Samson Stout - Estes Park Brewery

denver10

Colorado

3.5/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours black with a foamy chocolate head and very nice lacing. The aroma offers some roastiness, some bitterness, some chocolate. Flavor starts off with a hit of roastiness, the chocolate and oats then shows itself, and it finishes with some nice bitterness. Flavor is a touch watery and flavor isn't a sharp as it could be, a little muted. Mouthfeel is on the fuller side showing some silkiness but held back because its a touch watery. Overall, not a bad beer but also not a good beer. That said, I personally kinda enjoyed it. As a sucker for oatmeal stouts, and love when they offer a bitter finish, I would drink this one again without any regrets. I just wouldn't recommend it to others.

Serving type: on-tap

08-19-2012 20:44:16 | More by denver10

manahansf

Indiana

2.7/5  rDev -20.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Creamy tan head with toffee nose over a nearly opaque black beer. Rich coffee flavors with a big malt sweetness. Slightly light body but the oatmeal makes it smooth and velvety. Low carbonation levels also increase the heaviness of the body. Sweet coffee and toffee finish with a semi-dry kick at the end.

Serving type: on-tap

03-09-2010 13:10:44 | More by manahansf

kangarooAdam59

Wyoming

3.29/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Into a pint glass:

A: pitch black colored body with a two finger off-white foamy head that dies within a minute, slightly light foamy clingy lacing

S: strong notes of chocolate and coffee up front, malts come through a bit in a roasty sort of way

T: sweet and roasty, sticky chocolate coffee aftertaste, dry finish

M: light, sessionable, perhaps a bit undercarbonated as well, wait a minute, this is a stout right? "Where's the beef, right?" Uh, ok, well, yes, seems a bit watery for a stout

O: since there's no date on it, I'm unsure if this was made this way or its lost a bit of heaviness as it could be a bit older than I know, its not a bad brew, I'd probably still have it again if I saw it again, but I'm unsure if I would actually seek it out again

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2013 15:49:53 | More by kangarooAdam59

tronester

Oklahoma

3.25/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

pours a very dark brown, almost black. pleasant aromas of coffee, some chocolate, and a hint of licorice. taste begins with a big coffee start, then some chocolate. after that some anise. earthy bitter finish. mouthfeel is a bit light for an oatmeal stout. overall a decent beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2012 00:50:09 | More by tronester

Blargimus

Colorado

3.8/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle poured into tulip. No bottling or freshness date on bottle.

Pours an opaque black coffee color, very little tan head despite the hard pour. Recedes quickly, leaves very light lacing.

Smells of coffee and roast grains, fairly sweet. Cold, there are a lot of tannin smells, but they fade as it warms slightly. Not too complex, but pleasing.

It's a pretty sweet stout. Nice and roasty, but the flavors aren't particularly strong. There's a bitterness that sticks around, but no real hop flavor. Pleasant.

Low carbonation, a little on the thick side. Not too dry in the mouth like some stouts (a.k.a. my homebrews).

Very easy to drink, low on bitterness, and pretty sweet. Low ABV, so you can drink a few (and it's not difficult to do so). It's not an in-your-face all-grown-up stout, but I'd certainly drink this again.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2012 02:08:26 | More by Blargimus

LeeryLeprechaun

Colorado

2.63/5  rDev -22.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

The beer pours a nice black color with no amber highlights and no head to speak of.

The aroma is very light with some notes of roasted malts. It would be nice if there was more to the aroma of this beer, like some coffee or chocolate.

The beer tasted watery, like coffee that was made wrong. There was a little bit of toast flavor as well.

Overall this was not an awesome beer. I would not buy one again.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2011 22:00:25 | More by LeeryLeprechaun

JoeAmerican77

Colorado

3.53/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Chocolate head over a pitch black pit, some sweet lacing... Some mild anise and roasted malts tingle the nose, also a hint of acetone in there. The flaovr of semi bitter malts and some warming alcohol bring a wonderful addition to the smooth and creamy medium body. Good beer, surprised really. I think it is a great representation of the style.

