Squatters Outer Darkness - Squatters Pub Brewery

kagent777

Utah

3.95/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

750 Bottle purchased on the day of re-release about 1.5 yrs ago. Poured into my CCB snifter.

Appearance: Black beer that pours very thickly. Just a ring of carbonation around the edge of the glass. Not much lacing.

Smell: Oaky and strong roasted malts. Alcohol along with some chocolaty semi sweetness.

Taste: The taste follows the smells. Oak and roasted malts. Some sweet char and chocolate. Molasses and licorice. I also get some dried fruit, raisins, and fresh red grape juice. Some lingering bitterness after the initial sweetness fades. A big flavor profile, but not too complex, maybe with more age (I have one more bottle purhcased at the same time.)

Mouthfeel: The carbonation may be a little too strong for this big of a beer. It actually gives the front of the tongue a bit of a jolt at the front end of the sip. The body is nice and thick as it should be.

Overall: Maybe I am tough on this one because it is easy for me to get. Or maybe I do not know what I am talking about. Nothing wrong with the beer, except that I would not carb quite so much. I am curious to see what another year and a half will do for the other bottle.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2012 03:39:19 | More by kagent777

BruceBruce

Texas

4/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A. Oily black, quarter inch pretty head great brown color that I don't know exactly how to describe it.

S. Oak, then Licorice, then soy sauce, not joking, even asked my Asian roommate

T. Chocolate, Licorice, Oak, must be my imagination but almost thought of bourbon but after warming up, just realize is all of the flavors coming together and me wishing there was bourbon.

M. Not as thick or creamy, I like that, its a very light feel

O. Great beer, I like it a lot and will try it in the bottle tomorrow to see if I can notice a difference. Recommend this to anyone who is like me an on a stout kick in the summer.

Serving type: growler

06-07-2012 02:56:22 | More by BruceBruce

MattyG85

Minnesota

4.45/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 750 ml bottle into a Surly Darkness Chalice. Bottle says born on 01/17/12.

Appearance: Pours a dark and oily black with no other color coming through. Moderate amount of bubbles. About two fingers of tan head that slowly recede to a thin creamy layer. Decent lacing on the glass.

Smell: Big aroma of dark roasted malts with good hints of chocolate and coffee. A considerable amount of molasses along with some licorice. Also some hints of vanilla, oak, and dark fruits including raisin, fig, and prune. Smells pretty robust and good.

Taste: Tastes as big as it smells. Lots of dark roasted caramel malts. Big notes of chocolate and coffee. The licorice/anise presence is really big here. Its almost too much but starts to blend in better as you go. Lots of molasses throughout. Subtle hints of oak and vanilla. Near the back are some dark raisin, prune, and fig. Some earthy hops towards the finish.

Mouthfeel: A fairly thick, full body with a moderate level of carbonation. Creamy, somewhat sticky and syrupy. Still goes down fairly smooth and the high alcohol is hidden pretty well.

Overall: A pretty solid imperial stout. Very rich and fairly complex. Its what I would look for in a big stout.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2012 06:28:48 | More by MattyG85

tobelerone

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Perfect looking imperial stout; jet black with a huge brown head that settles down slowly. Extensive lacing on the glass. Nice aroma of roasted, burnt malt, bittersweet chocolate, molasses.

The taste falls a little short. The nose packs a lot of fudgy chocolate goodness but in the flavor there’s much less chocolate and it’s all of the bitter variety; lacks sweetness and instead is dominated by burnt malt and overall bitterness; some molasses and caramel but buried beneath the strong roasted burnt flavor. Hints of coffee and anise, oak and vanilla. Lingering bitter finish with some warming booziness.

Outer Darkness also feels a little too thin, medium-bodied rather than full, with a bit too much carbonation. Not smooth and chewy enough for the style. Not a bad imperial but also not anything exceptional, unfortunately. Still glad I got a chance to try this one.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2012 18:04:28 | More by tobelerone

jdense

Oregon

4.1/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Big bottle shared with colleague to celebrate new hire, 5.7.12.

