocolaty, otherwise not a lot else jumping out.

T: Chocolate, dry, coffee, malty.

M: lively carbonation, creamy but thin. Nice full feel. But does not linger like some stouts.

O: Nice with a meal, but not as strong a stand alone beer as some of the other stouts this season. Glad I tried it, but not going to be a staple.

Serving type: can

03-04-2013 05:25:06 | More by watsonmd

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Pours jet black with a light brown head. In the aroma, a light roast and a note of caramel. In the taste, a nce caramel like roast, and a pinch of saltiness in the end. A small bite, with a lighter bodied mouthfeel, with a dry roast in the aftertaste. Mellow and decent, lighter body and would never guess it is almost 8%.

Serving type: can

01-12-2013 15:05:36 | More by OWSLEY069

dailyminefield

North Carolina

3.44/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Can into Snifter
Pours a white head, very dark body. Chocolate dominates the nose. The mouthfeel is very thin, drinks more like a low 5% rather than a stout just shy of 8%. I can't detect the oyster, but a bitter chocolate taste is definitely there. Very drinkable, especially considering the alc/vol. 21st Ammendment is a solid brewery and this reinforces my belief.

Serving type: can

03-02-2013 05:26:20 | More by dailyminefield

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

LOOK: Dark brown and free from sediment. Off white head forms and leaves a little lace.
SMELL: Roasted, but also slightly fruity and a little musty.
TASTE: Well pronounced nutty and roasted flavor, touch of root beer, hints of alcohol but pretty tame. Mild hops presence with a restrained bitterness. This is a pretty well balanced brew.
FEEL: Full bodied, even carbonation, smooth and creamy.
OVERALL: A different take on a stout. Still dials in the right mix of flavors to be a palatable beer.

Serving type: can

01-20-2013 21:45:46 | More by Stinkypuss

NilocRellim

Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev -10%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The oyster stout poured out from a can. It was extremely dark in colour, yet had clarity to it and a reddish hue when held up to the light. Smelled of sweet malt. Clean. Had a rich taste of sweet almond, date, and molasses. Lingering mellow, roasty aftertaste.

Would I buy this beer again? Yes.

Serving type: can

01-17-2013 20:58:55 | More by NilocRellim

mdaschaf

Washington

3.51/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Review from notes. Had on tap at Brouwers.

A: Pours a dark brown color with a very small head that quickly dissipates to a thin ring on top. Streaky lacing down the sides.

S: A good bit of chocolate with some faint roast and dark fruit. Just a touch of salt.

T: Sweet chocolate with some dark fruit in the middle, some raisin and plum. Not overly salty, just a pinch near the end.

M: Medium to full bodied with moderate carbonation.

O: Was expecting it to be a bit more salty/briny, but it probably would have been a bit harder to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

02-10-2013 04:30:12 | More by mdaschaf

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

12oz can poured into tulip

Pours an inky blackness with a cap of darkly tanned head, dissolving fast into some wispy film. Streaky lacing runs down the glass while drinking.

Chalky chocolate malts in the nose with roasted tones and light sweetness. Hints of coffee beans and molasses with a touch of smoke and anise.

Semi-sweet dark chocolate up front with caramel and molasses. Hints of smoke and anise under the roasty malt tones with a dash of coffee. A bit sweet, but still pretty balanced with barely any notion of alcohol in the finish with lingering licorice and molasses.

Fuller medium body, well carbonated, chewy and sticky on the tongue. Pretty bold, robust stout with a little more to offer than I might have expected.

Serving type: can

01-29-2013 02:40:44 | More by xnicknj

Hoptometrist

Oregon

3.6/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Served from the can into a globed glass

A- Poured a dark drown with a fluffy mocha colored head that dissipated quickly and left no lace.

S- Huge sweet chocolate notes and roasted barley, very bready and wheat like qualities, caramel

T- Whoa, big salty flavor up front and through the whole sip and lingers. I get that sweet chocolate note and rosted barley from the aroma. Some bready and caramel notes. A little bit of sourness and twang similar to Guinness.

M- Medium body, smooth, quite creamy and finishes dry.

O- A very aromatic and unique stout. The salty oyster quality in the flavor was a bit much, although it did subside a little more as it warmed up some more.