Poured some cold dark coffee in it after I'd finished half. Actually still tastes great. Not better, just different.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 18:43:25 | More by JoeAmerican77

zeff80

Missouri

3.53/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Poured out a dark, dark brown color with a small, short-lived, tan head of foam. Not much in the way of lacing. Seems to be a trend with Estes Park brews.

S - It smelled of chocolate and roasted malt. Maybe a slight hint of coffee.

T - Good dark chocolate flavor with a strong roasted malt presence. It had a slight bitterness with a touch of pine.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium bodied ale with a dry finish.

O - This is pretty good. The best Estes Park brew I've had so far.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2011 16:06:47 | More by zeff80

Spider889

Ohio

2.1/5  rDev -38.1%
look: 1.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

Live review.

This was a big "meh" the first time I tasted it with some friends during our New Years party. My buddy Mooky left some beer from WY/CO behind and this was one of them. Thanks bud!

The bottle mentions the beer is named after a poached elk named Samson and that the proceeds are going to help prevent poaching. I wish them well with their efforts.

The beer pours essentially flat. A few big soap bubbles pop up here and there, but it didn't matter how rough I poured it, nothing was going to happen. The only saving grace is the thick black color, which I deem appropriate for the style.

Smell is pretty weak. Some dark roasted coffee and bitter malts with lingering molasses.

Flavor is very bitter from lots of black malt. Bitter black coffee and mild brown sugar. Really not that much going on.

Mouthfeel is dry, bitter, and flat. Slightly watery despite the thick appearance.

Drinkability? Man I am sitting here with my head resting on my hand, slightly cocked to the side in deep and uncomfortable thought. I stare at my nearly full pint and debate if it's worth the effort to finish this thing... Probably not.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2011 06:51:20 | More by Spider889

jar2574

Missouri

2.93/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured out of a bottle into a pint glass. No head whatsoever. Very black. Smells and tastes of dark roasted malts. Leaves a slightly acidic aftertaste on the back of the tongue. More watery than most stouts, which may help with drinkablity but hurts with mouthfeel, as it's quite odd for the style.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2010 21:13:24 | More by jar2574

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Review from notes taken earlier in the week.

Bottle reads: "Samson a 1,000 pound elk was killed by a poacher. Part of the proceeds from the sale of this beer are donated to Operation Game Thief to apprehend and prosecute poachers." About all I can say to that is cheers, wish I had been able to purchase more.

Pours a black color with less than a finger of tanned head that is quick to dissolve. Nose is rich on chocolate, coffee and a bit of sweetness. There is lacing on the glass before I even take my first sip. Taste is exactly as the nose would lead you to believe. Lighter than expected mouthfeel, low carb and finishes pleasantly bitter dry.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2009 18:37:11 | More by stakem

MrHungryMonkey

Texas

3.78/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Nose is chocolaty roasted malt, mild sourness, dark ripe fruit, somewhat creamy and spicy. Smells good.

Pours pitch black with mild head. Looks good.

Nice roast malt body - chocolate, coffee, nut. Creamy with dark fruit - raisin/prune. Mild tartness and sourness. Biscuit backbone. Touch of hops. Herbal, mildly spicy and buttery. Full body, creamy soft carbonation. Finishes slightly nutty and tart. Tastes pretty good. Feels good. Good drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2009 18:15:38 | More by MrHungryMonkey

SPLITGRIN

Kentucky

3.88/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

As I strongly pour this used motor oil black bodied beer into the glass I get only about a half an inch of creamy brown head that is short lived and fades to a skim in a matter of minutes. Nose is nice and toasty and sweetly bready with some slight coco tones toward the end. Enters the mouth full and very creamy. Than in the middle of the palate you get a dynamic mix of sweet dry and slightly sour that adds nice character. Ends dry and somewhat bitter on the back of the tongue. This leads to creamy dryness, on the mouthfeel that is long and consistent. Very nicely drinkable but it drinks more like a dry stout.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2009 17:37:14 | More by SPLITGRIN

Haybeerman

Colorado

3.73/5  rDev +10%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Black, completely opaque. Poured a 1 finger creamy chocolate colored head with fair retention; dissipating slowly to an even skim. Thick even lacing.