Dark brown head over opaque dark brown body, medium dissipation with above average lacing. Pretty intense nose, chocolate, some molasses, plenty of roast backed by citrus hop aromas. Taste is very chocolatey upfront, roast prominent but not as much as in the nose, molasses stickiness, the licorice root helps to balance the dark chocolate notes, grapefruit to balance the sweetness, quite complex. Mouthfeel is well on the heavy side of medium, like drinking motor oil, slick and lubricating, not a lot of effervescence. A pretty pleasant surprise, I'm starting to become a fan of this brewery's big beers. Worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2012 15:46:14 | More by jdense

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.31/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

one of the most intense beers ive had in awhile. pours thick sludgy black and strong, no light through at all, surprisingly active mocha head. nose is huge, licorice, tobacco, alcohol, oak, and bitter bitter coffee all combine for a sensory overload with this one. you can smell this one from neighboring tables, i swear to god. flavor is equally complex and robust, but perhaps a touch more mellow than the nose. the oak seems to have smoothed everything out nicely. there is a spicy sweet molasses hit up front, followed by waves of dark chocolate, licorice, coffee, and finally burning hot alcohol (especially as it warms up to room temperature). the feel is nice, very thick full body, and laid back carbonation make this a slow sipper. we enjoyed it with a slice of peanut butter chocolate pie, which i found to be an excellent compliment. this was one of the better squatters beers i tried, the depth here is unrivaled.

edit: I had a bottle of this last night with about a year on it. turns out even a little age goes a long way, this has mellowed out on alcohol, and the flavors have developed really nicely. wow, just wow. I bumped taste up from a 4. got to get me some more to cellar even longer!

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2012 15:52:15 | More by StonedTrippin

mdcrouser

Missouri

3.6/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Opaque like you'd assume a RIS should be - big head, with two fingers. Deep brown head - like medium toast.

Highly-malted nose, licorice seems to be primary, but supported with some smoke. Big nose, but little depth here.

Almost brutish in how much is packed into this beer - I get a lot of raisins, some licorice, campfire smoke. Seems a little disjointed though.

Thick, like filtering stout sediment through the teeth and back to the tongue. Sticky, a little hot to close.

Strange thing - some good things going on here in this beer. Nothing outstanding, but it could be a decent long-evening sipper. And that is its intent tonight.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2012 02:24:11 | More by mdcrouser

Scotchboy

Idaho

4.15/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap @ Brewforia Beer Market, served in a small chalice.

A: Opaque dark brown & black, with a brown head that leaves behind some lace. Very stout-like. Carbonation seems lower.

S: Malts and stout aromas right up front; chocolate, cocoa and cacao beans, fudge, lots of dark malt, roasty notes, some dark fruit (maybe prune or fig), and a kiss of earthy hop.

T: Follows the nose; cacao and dark bittersweet cocoa powder, fudge and black malt, hints of oily herbal hops, some roasty bitterness, a hint of smooth caramel, and alcohol is more present here with a noticeable burn...taste finishes with milk chocolate on the aftertaste.

MF: Excellent; oily, creamy, smooth pretty full body, lower carbonation, with a touch of alcohol burn.

O: Definitely better than I remembered from the first bottle. This beer needs to be consumed fresh. Recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

03-15-2012 20:36:13 | More by Scotchboy

Efeswasmy1st

4.5/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from bottle among friends at Bodega Brew Pub in La Crosse, WI. Appearance is light black, with some head. Aroma is bourbon, fig, and other ripe fruits. Taste is same, with complexity in the bourbon and fig. Palate is easy, wanting more. Overall, give me more when it is available.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2012 00:24:14 | More by Efeswasmy1st

LtCracker20

Connecticut

3.95/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- A pitch black body with 1-finger's worth of coffee colored head that swiftly falls to a thin and spotty cap. Leaves some OK lacing.

S- Slight oaky vanilla, maybe cinnamon, cloves, a little hot pepper aroma as well. Also, of course, roasted malts, deep dark chocolate, and espresso.

