Heavy Seas - Siren Noire Imperial Chocolate Stout - Heavy Seas Beer

stephenjmoore

Maryland

3.74/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Bottled in 2012

A- Pours a dark brown that settles into a near-black body. No transparency in this one, but not motor oil dark. Started with a big frothy mocha-colored head that leaves a thin layer of bubbles on top.

S- Chocolate syrup, cocoa powder, chocolate malt, not much roastiness.

T- The chocolate flavors are there up front, but the flavor fades quickly into some weak malt flavors in the middle. The end has a cocoa powder presence, but is not quite full-flavored either.

M- Surpisingly thin, medium carbonation, not the smoothness you would expect in an imperial stout.

O- Decent beer, but not great for the style. They revamped this one for 2013, so I will be interested to see if it improved.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 21:54:16 | More by stephenjmoore

ONUMello

Ohio

3.86/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2013 edition poured from a 22oz bottle to a pint glass
A: Pitch black with a 1/2-finger tan head that settles fairly quickly
S: Smooth with coffee, cocoa, cream, dark malt, and just a kiss of bitterness
T: Coffee, vanilla cream, toffee, malt.
M: Medium to full bodied, smooth
O: I hadn't read the brewery's notes on the label before tasting this, but they match almost perfectly. It took me a bit to realize how much the bourbon barrel aging adds to the beer. I liked it.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 07:13:10 | More by ONUMello

davey101

Connecticut

2.33/5  rDev -36.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

2011 vintage, 22 oz bomber into a DFH signature glass. Opens with a very loud pop.

A - Pours a jet black body, Two fingers of light mocha foam with some pretty impressive lacing and retention. Stuff just clings on for dear life.

S - Oh no. Ohhhh no. Bittersweet chocolate, plastic, roasted malts, burnt coffee and some vegetal qualities. This is bad, real bad.

T - I'd rather not try this, but I must. Bitter chocolate fades into wet cigarettes, weird red fruits, and an underlying plasticy element. This isn't an infection, its just a beer that probably saw some less than ideal living conditions during its two year stay on the store shelf. I can't finish this. Ugh...mouthfeel is medium and coating and lasts for a long time, which does NOT help.

O - Chock it up to a bottle past its prime, but this is just undrinkable. BA Siren Noire was a bit average but a hell of a bargain. I was hoping that the base beer would be similar. Note to self, buy this beer fresh.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 02:41:09 | More by davey101

kylehay2004

Florida

3.96/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Three finger tan head with excellent lacing on a jet black body. Aroma of dark chocolate earthy hops, run, oak and hint if espresso. Flavor has lots of dark chocolate, oak, whiskey, hint of roasted malt, earthy hops and burnt caramel. Medium body and moderate carbonation. Full flavored and complex. One if the better brews from this brewery. Well balanced with jus the right amount of chocolate.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 02:51:42 | More by kylehay2004

Maltmaiden

Alabama

3.94/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: black with no light coming through. thin head that sticks around till the end. good amt of carbonation bubbles.

S: roasted malts. Metallic phenols and quite a bit of alcohol. Dark chocolate. Not a very complex bouquet. Could do without such strong alcohol.

T: Wow! A lot sweeter and chocolatier (more like milk chocolate) than I was expecting after the smell. Roasted but not bitter malts. Some alcohol but not nearly what the smell suggested. Good amt of bourbon to it. Not overkill. very well balanced. Seems like there is lactose in it?...

M: Very smooth and thick. The mouthfeel in combination with the taste really make me think I'm having a really strong milk stout. Very light aftertaste.

O: I was disappointed with the smell and worried that I was going to be drinking liquid nickel mixed with alcohol but the taste was great. Would love to have a chance to have it on tap!

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 04:42:21 | More by Maltmaiden

MadScientist

New York

4.24/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

A: black with a deep garnet showing on the edge. The persistent head is a half finger of medium-brown, compact bubbles.

S: It smells like brownies with a shot of chocolate liqueur and a splash of Bourbon. There is a moderate malt sweetness with moderate coffee and roast. A moderately-strong chocolate aroma is complemented and given depth from a moderate vanilla that the oak barrel brought to the party. A s

T: A blend of moderately-strong chocolate and bourbon flavors with a moderate oak barrel character that brings a vanilla flavor. A moderate hops bitterness and not much in the way of hops flavor maybe just a touch of citrus hops flavor. Moderately-strong malt sweetness making for a balance that is slightly towards the sweet. The finish is medium with an aftertaste of chocolate and roasted malt flavors with some hops bitterness.