S: Rich toasted grain that was slightly sweet.

T: Coffee up front with bitter chocolate and burnt caramel to follow. Bittering hops in the finish to balance but a bittersweet flavor lingers.

M: Medium body. Low carbonation. Smooth and silky.

D: Smooth and balanced. Nice flavors. Nopt too filling. Expected a bit more body.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2009 15:52:12 | More by Haybeerman

pmcadamis

Illinois

3.3/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A - This inky black stout has only the tiniest trace of a thin tan cap in place of a proper head. The brew itself is as black as old motor oil, but the small head and lack of decent lace leave something to be desired.

S - Rich dark chocolate and espresso bean. This has that prototypical American stout nose with a one-two combo of dark, dark chocolate and freshly ground espresso beans. Nothing happening here is extremely interesting or complex, but the simple stout notes are very well done.

T - This is sweet at first, with molasses hints before bittering up a bit with dark chocolate notes on the back end. There are some earthy soil and 'shroom notes that may be a result of age (I have no idea how old this bottle is but my brother in law picked this up for me in Fort Collins, which is only an hour's drive from Estes Park, so I'll assume it's relatively fresh. Like the nose, this is an easy going stout that is well presented in terms of style, but it's not knocking my socks of or anything.

M - On the lighter side of medium bodied, this is mildly carbonated and not all that bitter for a stout. This finishes a little roasty, and slightly sour.

D - Not bad. This is a very serviceable stout that doesn't do anything wrong, but doesn't go out of its way to shine either. Easy drinking average session stout IMO. Actually, due to the lighter body and lack of heavy bitter coffee notes, this might make an excellent choice for a summer picnic if you are feeling like something darker in the summer. Not bad at all.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2009 18:09:28 | More by pmcadamis

HoustonTX

Texas

3.1/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This beer pours motor oil black, with absolutely no head - even with an aggressive pour.

Taste has a watered down coffee profile. A dose of small grain fresh ground coffee, a bit of grounds. Followed by almost a non existent hop balance, and a watery finish.

Aroma is just not there.

The thing about this beer, is that is lacks complexity and body.
It's still drinks easily, with no off flavors. But, the fact that it's body is so thin, and the only thing that pops out is the slight coffee body - leaves you with a lot to be desired.

This one just falls short of the mark, quite disappointing.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2009 05:22:20 | More by HoustonTX

Douglas88

Utah

3.55/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bought at Sams in Grand Junction, CO. Pours a pure black color with a small light brown head. A nice aroma of burnt milk chocolate, coffee, and roasted malt, something sweet, maybe prunes also. The taste is pretty nice; sweet and light fruit, lots of sourish roasted flavors, meaty and smoked, some coffee and chocolates. Very nice. A bit thin, but overall, good.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2008 03:51:17 | More by Douglas88

HardTarget

Texas

3.6/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A) Black glass with a very thin edge of light showing through when tilted; motor oil. No head even with a firm (slightly abusive) pour.

S) Rich roasted grain with a mild sweet/milky edge.

T) Nice coffee note up front, mild stout flavor in the back all with a milk stout element. For the style (American Stout) I expect a lot more hop notes than are going on here, but the flavor is enjoyable as is.

M) Body seems a bit weak and watery, low carbonation.

O) A nice beer, no flaws, and a nice coffee element that keeps it interesting. I'd like to see some head retention and a little more chew.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2008 02:02:40 | More by HardTarget

Atron67

Wisconsin

4.1/5  rDev +20.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

P- 12 oz bottle served into a tulip glass just below RT

A- poured a pretty thick and creamy looking black that was hard to see through with a light brown head on top that faded pretty quickly and left almost nothing behind.

S- chocolate and roasted character. pretty creamy seeming here as well.

T- very smooth but strong roasted charachter dominates the palate on this one. its actually moderately complex due to a nice undertone of the chocolate and maltiness. slightly sweet malty finish which i might perfer just a touch more of malts.

M- pretty creamy with a really light carbonation

D- pretty solid session beer. could drink a few happily

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2008 02:37:53 | More by Atron67

toolbrew

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Great looking beer. Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass. Opaque! Can't see any light through the brew. Has a light tan head with some lacing down the glass. Decent head retention.