T- Spicy up front, like hot peppers, vanilla, oak, a touch of warmth from the ABV, more spices, good bitterness in the back end, and a touch of bittersweet chocolate.

MF- A little lighter than I would've liked, but not too thin where as to detract from the flavors.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2012 00:36:48 | More by LtCracker20

bmwats

Louisiana

4.1/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 750 ml. bottle into a tulip.

A: Black. Pours a 1 finger, bubbly, brown-white head. Settles quickly, leaving a smattering of foam on the surface and a thick beer ring. Spotty, but consistent lacing.

S: Dark chocolate, black licorice, baked sourdough bread, a pungent malt, and a hint of molasses.

T: Earthy malt, dark bittersweet chocolate, and a tinge of licorice.

M: Thick and hearty, full body. Slightly sweet, with a slightly bitter finish. Neither so much though. Very neutral and well-balanced. Dry with a high alcohol character.

D: Sip and enjoy.

Atmosphere is great here. Dark and intimidating with a nice head, and decent lacing. Great nose...chocolate, licorice, and earthy malt. Flavor, in suit, is a bittersweet dark chocolate with a full-bodied malt character. Overall, this is a great quaff.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2012 04:05:32 | More by bmwats

htomsirveaux

Texas

3.25/5  rDev -19.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

750 mL bottle tried 18 Oct 2011. Served in the 0.4 L Steiner Pils snifter.

Large brown foamy head. Medium carbonation. Clear dark brown in color. Aromas of ethanol, dried fruit, lightly charred malts. Lots of roasty malt, almost burnt. Alcohol. Some very dark chocolate and cocoa. Burnt wood. Heavy body, lots of alcohol. Licorice and cough syrup in the finish and aftertaste.

It's boozy and hot in the outer darkness.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2012 00:50:44 | More by htomsirveaux

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

4/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours an effectively black body with a tan-colored head, though it dissipates easily despite pleas and cries to stick around.

Smell: Vaunting malt-packed roastiness with vanilla, dark chocolate liqueur, though also a bit fudgy, and a clump of molasses. Mildly fruity hint of cherry skins -- no cherries -- just the skins, thanks.

Taste: Starts sweet, races towards ardent roast, then, it gives you a sip of smooth liquor with insulating notes of chocolate, vanilla bean, and coffee. Blurred fruitiness flaunting an edge of dark cherry. Light spiciness. Rather subtle oak character. Some hop character and bitterness penetrating the heavy layer of malts. Roasty, warming, lightly spicy finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-full body. Medium-light carbonation. Smooth mouthfeel.

Overall: The thumb points... up!

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2012 16:00:56 | More by ChainGangGuy

ehammond1

California

4.08/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle (2011)

Thanks for opening this one, Nathan!

Big, thick, and nearly black with a moderately sized dark brown head that eventually leaves lots of stick (small bubbles and spiderwebs) on the glass.

Lot of roasted malt, a bit of chocolate, and a mild smoke character make up the aroma. There's also just a touch of licorice and dark fruit character, but this leans further toward the roasty/chocolatey spectrum. Nice.

The flavor follows similarly, with the roasted malt, chocolate, and slight licorice flavor rounding things out. Small hint of warming alcohol. Moderate bitterness.

Full bodied with low to moderate carbonation. Damn good.

Delicious stout, paired especially well with Elaine's homemade toffee peppermint brittle.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 18:14:59 | More by ehammond1

orangesol

Pennsylvania

3.13/5  rDev -22.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Thanks to foofaa for busting this one out for us to try.

A - Pours jet black with a small half finger tall tan head leaving light lace down the glass.

S - Smells is all over the place. Initially there are hints of smoke, chocolate, and coffee with a weird off aroma sneaking in at the end of each sniff, almost brett like. As it warms the off aroma diminishes and it replaced by a huge maple syrup kick. Minus the off aroma this one is pretty good.

T - Starts off with lots of dark roasted malt quickly giving way to a mix of coffee grounds, dark chocolate, and plenty of smoke. The off flavor remains, really messing with the flow of the other flavors. Just like the nose, it slowly fades but it is still there. Finish is pretty roasty with some sweetness.