Serving type: can

04-11-2013 03:08:07 | More by Hoptometrist

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A deep brown w/ burgundy highlight and thin tan cap

S-a sweet cocoa and salted caramel aroma w/ light pine hop scent

M-bitter and still semi smooth w/ light amount of alcohol w/ hints of roast and semibitter finish with subtle warmth of alcohol

T- taste is hoppy w/ mild caramel and spice -could be salty oyster shells? Perhaps w/ the hops giving a nice peppery accent and roasted bitterness adding a dry almost burnt flavor in the end notes

Overall a lovely roasty hoppy west coast take on the oyster stout style- a easy quaffer

Serving type: can

01-01-2013 10:41:46 | More by Slatetank

wvsabbath

West Virginia

3.63/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Serving Type - Can

Appearance - Dark black with a tan tint. Creamy 1 inch foamy head and lots of sticky lacing.

Smell - Roasted malts, chocolate, cocoa, some sugars and molassess. Also has a saltwater/fishy aromoa mixed with a oatmeal stout aromoa.

Taste - Starts of with roasted malts and chocolate, then im guessing the oysters comes in and adds a mineral like flavor. This flavor seems to give it a flat, bold flavor, much like a aged oatmeal stout thats lost its flavors over time. Sugars are masked under the malts and oyster flavors.

Mouthfeel - Tounge gets malts, chocolate and some oyster. Palate gets the same along with some sour/bitterness. The finish is malty, sour/bitter and dry.

Overall - Decent, my first oyster stout so was hard to review. Tastes like a aged oatmeal stout, were the main stout flavors are weak and masked behind the malts, and oyster. The alcohol is masked well also, making this really easy to drink, but left me wanting a real stout, big on flavors.

Serving type: can

01-05-2013 05:37:29 | More by wvsabbath

CopperMtnPlowboy

Ohio

3.64/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.75

Poured from can into Cleveland Indians commemorative pint glass. Very dark brew, you cannot see through the glass. Picturesque head (made for a TV commercial!) remains for a while, small tight bubbles - "foamy", I'd say. Dissipated slowly.

Smells of coffee and dark chocolate. Rich roasted malt.

Taste hits hard to start, then fades slowly. The coffee is prominent, sits on the tongue. The alcohol content is there, but not overwhelming. I'm not a big fan of oysters, and I don't get the taste of them with this beer - so no harm there. I also get a hint of burnt carmel - but the good kind, not the "my wife's trying to make Christmas cookies again" kind.

I don't recall having a beer that felt chalky. Although verrrry subtle, this one has a chalky feel to it. Weird. And like the foam, the carbonation of it feels like small tight bubbles. The malt seems to sit on the tongue for a longer time than most beers.

As far as I can remember, this is my first "oyster stout". While I'm not head over heels in love with it. yes I'd have this beer again.

Serving type: can

02-02-2013 06:11:33 | More by CopperMtnPlowboy

macrosmatic

Florida

3.64/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to tobelerone for this one. Reviewed from notes. Poured from 12 oz. can into a Russian River pint glass.

A: Clear, dark brown, with a thin off-white head that quickly fades to a foamy puddle on top.

S: Sweet brown and coffee malts, and a metallic tinny aroma that I find typical of oyster stouts, and a bit of toffee.

T: Follows the nose in character, but the coffee is more forward than the nose, as are the mineral flavors. Mild hop bitterness at the end.

M: Medium body, carbonation on the low side. ABV is well-hidden.

O: Very middle of the road beer. Drinkable, nothing off about it. But it does nothing to inspire me to drink more.

Serving type: can

02-11-2013 02:50:04 | More by macrosmatic

Treyliff

West Virginia

3.65/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A- pours pitch black with a small foamy tan head with somewhat short retention, leaving just a reign after settling

S- smoky charred malt gives some dried meat character, some mineral notes, a bit woody with a touch of chocolate

T- surprising fruity notes with a bit of fig, mid-palate is slightly sweet with roasted malts and chocolate. The finish is mineraly, giving it a slight salty feel on the tongue, smoky and sweet-yet-dry on the finish

M- medium body and carbonation, foamy-turned-creamy mouthfeel with a smooth finish. Alcohol is barely noticeable

O- easy drinking, the oysters give it an interesting mineral flavor and finish. Worth a try once.

Serving type: can

05-14-2013 01:42:06 | More by Treyliff

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

12oz can into a cervoise. The brew appears black in color with 2 fingers worth of khaki head resting atop. The froth slowly fades leaving some webby fingers of lacing effect sticking to the glass. A swirl revives about a half finger back to the surface. When held to the light, some lighter brown clarity is noted and a bit of a ruby hue is seen through the body.