Heavy malt scent with some hints of chocolate. Sweet smell.

Can taste a hint of chocolate and some bitterness on the finish.

Bitter aftertaste lingers a little and the beer is lighter in the mouth than I expected from its appearance.

I could have a few of these per sitting. Great for a cold night.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2008 23:42:44 | More by toolbrew

timmlimestone

Wisconsin

2.78/5  rDev -18%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I am a little concerned about the complete and total lack of head on this one. Poured out like a bad bottle of homebrew I made last year. There is no head, no carbonation and no body. It is thick dark dank and strong at first, but the back end is watery and lacking in depth of field. it definately has an alcohol taste if that is all.

Appearance - Once again no head is always a bad thing.

Smell - There really wasn't much of one.

Taste - Not quite sure if it is beer.

Drinkability - Could get you drinked, but other than that it is for naught.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2008 01:45:42 | More by timmlimestone

Beaver13

Colorado

3.55/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle. Pours a dark black with no head at all.

The aroma is roasted chocolate malts and coffee and a little sweet lactose.

The flavor is watery chocolate and coffee and a touch of smoke with a burnt finish. The mouthfeel is medium bodied but extremely watery with no carbonation.

Overall, there are good components to this beer - it's very black, I like the chocolate and coffee in the taste and the smell, but the wateriness and lack of carbonation brings it down a ton. This beer shouldn't be ad either - I got it straight from the brewery less than a month ago.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2008 04:53:35 | More by Beaver13

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.5/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a black body with a thin, light tan-colored head.

Smell: Rich roasted malt aroma with a plenty of dark chocolate and, to a lesser extent, coffee.

Taste: Roasted malts and more dark chocolate and coffee, all with a solid level of sweetness. Finishes roasty and sweet.

Mouthfeel: Medium-thin body. Mild carbonation.

Drinkability: Not nearly as interesting as a necklace of human teeth, but it's not half bad. Not half bad at all!

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2007 02:20:13 | More by ChainGangGuy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

3.65/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Oreo cookie black with glimmers of ruby along the edges. The appearance score will be bumped an extra half point since there aren't too many 5.0% stouts that are opaque black. Despite a high-altitude pour, head formation is disappointing. No more than an inch of toast brown foam has formed atop the beer, and there's precious little lace. A decent cap might have turned this into a pretty good looking stout.

The nose is a pleasant surprise (considering my other experiences with Estes Park Brewery beer). It's roasted malty with aromas of crushed cocoa nibs comfortably in front of black coffee. If the flavor follows suit, this will be the best beer from these guys that I've had yet.

Although it doesn't hold up as well on the palate, Samson Stout is a commendable effort. I love the fact that the brewery used predominantly roasted malt (I'm guessing), even if they didn't use quite enough of it. There's a nice smoky char to the flavor that doesn't cross the line into burnt.

The website says that oatmeal was added for sweetness. They couldn't have used much since sweetness is fairly hard to come by. The Galena and Goldings hops were added with a heavy hand, contributing much more bitterness than flavor. That's okay, the malt doesn't need much help in the flavor department.

I've decided not to be too hard on the mouthfeel since it's *just* big enough to keep the beer moored on the light end of the American stout spectrum. The fact that it isn't overly bubbled keeps it on my good side.

Samson Stout proves that Estes Park is able to brew decent-to-good beer if they put their minds to it. If the malt load was increased by 50% (doubling it would be even better), this would be a stout worthy of its name.

[Samson was a 1000 lb. elk killed by a poacher. Part of the proceeds of the sale of this beer go to Operation Game Thief, an organization that apprehends and prosecutes poachers.]

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2007 12:45:24 | More by BuckeyeNation

kimcgolf

Georgia

3.55/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours to a pitch black color with a dark tan head of medium thickness. The body of this is very thick, almost like pouring used motor oil. Aroma is malty chocolate, and the flavor is a malty sweet mix of choclate and toffee. A good, tasty beer, although it would be better suited to a cool fall night than tonite’s 90+ degree weather.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2006 01:52:54 | More by kimcgolf