M: A smooth, somewhat cream medium-full bodied with moderate carbonation. There is a light bit of alcohol warmth.

O: A well balanced beer where the three primary flavors of roasty Imperial Stout, chocolate and bourbon barrel aging complement each other. The smell has a lot of depth and complexity and is really impressive.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 02:04:22 | More by MadScientist

bensbeers

Maryland

3.63/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bomber into a dogfish head snifter. A deep velvet black; as dark as night with a head the color of espresso; not too thick, but it lingered long enough. Nose is mostly chocolatey and boozy; a hint of coffee beans and dried fruits-cherries, apricots. Taste follows the nose - mostly boozy and chocolatey; flavors are a bit overpowering; wish I was able to taste more of the fundamental elements of the beer - roasted malts, yeast, bitterness of hops. Mouthfeel wasn't too bad; mediumish body with a nice finish; for as boozy as it was, it didn't linger too long.

Heavy seas has done better. I think they tried too hard on this one, and it just didn't work out. I wish there was a stronger malt profile. It was present, but totally overpowered by the sweet taste of chocolate. Worth trying, but don't recommend if you're trying to impress someone. Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 04:21:48 | More by bensbeers

gcamparone

Rhode Island

4.3/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22 oz bomber into an oversize wine glass. The label is different than the one pictured on this site, and so is the abv (9.5) . This is part of the 2013 uncharted series, and if I find an alternate listing I'll move this review to that one. Purchased in Wakefield, RI.

A- pours an opaque black body with a 1" mocha head that reduces quickly and leaves some uniform lacing.

S- I get chocolate covered raisins and coffee beans, with some slight vanilla bourbon in the background. Subtle aroma

T- Huge vanilla notes upfront, progresses into cocoa, dark chocolate, and a nice roasty flavor that stays on the tongue for a bit. The bourbon flavor is minimal, so -.25 for that. slight booze

M- thick and robust, just how I like a good imperial stout. Medium carbonation

I really enjoyed this brew - not much bourbon character, but rating it as an imperial stout it's pretty impressive.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2013 23:47:36 | More by gcamparone

oline73

Maryland

3.55/5  rDev -3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a very dark brown with a half finger of tan head that goes away quickly. Smell is slightly sweet with a hint of chocolate. The taste is smooth enough with lots of roast backed up by a sweetness. Mild bourbon note. The finish is roasty but the sweetness goes away.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 23:14:27 | More by oline73

ckollias

Maryland

3.98/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Enjoyed this bottle out of a large snifter glass.

A: Pours a dark black hue with a thick tan-brown 2-finger head that slowly dissipates leaving a partial trail down the glass and ending in a solid lace.

S: Strong chocolate malty aroma. Toasted malt and caramel present in the background.

T: Dark rich chocolate ale flavor that is very sweet with a with a roasted malt background. Some mild coffee tones but mostly chocolate.

M: Very strong and boozy. Very Heavy body and medium carbonation.

O: Solid imperial chocolate stout. A nice sipping beer @ 8 % alcohol by volume.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2012 00:07:23 | More by ckollias

RonfromJersey

New Jersey

3.45/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Light tan bubbly foam, four fingers rapidly decaying to oil slick with snap-crackle-pop. No lace. Black body with ruby highlights.

Rich deep chocolate aroma is overpowering and inviting.

Taste begins with a quick dollop of Hershey syrup. Quickly, too quickly, followed by deep roast coffee, more roast than coffee, which wipes away the chocolate. Earthy hop bite at he swallow leads to a tingle in he afterglow.

Mouthfeel is smooth and full, but a bit thin compared to others of style.

Not bad, but not bad is not good enough in a style that brings expectations of greatness.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2012 04:23:59 | More by RonfromJersey

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First had: on tap at Pinocchio's, Media, PA

12oz. pour into a stem glass, a dark black-brown body with a thin mocha head that pretty much fizzled out completely in a minute or so. The aroma was definitely the best part of this beer, with scents of sweet milky chocolate, dark malts, a touch of indistinct fruit in the background. Taste of dark malts and chocolate chips up front, with a touch of plum and a mild tea-like astringency that was well within tolerance. The chocolate flavor actually thinned out a bit as the beer warmed, which I found unusual, since most beers like this do just the opposite, but it was still nice and chocolaty throughout the session. Body wasn't quite full, and actually a bit closer to mid-range; seemed a little thinner than it should be, but it was listed as an English stout, so I suppose it fit the bill. Smooth and easily drinkable, with an appropriate ABV that didn't affect the taste. Good beer. Every bit as good as, or better than, Chocolate Rain, not to mention way cheaper and way more accessible.