The aroma is pleasantly roasty with suggestions of coffee, earth and bitter chocolate. A trace amount of mineral element is also felt through the nose which is typical of oyster stouts but I have to admit that it integrates quite nicely here and does not stand out or distract at all. As the brew warms up, a bit more focus on char and a minor dark fruity alcohol ester emerges.

The flavor of this brew is roasty like coffee and bitter baker's cocoa. A bit of burnt grainy quality blends into a bit of dark fruity alcohol note somewhat reminiscent of raisins. The aftertaste has a pleasant earthiness about it somewhat suggesting tobacco coupled with a mineral element that is as stated before, similar to what I typically notice in oyster stouts.

This is a medium bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. The nearly 8% abv is integrated nicely but it is felt at times with a bit of dark fruity aspect that doesn't blend into the rest of the character as well as it could. Overall a pretty solid oyster stout, I would have this again.

Serving type: can

02-16-2013 01:33:12 | More by stakem

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

12oz can. Pours a deep amber/near brown, with a several fingers of mocha head. Retains well, leaving back a good bit of sticky lace. The aroma smells of cocoa, coffee, ripe citrus and some mineral notes. Pretty straight forward. The taste is similar, with chocolate and light caramel sweetness, a twang of ripe citrus flavor, light earthy bitterness and roasted malts that leave this burnt in the finish. Like the nose, a light briny mineral character is present. Medium bodied with some prickliness up front that then gives way to more of a bubbly and creamy feel. This was decent. It’s certainly better than average but not exactly special enough to stand out either. It's still worth a look.

Serving type: can

01-29-2013 15:36:33 | More by Kegatron

kojevergas

California

3.7/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Dig the label art. It's quite intricate and well done. Canned 11/19/12. 7.90% ABV confirmed. Self identifies as an Oyster Stout; I'll review it as such. Reviewed live. 12 fl oz aluminum can served into a conical Samuel Smith's pint glass in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. Expectations are high; I'm in the mood for a good oyster stout. Can't remember the last 21st Amendment beer I had.

Served straight from the fridge. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

Not paired with food.

A: Pours a two finger khaki-tan colour head of nice cream, pretty good thickness, and good (~5+ minute) retention for the high ABV. Body colour is a solid nontransparent opaque black; maybe a ruby hue in there - it's not jet black. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. Looks pretty typical of the style; it's well executed. Light lacing clings to the sides of the glass as the head slowly recedes.

Sm: Cream, dark malts, vague generic floral hops, milky caramel, buried muted roast, and maybe light chocolate malt. A light, muted aroma. No yeast character or alcohol is detectable. A bit bland for a stout aroma. I do get a bit of salty sea creature meat when I really look for it - which I guess is the oysters - but I wouldn't know it was an oyster stout if you handed it to me blind. A mild strength, underwhelming aroma.

T: Nice cream and well executed milk chocolate. Some marshmallow. Good dark malt foundation. Oats. Buried caramel. Maybe hazelnut. I search for oysters but I don't find them; it tastes like a straight-up oatmeal stout to me. Light roast. A bit of vanilla. All around a very well balanced stout, but I'm not finding the oyster notes. In any case, I'm really liking it and it's delightfully well executed, with impressive complexity and subtlety. A very solid brew.

Mf: I love the creamy smooth texture; it really helps bring out the milk chocolate. Dryness/wetness balance is ideal. Carbonation is good. Soft. A bit chewy. Great presence on the palate. Plenty of body. Well-executed. Complements the flavour profile well.

Dr: Extremely drinkable for the ABV - which is itself impressively well hidden. Pleasantly surprised by the quality of this one; I'd definitely get it again and it's one of the better canned stouts I've ever had. A treat from 21st Amendment. I'd recommend this to friends. Lovely stuff. I'll have to revisit this one; I think its merits are unsung.

High B

Serving type: can

03-14-2013 04:07:15 | More by kojevergas

BeerDawgs

Georgia

3.71/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A - A dark brown, 1 finger of head which dissipates, leaving no lace on the glass

S - Sweet. Sugar. Boozy

T - Boozy stout, very sweet

M - Medium bodied and well carbonated, oily and slick aftertaste

O - Its a decent stout. A little too sweet for my liking, but not bad.

Serving type: can

04-06-2013 00:30:42 | More by BeerDawgs