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

metter98

New York

4.38/5  rDev +19.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: It poured dark brown with hardly any head
S: There are faint aromas of roasted, burnt malt
T: There are mild chocolate flavors with only a slight amount of bitterness
M: It's medium-bodied with some creaminess
D: It would be very easy to drink more than one of these in a single sitting

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2010 17:32:17 | More by metter98

nickthetick

Maryland

4.38/5  rDev +19.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: pours a opaque brown/black with a thin khaki head that leaves no lacing.

S: dark chocolate, dark roaster malt, very sweet nose.

T: the dark cocoa starts and is there for the entire experience, it provides both sweet and bitter notes. There is some smokey malt notes and it all covers the alcohol extremely well.

MF: sweet and warming, full bodied and bold.

D: I wish it was around all year but its not and its a little hard to find when it comes out.

Serving type: on-tap

02-19-2011 20:07:05 | More by nickthetick

mattcrill

Ohio

4.35/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Aroma: Lots of dark roasted malts. Chocolately aroma with coffee highlights. Moderate earthy hop bitterness.

Appearance: Dark shoe leather brown pour with a firm tan head that retains well. Lacing is moderate and leaves nice legs on the glass.

Flavor: More coffee and chocolate notes. Nice roasted grain profile. Earthy hop bitterness balances all the roasted malt character. Finish is clean, bitter, and dry.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with medium-high carbonation. A moderate coffee-like astringency is noted. It is pleasant and appropriate.

Overall impression: A nice coffee and chocolate flavored beer. It is nice to have a beer that has a chocolate/coffee profile that is due to the grains and not artifical/extra flavorings. I really enjoyed this beer. Nicely done!!!

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2010 21:16:24 | More by mattcrill

TMoney2591

Illinois

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

Served in a Dogfish Head snifter.

Not finding the words today (damn headaches), so it's a brief return to the old, overly-straightforward review style:

Pours a deeply opaque jet black with a little whisp of a head that dissipates quickly. The chocolate is pretty heavy in the nose, with molasses, brown sugar, figs, dark malts, and a tinge of coffee hanging around as well. The taste generally follows, though the chocolate has shifted into the powdered cocoa realm. A fair amount of sweetness is balanced by the subtly bitter coffee in the background. Though lighter than I would have expected, the light carbonation and the velvety feel (technically, I think velvet feels like this), combined with the tastiness, make for a very drinkable brew.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2010 03:10:33 | More by TMoney2591

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

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

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Reviewed from notes.

Poured into a snifter. Appearance is ebony with a light brown head. Initial several-finger head dies down somewhat quickly. A bit of lacing. Nose is strong chocolate and roasted malt. Chocolate really pervades throughout, but has a nice presence. Taste is chocolate and a bit of roast. Good feel from the slightly-bitter chocolate. Drinks quite well and is one of the better chocolate beers I've had.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2010 02:29:54 | More by Thorpe429

jgnam

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this on tap at Rustico in Arlington, VA, and it was amazing. It may have the most refined chocolate flavor out there in a beer; it doesn't just taste like ANY chocolate, it has the distinct character of a belgian import. More importantly, I would argue that the flavor is well balanced for a brew of this sort; as undeniably prominent as the chocolate flavor is, it's not overwhelmingly sugary like Southern Tier's chocolate stouts, the alcohol bites a bit, and there are other notes in there.

I will admit that the nose is undeniably lacking in subtlety. It smells like chocolate, nothing else. However, the mouthfeel strikes a great balance; a malty, milky quality much greater than cheap swill stouts, but not so heavy it'll bowl you over.

If you prefer your chocolate flavors pushed further in the background, or you prefer more bitterness, you may take issue with Siren Noire, but I claim it superior to many popular chocolate stouts (Young's, Brooklyn Black) and among the best.

Serving type: on-tap

02-08-2011 02:30:55 | More by jgnam

marlinsfan4

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tried this beer on a whim, was looking for a high ABV bomber and this fit the bill.

Pours a jet black, nice brownish head. Smell is of strong cocoa flavors. Taste is nice and creamy, nice and heavy taste to it. Mouthfeel is delicious, feels good on the palette. The chocolate taste really comes through in this one, way more than most other 'chocolate ____' beers I've had. Solid beer, nice dessert beer or one to have on a nice cold night. Recommended for sure.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2011 21:30:55 | More by marlinsfan4

AgentMunky

California

4.25/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22 ounce bottle into a

A: Great head, creamy and thick. Black and opaque.