Serving type: on-tap

05-26-2012 23:20:58 | More by Rifugium

Hopfenpeter

Maryland

3.18/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured into a crystal mug, tha almost black beer only produced a faint brown bubbly head, which dissipated immediately with little lacing.
The smell was of dark chocolate and cherry.
Tasting the beer I expected more complexity. There was an astringent flavor throughout the tasting, that I did not like.
Not my favorite from this usually great brewery.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2012 00:54:08 | More by Hopfenpeter

Beer_Runner

4.33/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

No enjoy by date; but, this is an 8% beer. I have had it for two months, I don't know how long it sat on the shelf before I purchased it.
Slow pour into a standard pint glass.

A: There is no head. The brew is a very dark brown and opaque. This is a very dark beer.

S: The aroma is strong chocolate and sweet malt of maybe sugar and honey. There is also a fruit aroma of sweet cherry and dried fruit of prunes, currants, and raisins.

M: The body is on the heavier side of medium. It is not as heavy as the dark color would imply. There is just a little bit of carbonation.

T: Chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate. Lots of chocolate. The is also plenty of fruit flavor of some cherry, and other dried fruits of prunes, currants, and raisins.

O: This is a really good chocolate stout; and, it would be a very good desert beer. The alcohal heat is completely hidden. This is a great blend of chocolate and fruit flavors.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 21:32:13 | More by Beer_Runner

AngusOg

Maryland

3.63/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This one is a one trick pony for sure, but it's a tastey one trick-chocolate. Smells of dark chocolate, the taste is much the same. Just enough bitterness from the beer to offset the sweetness of the chocolate, kind of like semi sweet dark chocolate. It would be nice if the chocolate did not dominate as much, maybe giving the brew a little more complexity. But i know what to expect and i buy one when it comes out each year, and when i'm in the right mood for a nice dessert type beer, this one sure hits the spot nicely.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2012 14:14:57 | More by AngusOg

smakawhat

Maryland

3.55/5  rDev -3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from the bottle into a snifter glass.

A real fizzy sounding head is made off the pour which has very little creamy togetherness, and dissolves fairly quickly, light cocoa brown in color. Body hits with a dark brown walnut with some see through red edges around, kind of almost resembles cola.

Nose is powdered milk chocolate, sort of a whoppers candy action with a malt backbone. Hints of sticky toffee and brown sugar. Very nice, kind of a different chocolate angle, might not be everyones cup of tea but I am not minding. I picture this sticking to my teeth.

Palate hits with a very wet body for an imperial, and some noticeable carbonation. Fizzy texture. Chocolate is a nice mellow bitter with some faint roast character. Hint of sweetness doesn't seem to come through on the palate. Finish reminds more of a drip coffee aftertaste and a little fleeting.

Overall it's not bad, but I expected more from what the nose hinted at.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2012 22:36:31 | More by smakawhat

jcfdez

4.15/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Even though I am not the biggest fan of choco stouts, I was very pleasantly surprised by Siren Noire. The chocolate flavor did not seem like an add-on (as with other choco stouts), but rather as an integral component of a more complex taste. The aroma was similarly complex, making the beer a truly complete experience.

Serving type: cask

03-28-2012 20:47:01 | More by jcfdez

pvo

Virginia

3.43/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

22 oz. bottle. Thin head, lots of carbonation. I want to like it, but the alcohol comes through too much for an 8% beer, and it doesn't have nearly as much depth as most of their beers- this is a perfectly good imperial chocolate stout, and that's about it.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2012 22:24:08 | More by pvo

thechaser

New York

2.85/5  rDev -22.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

22oz bottle into white wine glass.

Very dark ruby red, almost black. Tan thin head. Thin appearance.

Nose is straight up dark chocolate dominance. Slightly boozy and roasted dark malted barley.

Taste very similar to nose. Yet a bit more dark fruit, raisin, but not much. Too much carbonation for the style.

Overall this beer is slightly below average for this style for me. I was actually expecting much more out of it but I was led to an over carbonated, dark chocolate dominate stout. It had potential but didn't deliver.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2012 00:38:27 | More by thechaser

ryan1788a5

Massachusetts

3.35/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

22oz bottle poured into a snifter.

A: Pours a deep black with some garnet hues and a one inch beige head. The head settles rather quickly and leaves behind only a few small patches of lacing.

S: Robust chocolatey scents of milk chocolate, black cocoa powder, and chocolate syrup. Roasted malts add mocha-like aromas of their own. Faint raspberry and plum within all this. A chocolate bomb.

