Highland Black Mocha Stout - Highland Brewing

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Purchased at Green's (Buford Hwy location).

Appearance: Has a typical black-brown stout coloring with a thin biege-colored head.

Smell: A slightly sweet, candied aroma with a touch of roasted coffee and milk chocolate. Very inviting!

Taste: Chocolate-coated malt flavors abound, flanked by the rich coffee essence. Coffee au lait. A slight suggestion of hops provide a bit of balance to this great brew.

Mouthfeel: Luxurious on the tongue, with a modest amount of carbonation. Very creamy. This beer is a joy to experience from start to finish. Exactly medium-bodied with out leaning towards being heavy or thin. Perfect.

Drinkability: This beer's well-balanced character, makes it a true session stout. A great choice any time of day, any time of year. Delish!

Find some. Treasure it.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2005 05:56:29 | More by ChainGangGuy

RedwoodGeorge

California

4.08/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Mmmm...mocha!

This tasty brew pours a little on the dull side - a frothy tan head falls down quickly leaving no lacing on the glass. The stout itself is a dark black but the thinness is visible around the edges.

The smell is very inviting with some very clean pure notes of coffee (even though Highland is very emphatic that there are no adjuncts - only roasted barley) There's a fairly sweet smell in the nose as well - almost hot chocolate like.

The taste is similar with very pronounced chocolate and coffee notes. There's a pronounced sweetness to go along with those notes keeping the stout far away from bitter or astringent. There are echoes of smoke and a bit of molasses in this very malty brew.

Mouthfeel is pretty light - this is a light bodied stout. Carbonation is on the low side and there's no oily residue left on the palate. There's enough bitterness from the roasted grains to leave a clean finish. No appreciable hops notes to be found.

A nice drinkable stout with lots of the complex characteristics of a "big" brew but without the high alcohol levels or overpowering flavors. A good compliment to a warm fire on a damp evening.

[thanks to mntlover for this nice brew - Highland makes some nice stuff!]

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2005 03:41:29 | More by RedwoodGeorge

blitz134

Connecticut

4.1/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I had to get this beer on a trip through Asheville, it seems Highland doesn't distribute this one very far from its brewery. At 2.89/bomber at Asheville's wine mart, a couple made it into my grips to travel home with me.

Very nice pour. Chocolate milk colored 1.25" head which reduced pretty quickly to a thin layer of bubbles. Body isn't quite solid black, seems to have the slightest touch of brown to it. Red highlights around the edges of my imprial pint glass.

Aroma is strong with roasted malts. A nice expresso coffee aroma with bits of chocolate toffee swirled in. Some sweet undertones of dark fruit, maybe a touch of plum and raisin sweetness. A touch of caramel sweetness to round it out.

Dark coffee dominated which really comes through at the finish. Loads of toasted flavors but not as much chocolate and toffee comes through in the taste. I'm not a coffee fan, but this one is really nice. Not as complex as some others but well constructed. Lacks some of the chocolate characteristics that are expected, but makes for a good coffee stout instead.

Mouthfeel is medium, not really creamy, but more of a thin oil consistancy on the tounge. Feels somewhat crisp too. Drinkability is superb, not a crushing abv level and plenty of refreshing taste and you have a winner in the drinkability department. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2005 02:23:54 | More by blitz134

hyuga

North Carolina

4.18/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Impenetrable black beer with a nice tan head. As black as any stout you'll find.

Roasty aroma with some dark fruits. Slightly sweet.

Burnt-edged on the tongue, hoppy and chocolatey with roasted sweetness all around.

Nice and chewy, but smooth at the same time. Great mouthfeel.

A very drinkable stout that brings Highland's uniqueness to the style. I hate that this beer is a bit harder to find than their other brews. Can't wait to have it again!

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2005 02:59:26 | More by hyuga

wcudwight

North Carolina

4.35/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

A: Opaque. Thin head that quickly disappeared. Sparse lacing. Looks like a Pepsi.
S: Chocolate, Coffee, Sweet
T: Coffee, some bitterness, roasted grains, taste like Starbucks Mocha Frapachino.
M: Seemed a little thin for a stout, but no major complaints.
D: Very well balanced. Very Drinkable!
Notes: Some beers look real pretty and disapoint the tastebuds. This beer is the opposite. Looks nothing special, but is a very solid stout.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2005 03:16:38 | More by wcudwight

GClarkage

California

3.8/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

08/21/05- Received via a trade with AlexJ.

Presentation- 22oz bomber with no freshness dating. Poured into my Englander pint glass.

Appearance- Dark brown, almost black pour. Pretty good sized chocolated colored head and well placed lacing.

Smell- Lots fo dark bittersweet chocolate and hints of coffee as well. Moderate roasted scents too.

Taste- Almost like a Swiss Miss hot chocolate flavor to it. Some roasted coffee beans and some mid range dark roasted malt.

Mouthfeel- This one is overly carbonated for me, especailly for a stout. It almost feels at times I'm drinking a bit of a chocolate soda.