S: It smells like a goddamn chocolate bar. Like actual dark chocolate. And nothing else. Unbelievable.

T: Uhh...it TASTES like alcoholic hot chocolate (that's cold). Paired with real chocolate and -- honestly -- I can't tell the difference. Perhaps some hop bitterness? Not much else to say; very one-dimensional, which is the only reason I'm not rating Taste higher.

M: The carbonation and (relative?) thinness detracts from the utter, irrevocable chocolateyness.

O: If you didn't get it from the above review, this is a beer that only tastes like chocolate. If you like that, move heaven and earth to get it. If not, stay far far away. I realise I've rated it highly, but I'm considering style...and the sheer, unadulterated chocolate flavours.

Notes: Paired with Marabou Daim (from Sweden).

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2012 05:17:01 | More by AgentMunky

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

nukem5

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: HOLY SMOKE, Beautiful black pour with loveley head of creamy foam which sadly lasted only half the beer.

S: Rich chocholate and coffee assualt nose on first contact traces of molases and lite nuttiness.

T: First sip was an awakening of senses, flavors lite up all over the tongue, massive amounts of coffee and chocolate.

M: nice full body light carbonation and thick

D: very drinkable if you like stouts you should love this one, from start to finish exelent beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2010 02:51:32 | More by nukem5

biggred1

Indiana

4.22/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Ebony with scarlet highlights when held to the light and a dense cocoa colored head. Rich and roasty with cocoa, bittersweet chocolate, star anise and coffee in the nose. Silky smooth cocoa and dark chocolate with black coffee and a touch of fennel. Full bodied with smooth carbonation. Another fine offering from the seemingly endless "Mutiny Fleet" of well priced bombers.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2010 01:28:14 | More by biggred1

jjboesen

Maryland

4.22/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This Imperial Chocolate Stout is part of the Heavy Seas Mutiny Fleet "Big Beer Series," whatever this portends. In any case, I purchased a bomber of this black beauty; it pours a thick beige froth, one that slowly subsides into a tar-black body wearing an imperial crown of foam.

There is a strikingly powerful miasma of cocoa powder that hits the nose; concurrently, the poor palate is beseiged by a chocolate syrup blanket imbedded with a sweet and toasty fade.

This is heavy as per the style - not so in comparison with Old Rasputin. Its complexity lies in the temperature. Do not drink it cold; let it warm up. Then do battle. Another fine presentation from the folks at Clipper City - ahem, Heavy Seas.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2010 23:59:03 | More by jjboesen

Brent

Kentucky

4.22/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Nicely executed - somewhere in the American/Russian Imperial Stout middleground. Tarry black pour with distinct chocolate notes in the aroma. Semi to bittersweet chocolate flavor in well intertwined with a darkly roasted malt notes. Moderate sweetness compliments the chocolate, but bittering moves in toward the finish. Only detraction - why can't the brewery hire a real artist for the labels on this series?

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2010 15:51:26 | More by Brent

MacDaddyJ

North Carolina

4.2/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This American Imperial Chocolate Stout is the newest release in Heavy Seas "Mutiny Fleet". It pours a dark black with some dark brown highlights and a small tan head. The aroma gives off lots of semi-sweet chocolate and coffee, with a hint of cherries on the end. The flavor follows through pretty well on the promises of the aroma. This stout comes off pretty sweet as well, but has a nice spice in the background that along with a faint hop bitterness work to balance the sweetness from the malt and chocolate. This beer finishes nice and smooth with some residual chocolate and coffee lingering on your palate. Siren Noire is surprisingly easy to drink despite the 8.0% abv

Serving type: on-tap

03-02-2010 20:29:49 | More by MacDaddyJ

Daktyls

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a nice pitch black leaving very little overall head with a very fine, and small amount of lacing on the surface which dissipates fairly quickly.

S: Smells of unsweetened chocolate with some maltiness, finishing with some coffee scents.

T: Initially tastes just like the smell. Unsweetened chocolate is definitely the most prominent followed by a slight amount of maltiness and like other reviewers have noted, a little like watered down iced coffee.

