Highland Black Mocha Stout - Highland Brewing

maybrick

Pennsylvania

2.15/5  rDev -45%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Broguht in for review in our Monday evening group on 3/18/2007. I'm eager to have more southern breweries joining the ranks of the industry. I was very disappointed in this one however. It was so thin in the taste, mouthfeel, and I don't know if this was just a not so great batch or a real representation. Mocha stouts at least to me should be thick, lusirous, and have strong notes of the coffee. This just didn't.

I certainly will try it again when once I again encountered and will happily update this review with those results.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2007 16:25:45 | More by maybrick

Brenden

Ohio

4.24/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A black stout it certainly is, just barely any light coming in at the extreme edges. The head that grows, about medium brown in color, rises to a respectable height and holds up quite well. It drops slowly and leaves thick, webby lace clinging as it does.
The smell surprises me; I had a Highland beer or two when I visited Ashville a few years back and didn't remember this kind of quality. A nice, strong malts base gives off just enough roast and a slight touch of char that doesn't offend, and there's a nice creamy cocoa element coming out along with it.
Tasty, and with the chocolate and coffee coming forward with the strength I desire, I'm just pleasantly surprised by this brew overall. The malts are firm and flavorful. There's a bit of leafy hoppiness coming out for depth, mingling with a note of dark fruits and lightly charred woods to put a little edge on the char into the finish.
This fits into stout territory without being overbearingly heavy or weighty, making it almost infinitely sessionable. It loses a little of the heft and just a touch of crispness comes through, but the creamy feel is constant, even as the finish goes a little drier.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2013 01:47:56 | More by Brenden

andy1701

Florida

3.25/5  rDev -16.9%

06-16-2013 23:47:31 | More by andy1701

williahd

Virginia

4/5  rDev +2.3%

06-15-2013 12:30:17 | More by williahd

IchLiebeBier

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Appearance: Very dark, almost black; medium frothy tan head, long lasting, excellent lacing

Aroma: Roasted malt with chocolate and coffee notes

Taste: Roasted malt, creamy mouthfeel; slightly biiter grains in the start with a bit sweet in the mid; finishes dry and nutty/bitter aftertaste; well balanced and not too bad

Remarks: Did not score A, T, S, M at that time; disregard those scores

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2013 02:17:59 | More by IchLiebeBier

hit728

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

06-14-2013 15:58:06 | More by hit728

alltakn

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%

06-13-2013 02:06:32 | More by alltakn

beernads

Florida

3/5  rDev -23.3%

06-12-2013 08:18:55 | More by beernads

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -10.5%

05-28-2013 01:00:56 | More by Rifugium

bepeterson2352

South Carolina

3/5  rDev -23.3%

05-28-2013 00:35:44 | More by bepeterson2352

bcostner1

Tennessee

4/5  rDev +2.3%

05-27-2013 00:10:27 | More by bcostner1

Mojo

Alabama

3.85/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

12 ounce bottle -> New Belgium globe glass

The pour yielded a dark ebony color with a one finger foamy caramel-colored head with awesome retention and lacing. The smell was dark chocolate and licorice. Taste follows the nose. It is big and sweet up front, kind of milk chocolate with a sour sweetness. The finish builds slowly. At first it doesn't appear to be anything there, but it slowly build to a rich , bitter and satisfying mocha taste. Mouthfeel is very average, leaning toward being a little thick. All in all a nice offering.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2013 04:24:20 | More by Mojo

jaswilson2

South Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%

05-25-2013 01:42:41 | More by jaswilson2

iCabaLLero

Georgia

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

05-23-2013 22:16:30 | More by iCabaLLero

bcuz7

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

05-19-2013 21:18:30 | More by bcuz7

NastyNate11

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +2.3%

05-17-2013 02:46:24 | More by NastyNate11

mralbertson

North Carolina

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

05-15-2013 01:51:20 | More by mralbertson

macrosmatic

Florida

4/5  rDev +2.3%

05-12-2013 17:13:48 | More by macrosmatic

firstlighthiker

Tennessee

3.5/5  rDev -10.5%

05-10-2013 03:18:46 | More by firstlighthiker

bhawk1

Georgia

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

05-07-2013 12:02:20 | More by bhawk1

bmoney

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

05-02-2013 03:37:43 | More by bmoney

JovianPfeil

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +15.1%

05-01-2013 01:05:57 | More by JovianPfeil

Bamarooster

Virginia

4/5  rDev +2.3%

04-23-2013 22:16:47 | More by Bamarooster

wyatt13

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%

04-21-2013 13:21:49 | More by wyatt13

baklo

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +15.1%

04-21-2013 12:29:43 | More by baklo