M - Medium-Heavy body and flavor with moderate carbonation. Dark, roasty feel that doesn't linger on the pallet for very long. There is a weird off flavor in there initially, slowly fading as it warms.

O - I am not sure what was going on with this one. Initially we thought it may be infected since it was giving off some weird off flavors and aromas but as it warmed up a bit it got a little bit better. I wouldn't mind giving it another go at a later time.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2012 23:38:26 | More by orangesol

CLBizzle

Texas

4.35/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This Bomber's bottle date was 11/1/11. Such a great day for a beer to be born. Poured into an Imperial Pint glass.

A: Black Body. Thin carmel head that sticks around for a minute. Thick lacing on the glass as the beer is being "reviewed".

S: Toffee and coffee hit the nose.

T: Creamy chocolate flavors come across on the tongue. Robust malty flavor which finishes sweet. Molasses flavor, but not as thick of a mouthfeel as I thought the stout would have with multiple mashes. With as high of an OG as a 10.5% beer must have had the beer is dangerously drinkable.

O: First beer that I have had from Squatter's and I must say that I am impressed. I love a great Imperial stout and this one is no slouch.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2012 00:28:34 | More by CLBizzle

StoneBrewFanatic

Virginia

3.98/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours dark as night into my snifter with two fingers of dense mocha head that has great retention and plenty of sticky lacing.

S - Lots of chocolate malts, bitter sweet cocoa notes, roasted malts, anise, dark fruits and a touch of booze.

T - Deep roasted malts, bitter sweet chocolate, espresso, anise, a little hope bite and finishes with a molasses booze combination.

M - A little to bright/crisp for my liking, has a big think body and seems slightly unbalanced with noticeable alcohol.

O - So far the best beer I've had from Squatters. Solid offering of a Russian Imperial and I look forward to trying more from the "reserve series."

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2012 23:41:25 | More by StoneBrewFanatic

JM03

Ohio

4.38/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle received as an extra from optimator13. As always, thanks Evan!

Pours black with a heavy thick chocolate brown head. Small amount of lacing left behind.

Aromas of chocolate, roasted malts, a hint of coffee, a bit of smokiness, and a slight alcohol burn.

Taste adds in the dark fruit aspect along with the chocolate, coffee, and roasty/charred malts. A slight alcohol burn finishes it off.

Overall a very enjoyable brew. Smooth and coating on the palate. An easy drinking sipper. The alcohol is present but not overpowering which makes a nice warming sipper for the cold winter months.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2012 15:43:47 | More by JM03

Pencible

Virginia

3.78/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: This poured a nearly opaque pitch black, with some fairly dark tan head.
S: It smelled like roasted coffee and creamy milk chocolate, with some molasses and brown sugar.
T: It tasted like milk chocolate and molasses, with some roasted coffee and brown sugar. It had a clean and bittersweet aftertaste with lingering resinous hops and alcohol.
M: It was fairly thick with some carbonation. Nice full body.
D: This was a nice RIS that was well balanced and enjoyable. The scent and taste were good, with solid body. The alcohol was noticeable, so it should be sipped. Age may help mellow this brew, but it was still good fresh (but not great).

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2011 15:05:02 | More by Pencible

gtermi

Texas

4.3/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A: This is one the best looking beers I have ever seen. It pours a motor oil black with a thick 2-3 finger brown head. The head fades and leaves a lot of lacing on the glass.

S: Has a strong chocolate malt scent. I am also getting a lot of roasted malt and coffee.

T: Has a lot of strong roasted malt. You can taste a little of the booze, but its pretty faint. When the beer lingers on the tongue, you start to pick up a food amount of chocolate and coffee. Very nice

M: This beer is very crisp and burns the back of the throat and the tongue. It isnt bad by any means, just not great.