T: Milk chocolate on the attack, distinct black cocoa powder follows. Very subtle hint of acidity and tart fruit. Touch of oily, green, leafy hop tastes. Smokey roasted malt tastes assert themselves toward the finish. Lingering finish consists of a heavy dose of black cocoa powder.

M: Medium bodied, full, creamy, and silky in the mouth. Sharp carbonation.

O: Chocolate flavors are not as layered and complex as they were on the nose. The cocoa powder tastes are pretty intense and overpowering. The beer itself doesn't get to shine through as much as I'd like. A decent beer, but it just doesn't feel as cohesive as some of the better ones out there.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2012 05:17:11 | More by ryan1788a5

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - A bit light for an imperial stout it kind of reminds me of Peg Leg since it has a bit of ruby hue at the base and it's a bit thin. Head is also minimal with only a 1/4 inch of mocha head that quickly turns to a light lace ring. Sticky though.

S - My gawd this smells of chocolate like fudgey chocolate also reminds me of the Belgium chocolate qualities of ST Chocolat. Sweet, Sweet dessert beer!

T - Definitely not as sweet as expected but that makes it more drinkable and more beer like. Sweet melted Belgium Chocolate but not overly sweet with mild roasts and a bit of hops in the finish. Pretty sweet beer.

M - Medium bodied it's not as thick as most imperial stouts but thats not a bad thing.

Overall I went into this expecting some level of Chocolat from Southern Tier and smell confirmed its chocolate strong and sweet. Taste is more beer like but still very sweet with a good body. Not bad just not worth a repeat visit for 8 bucks a bomber.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2012 03:27:13 | More by DrDemento456

mdaschaf

Washington

3.93/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Review from notes. Consumed blind.

A: Pours a deep brown color with a one finger mocha colored head. Decent retention and lacing.

S: Lots of milk chocolate and cocoa, can't recall a beer smelling more like chocolate in a very long time. Not much else comes through, as the chocolate dominates.

T: Similarly chocolate heavy, very creamy. Just chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate.

M: Maybe a touch on the thin side, moderate carbonation.

O: A definite surprise, pretty good. A little one dimensional, but its chocolate, so it doesn't really bother me. Would pair well with dessert.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2012 21:53:51 | More by mdaschaf

wowbagger

Virginia

3.6/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a brilliant red, which I didn't expect. The head is foamy and thick.

Smells strongly of chocolate, almost like fudge.

Big sweet chocolate flavors, not too much else that I can detect. As it warms, the chocolate eases up and balances out better. It's a little one-note but good.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2012 15:50:57 | More by wowbagger

beesy

Ohio

3.88/5  rDev +6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 22oz into a Stone Cali-Belgique flute glass.

A - pours an intense, deep brown with a two finger dark kahki head

S - cocoa and milk chocolate dominate every other aspect of this beer.

T - the taste follows the nose with notes of chocolate and cocoa. I getbsome vanilla too - almost like a mocked barrel aged vanilla. A bitter baking chocolate note lingers slightly on the palate.

M - somewhat thin. Almost too thin to hold the massive chocolate flavors.

D - for 8.5% abv, it's fairly sessionable.

Overall, I really enjoy this beer even though it gets beat up a little in the reviews. Not quite as put together as Choklat, but I dont think its too far off. At $5.99 a bomber, this is a huge alue compared to Choklat.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2012 00:21:10 | More by beesy

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22 bottle into a pint glass.

Pours black, with a ½ finger of dark mocha head. This maintains a thin creamy foaminess, leaving back a heavy cascade of spotty lace when swirled. The aroma smells like straight up chocolate syrup, with some additional cocoa powder accents behind it. There is a light earthy hop presence that is barely detectable underneath, as that chocolate flavor just totally dominates the nose.

This carries over to the taste, which feels like I’m drinking liquefied tootsie rolls. Thankfully there is more of a balance than there was in the aroma, with green bitter citrus and dark roast helping to counterbalance all of that chocolate sweetness. It’s actually the hops and roast that end up finishing this, with light char and pith sticking to the tongue. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, maybe a bit fuller feeling, with a sharp and crisp feel to the carbonation down the center of the tongue. That 8% ABV is well hid here, basically just adding some extra fullness to this and that is about it.

It you like your Chocolate Stouts with extra chocolate; you’re probably going to dig this one. Unfortunately, it was a little too much for me at times but this certainly promises what is advertised. This is a good one to split with somebody.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2012 20:03:07 | More by Kegatron