Drinkability- If the carbonation were toned down and smoothed out this would really be a top notch stout. The soda texture kinda ruined the whole experience for me. Even though, it's still not that bad if you can put that behind you.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2005 21:07:42 | More by GClarkage

dirtylou

Washington

3.95/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

22oz bottle split with "blackie", found at brawleys in Charlotte

appearance: dark, near black, creamy tan head, nice lacing. Overall a nice liking stout

smell: rich dark coffee, toasted malt, chocolate,

taste: nice and chocolatey, milder coffee than scent suggested

mouthfeel: a little thin I thought, medium body

drinkability: quite drinkable, interested in seeing if a bigger version of this beer will be on the way in the post pop the cap era of NC beer

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2005 01:41:27 | More by dirtylou

mattcrill

Ohio

4.05/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks go out to cmaruschak for the opportunity to sample this one. Shared this with him and mmmmbeeeer.

Appearance: A deep black pour with cola edging. A thin almond carbonated head that quickly disappears and rings the glass nicely. Head retention is a little shaky.

Smell: Sweet chocolate, roasted barley, nutty, and toffee notes all hit the nose.

Taste: Dry cocoa, french roast coffee, pecans that form the nutty base to this taste. A creamed coffee flavor and stronger coffee presence overall dominates the flavor as this beer warms in the mouth. A nice dry bittering finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied and nicely balanced with some carbonation.

Drinkability: Easily a session beer for me. It borders dangerously close to a porter in my book. The lighter roasty flavor and mouthfeel profile make me think porter but I'll respect the brewers call for the style on this one. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2005 15:21:18 | More by mattcrill

weeare138

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appears a black color with a one finger tan head that lasts for about a minute. Tiny lacing is tossed about.
Smell is of roasted malt with chocolate and coffee with some dark fruit and cream mixed in.
Taste is of coffee, dark malts, and cream.
Mouthfeel is of velvet, and slightly roasted malt in this full bodied brew.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2005 20:57:32 | More by weeare138

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.6/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Ooooh, I know I'm in for a ride, already. I've poured into the glass and the beer fills it with an impenetrable ebon, capped with lush, rocky cocoa tan froth. And the aroma, wafting out from the start is intoxicating and right on the money. Let's go in for a stronger sniff...

Ahhh!!! Rich, deep coffe and chocolate, lightly roasty, toasty, a big of of bittersweet beans, but sweetened up some, very delicious...cocoa is an imprtant element here...

Taste: simply a wonderful thing going on in the mouth. All those flavors mentioned in the nose combine beautifully for a dark, delectable symphony on the palate. Rich and sweet, chocolatey, but still enough bitter to keep the thing in check. Immaculate integration, exquisite balance, almost flawless. I could drink this forever...damnably good. It feels great to meet once in a while such a fantastic creation as this, and know that stupendous stouts aren't just conceived once in a while,from the usual suspects, but are cropping up all over the place, created by a host of talented brewers across the U.S.A!

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2005 10:17:46 | More by feloniousmonk

LuckySevens82

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz "dinner bottle" courtesy of Ninjaworm.

Pours an opaque black with slight brown and ruby hues. Head is small, but still a dense and well formed chocolate milk color. Lacing is nice, as is retention.
Smell is roasted malts, faint coffee, cocoa, just a hint of dark fruits (figs, raisins). A little vanilla, caramel and just a faint whiff of hops.
Taste is roasted malts up front but soon fade away to coffee, slight vanilla, and a very nice hot chocolate. Hops are present but by no means overwhelm the amazing flavors in this beer. Very nice.
Mouthfeel is good, definitely coats the tongue and is enjoyable from beginning to end.
Overall, I could really see myself having more than one of these beers in a sitting. At 5.3% abv, it's a great session beer, and the flavors in this are downright amazing. A top notch beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2005 00:57:38 | More by LuckySevens82

AlexJ

North Carolina

4.55/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Inky black with beautiful crimson highlights and a creamy beige head that leaves lace mapwork as it recedes back into the abyss. Excellent head retention.

Creamy chocolate and black malts woven together with notes of mocha latte, chewy caramel, and a whisper of pine and floral hops. Smells perfect.

Ladies and gentlemen we have a winner! Dark roasted malts on the forefront fade into flavors of well-creamed coffee and chocolate turtle brownies. There's a perfect amount of light floral and sticky pine note to provide perfect balance. This is a stout that could be enjoyed from dawn til' dusk, by itself or with an array of foods, and tastes best out of the cellar.

Medium to large body with very light carbonation and a slick and silky mouthfeel. It definately has an oily texture that really coats your palete. It finishes with a mouthfull of semi-sweet dark chocolate flavors and a hint of bitter coffee. Delish. I think Shakespear Stout has a new nemesis.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2005 19:55:43 | More by AlexJ

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

An translucent black body displays ruby-mahogany hilghlights below a full head of frothy dark tan foam that holds quite well and leaves thin rings of craggy lace about the pint. The nose is mocha-like and caramelish. It's medium bodied and smooth across the palate with a mild caress on the tongue from its restrained carbonation. The flavor is fairly rich and complex with notes of dark malt acidity, yeasty fruitiness, caramel, coffee and chocolate. It's well-balanced by a firm bitterness, and it finishes dry with a lingering note of yeasty fruitiness and some lightly roasty mocha. Very well done!

