Highland Dry Hopped Bourbon Oak Aged Black Mocha Stout - Highland Brewing

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.47/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Another great addition to the lineup at the cask fest at Duckworth's yesterday. Everything really came off great during the afternoon, This was served in the standard 11.5oz glass and filled to the rim. Consumed on 03/27/2010.

Insanely good beer. The pour was thick, dark as night with a heavy look to it. Big head of tan foam caps it to the level of about three inches and now and now it starts to settle down and leaves a chocolate coating down the side of the glass that makes it impossible to see through at times, really a very good looking beer, one of the best I have seen in a long time, let alone out of a cask. Aroma is deep cocoa and rich piney hops that seem to accent it perfectly and almost give it a chocolate mint like touch at first before it settles out and leaves coffee the dominate note that fills the air. Rich, creamy and smooth flavor as the chocolate and coffee roll across the tongue with the fullness of a dessert mousse. Light roasted malt note now and the bitterness of the coffee now starts to shine through and show its stuff. Very interesting mix of things going on here but it works for me. Smooth, creamy finish that is highlighted with notes of lactose of coffee. Rich, perfect capper to a great day.

Overall next to the founders this was a best in show for me. Really a very solid treatment down to an already solid beer. Great job here.

Serving type: cask

03-28-2010 15:24:22 | More by mikesgroove

Durge

Connecticut

4.35/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A thick black color with a minor light brown head and decent lacing. The aroma is a pleasant chocolate coffee malt with a light yeasty hop hint. The flavor is a solid chocolate malt and coffee with late charcoal edges. It's beautifully balanced, smooth and silky feeling, medium-plus body. Yet it is not a thick brew and it goes down very readily for such a flavorful stout. Though primary flavors here are not very different from most decent stouts of this variety, it really is put together in a special, evenly blended way that is unusually drinkable. Another hit for Highland.

Serving type: on-tap

10-07-2010 03:42:20 | More by Durge

Bung

North Carolina

4.28/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Cask event at Duckworths. Deep black pour with a darker tan 2 finger head.

Aroma is roasty malt and earthy barrel. Caramel, cocoa and a dryness to balance it out a bit.

Taste is very good, maybe a little sweet. Chocolates, roast malt, caramel/barrel like quality. Some licorice and light coffee as it finishes. Finish has some dry oakiness to it as well.

Very solid mouthfeel to this one, good cask conditioned body. No alcohol, a great dessert beer. Not as sweet as the Duck Rabbit, but I still prefered the Duck Rabbit though this was slightly more drikable.

Possibly the best brew I have ever had from Highland, which are just above average to me normally.

Serving type: cask

04-02-2010 23:49:36 | More by Bung

carolinahophead

North Carolina

4.6/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

What a treat for Charlotte Craft Beer Week.
A: Poured a deep dark color with a nice head.
S: Nice cocoa and dark roasted malt on the nose. Did like the coffee aromas there too.
T: The mocha and bourbon is there on the mid palate and an awesome roasted maly finish.
M : A medium to full body with alot going on with this Highland creation.
D : By being cask condition it was very easy to drink and quite smooth.

Thanks Mike for a great event.

Serving type: cask

03-29-2010 22:24:47 | More by carolinahophead