M: Medium amount of carbonation which sits nicely on the tongue. Finishes fairly crisply.

D: Very drinkable, would definitely have another.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2010 23:19:15 | More by Daktyls

ShadesOfGray

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into my Portsmouth tulip. Pours a medium black, relatively light as it pours. Deeper black once it fills the glass. A very late head forms about half a finger, darker tan...and it dissapates just as quickly. Light and fizzy/watery lacing.

Aroma is light, but good. Sweet-chocolate mostly, and malty. Very faint booze smell.

Wow, this is an interesting stout. It starts off, when cold...very carbonated, fizzy...light in the flavor, but a definite under lying potential. I knew this would get better. Let this warm up quite a bit. The chocolate really takes a bigger part, and the carbonation really goes down(from what it seems). Very good beer! A little light for a stout, but by characteristic...it fits.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2010 04:07:11 | More by ShadesOfGray

mwrecording

Maryland

4.15/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Was excited to pick this up.

Poured a typical stout color, dark black.
Smell is very chocolately - sweet. It isn't an overpowering one, but a solid one.

Taste...first sip was a treat, the reviews of this aren't overwhelmingly positive, so I expected this to be a bit flat or light.
Big chocolate taste, big roasty malts taste. Not really any bite but I don't know that I should really be expecting it as this isn't a hoppier stout.

Mouthfeel is probably the only drawback of this, on one hand its nice that its easy to drink and eases you into doing more than sipping it but on the other hand its sort of...watery. real thin.

Drinkability - I could probably have 2 of these on a winter evening. Don't taste the 8%. Easy to drink.

For $5.50 a bomber, this is a solid beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2011 04:01:30 | More by mwrecording

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

deltatauhobbit

Maine

4.13/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a brown color with some reddish hues around the edges when held up to the light, smallish tan head, sticks around for a little while before fading fast away, not much lacing.

Wow, huge freakin' chocolate nose on this puppy, smells like chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate of the sweet variety, if this was served warm I'd think it was hot cocoa, touch of roasted malt behind the sweetness.

The chocolate follows up in the taste quite well when compared to the nose although the roasted malt plays a slightly larger role, not cloyingly sweet fortunately as its more of a cocoa nib flavor over Hershey's chocolate, strength is well hidden and not evident at all, nice creamy mouthfeel, good amount of carbonation that's soft.

Reminds me a lot of Southern Tier's Choklat with the one exception that this isn't as sweet.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2011 22:08:58 | More by deltatauhobbit

morebeergood

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev +12%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at American Craft in Brookline. Served in an 11 oz glass. Dark brown color. Slight lacing. Great toasted malt smell. Taste was exceptional. Definitely had a roasted coffee flavor, but also a very pronounced dark chocolate aftertaste. Delicious. Mouthfeel was great, thick for a stout but smoother than normal. Only negative note is that it is very sweet for an imperial stout. Would not desire to drink a lot of this beer at one time, but would be an excellent after dinner beer or paired with a chocolate dessert. One of the better chocolate stouts I have tried.

Serving type: on-tap

03-15-2010 16:39:41 | More by morebeergood

superspak

Michigan

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

22 ounce bottle into snifter. Pours very dark brown color with a dense 1 finger tan head with good retention. A thin lacing cap lingers for the remainder of the glass. Aromas of strong milk and dark chocolate; with some roasted malt and caramel as well. Not very complex here, but it sure smells damn good, like a tootsie roll. Taste of strong chocolate once again, with some roasted malts and caramel. Maybe a bit of dark fruits and coffee mixed in there as well. A very small amount of bitterness is present on the finish, but isn’t around for long. Lots of roasted and chocolate flavor lingers after the finish. No alcohol noticed in the taste at all, but a decent warming is present on the finish. Medium carbonation with a fairly full and creamy body. Very smooth drinking as well for the alcohol level. Overall, quite an tasty chocolate stout, nice smoothness and good balance.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2011 07:47:06 | More by superspak

tone77

Pennsylvania

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

Poured from a brown 22 oz. bottle. Has a black color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is strong of chocolate, some malts. Taste is also chocolatey, roasyed malts, just a touch of hops. Feels full bodied in the mouth and overall is a high quality beer worth seeking out.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2011 15:07:16 | More by tone77

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