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2005 22:54:30 | More by NeroFiddled

silver0rlead

North Carolina

4.03/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Jet black pour produces about an inch of head with a little bit of lacing

Smell is of roasted coffe mixed with chocolate, like a cup-a-joe mocha latte

Taste: strong roasted malt taste at first, then a fine coffe and dark bittersweet chocolate ending with a dry, bitter finish. A fine american stout, makes me proud to live in NC with a beer like this made here. Complex, tasty and smooth with a creamy, latte like mouthfeel that makes it go down easy. A great session stout if there ever was one thought slightly filling. It's probably fairly rare to find, especially outside NC but if you ever see one grab it, it may be the last and is a great value at $3.49 a 22oz bomber

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2005 05:19:38 | More by silver0rlead

merlin48

Kentucky

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

$3.79 for a 22 oz bottle at Peabody's, in Boone. Pours into an imperial pint glass a dark, opaque brown body with a tightknit tan head that rises a couple inches before gradually falling into a cap and island chain lacing. Aroma is chocolate, roast Kona coffee, and a distinct note of almond/hazelnut nuttiness. Mouthfeel is creamy and light medium bodied, with low medium carbonation. The taste features bitter, dark roasted malts which mingle happily with the chocolate covered almond and nut flavors. Espresso and smooth roasted coffee notes compliment well. A vague suggestion of citrusy hops creeps into the mix, adding additional complexity. Somewhat light bodied for a stout, but not a major drawback.
This is Highlands' best offering, other than the very limited release, Cold Mountain Winter Ale. Black Mocha seems to be somewhat of a rarity, itself, based on my repeated failures to find it in the North Carolina mountains. I'm looking forward to this brewery's move to expanded quarters, so they can brew more of their top shelf offerings like this one.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2005 23:36:43 | More by merlin48

mntlover

Tennessee

4/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pour black with hints of red brown head that falls quickly. Smells a little subdued roasted malt and coffee with light citrus hints. Tastes much larger then smell roasted malt with hints of coffee, chocolate with light hop kicker near the end. This beer is just a pinch light for a stout but the drinkability is awsome ever drink has my mouth wanting more. I have found a good warm weather stout here not overly heavy just right. Only had 2 bomers wishing I had more.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2004 18:21:29 | More by mntlover

finepaws

North Carolina

4.58/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Yum, yum, yum! Had this one at Biltmore House in Asheville. I saw mocha, I saw stout, knew I had to have it. Waiter seemed impressed. "Excellent choice" he said. I grinned. (Beer snob!) It came in a glass, duh, thick dark color. Nice caramel head. Didn't last throughout, but did lace the sides. Smelled like mocha java coffee. Tasted like it too, with a thick feel. I really enjoyed this one. Next to youngs dbl chocolate, I'm thrilled. Guess what, I can't find this one in a store either....waaah!

Serving type: on-tap

05-22-2004 03:39:16 | More by finepaws

GCBrewingCo

North Carolina

4.22/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer arrived at the table a blackish dark brown and completely full. The head was low due to the high fill, but lasting at the edges of the surface to lace the glass.

The aroma was coffee and chocolate with a sweet caramel.

The flavor was dry chocolate and coffee with a slight acidity in the flavor that adds to the complexity.

The finish was dry coffee (very nice). The body was medium-full.

Pint glass at Barley's Taproom in Knoxville, TN.

Serving type: on-tap

04-21-2004 02:03:09 | More by GCBrewingCo

JISurfer

South Carolina

4.35/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Shazaam!!!! No, not the "awesome" Shaq movie. I am talking about how great this beer is! This is one great brew from Highland brewing that I am going to try to get more of, even though it's hard as hell to find in these parts. It was a black color with a dark tan head. The head was thick and frothy for a little while, and then died down to a spotty laceing. The different smells detected were chocolate, espresso, and little hints of alcohol, as well as faint hints of citrus. The biggest smell that stood out was the espresso though. The taste was similar to the smell, but also had a creaminess to it. Once again, the espresso was the stronger taste of the whole group. Overall this was a very smooth beer that ranks very high with me against it peers. If you ever have the chance to try this one, don't let it go.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2004 03:39:38 | More by JISurfer

oberon

North Carolina

3.8/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had a nice traditional color black with maybe a slight red hue in there,appetizing in the pour with nice caramel colored head.I do agree with other guy who reviewed this one not much smell,a little chocolaty/earthy smell but not much.Taste was nice and chocalty and earth with that smokey tinge coming through in the end.Pretty good velvety body.Another good one from Highland.

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2003 07:19:20 | More by oberon

RBorsato

Virginia

4.45/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pitch black with a dark brown/chocolate colored head. Light aroma: sweet, light caramel, and light roastiness. I can't believe how light the aroma was considering the rich roasty, coffee-ish, chocolate flavors. Full bodied (leans medium) with a light smoky finish.

[22 oz bottle for $2.89]

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2002 07:42:18 | More by RBorsato