O: This is a very great beer. I havent had much from Squatters, but the ones I have had are enjoyable. Russian Imperials are some of my favorite style beers and this doesnt let me down.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2011 05:27:04 | More by gtermi

MADhombrewer

Oregon

4.18/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle (born on) date 11 01 11. Poured into a 6oz St Arnold glass.

Appearance- Pours a very thick black liquid. Very little dark tan head. Even after a vigorous pour. 4.5/5

Smell- Big dark, bitter chocolate notes. Small amount of hop aroma as well. This even smells thick. 4.5/5

Taste- Lots of bitter chocolate. I taste a small hint of peppermint but it goes away as it gets warmer. The alcohol is not very prominent, although I think it will be as I get deeper into the bottle. The second pour produced a much larger head. There are some earthy tone to it as well. 4/5

Mouthfeel- Very thick. The more I write these reviews the more I see I maybe a "mouthfeel snob". This one I like very much. It coats every part of your mouth. 4.5/5

Overall- This is a really good beer. I saw it on the shelf and took a chance. It paid off. Squatters is turning out to be a solid brewery. 4/5

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2011 01:05:31 | More by MADhombrewer

portia99

Massachusetts

3.93/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle (born on 02/22/11) received in trade with Wasatch. Thanks again John! Poured into a Bruery tulip.

A - Pours a thick body of nearly pitch black except for some rich ruby/mahogany highlights on the edges when held to the light. A low finger of capuccino colored foam rests for a minute or so and falls to a loose collar and rocky islands on the surface...nice sheets of lacing left on the glass. Good looking impy stout.

S - Quite low in aroma overall. Mostly I'm able to pick up milk and dark chocolates. Some booze is present at a lower level, along with some dark fruit, touch of anise and dark roasted malts way in the background. What is here is good, but intensity is a bit lacking.

T - Dark fruit and deeply charred and dark roasted malts take center stage here. A bit of a burnt toast character is present. Not positive but I think I'm getting some hints of cherries in the flavors and dark chocolate joins the mix too. Finishes with some mild booze and a hit of molasses.

M - Rather full mouthfeel...carbonation is at a lower level and gives this a velvety smooth creaminess to the feel. Alcohol is noticeable but doesn't really contribute any warmth to the feel - well contained overall.

O - Overall, a solid example of the RIS style. Fairly well balanced and with decent complexity - although lacking in the finer nuances that could make others in this style great. Would easily enjoy having this again sometime in the future.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2011 00:22:43 | More by portia99

Gushue3

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to Tom for this bottle. Date on bottle is 02/22/11

Poured into my Stone IRS snifter.

A Pours very dark dark brown, almost pitch black. Sits opaque in my glass and theres a large 2 finger milk chocolate head about it. Really big retention thats hesitant to go down but leaves retention when it finally does. Looks mighty fine to me, verge of 5

S Big roast upfront with a slight alcohol shiff, but not nose buring. Chocolate and some dark fruits in there. Smells nice.

T Follows the nose with a big roast but sweet malts. Some bitterness comes toward the middle that has a bittersweet finish. Some alcohol and chhoclate underneath it all. Nice flavors.

M Feels about a medium to heavy thickness and feels a little light. Does that make sense? I'd like a little heavier.

O

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2011 00:58:57 | More by Gushue3

stouts4me

Illinois

4.72/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

pours out a medium viscosity of dark brown/black, into my New Belgium snifter. A 1/4 " tan puffy head floats on top of the impermeable black body. You can smell chocolate and a slight alcohol nose.Mouthfeel is very good,roasty, chocolaty, malty goodness. For $10 this is a good deal, 10.5% alcohol should age nicely, overall you couldn't go wrong here.

'

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2011 01:30:25 | More by stouts4me

drpimento

Wisconsin

4.05/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Nice beer. Let it warm some out of the fridge. Poured with a nice tan, foamy, frothy, thick head and some lace. Color is an opaque brown black. Aroma is fairly mild, roast, malt, leather, toffee. Flavor is similar to nose, bittersweet up front followed by a little carbonic tang. Finish is like flavor, balanced, with some alcohol warmth. Very nice

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2011 03:26:15 | More by drpimento