Saranac Chocolate Lager
Matt Brewing Company / Saranac Brewery

Saranac Chocolate LagerSaranac Chocolate Lager
Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
Matt Brewing Company / Saranac Brewery
 
New York, United States
Style:
Bock
ABV:
6%
Score:
77
Avg:
3.37 | pDev: 15.13%
Reviews:
65
Ratings:
176
Status:
Active
Rated:
May 20, 2018
Added:
Nov 27, 2011
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  6
Saranac Chocolate Lager is a sinfully delicious deep amber lager made with certified organic cacao from Belize. Our brewers looked far and wide for the highest quality cacao to create a smooth chocolaty taste that only comes from the most exclusive cacao plants. We used the roasted seeds of these decadent plants and perfectly paired them with caramel malt and German Hallertau hops to create a malty chocolate sweet flavor. You'll love savoring this beer with your favorite holiday foods or on its own for a delicious treat!

15 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Photo of Mr-Beer
Rated by Mr-Beer from New York

3.5/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Dark amber color. Smooth rich dark chocolate taste.
May 20, 2018
 
Rated: 3.52 by Bryant1985 from North Carolina

May 22, 2016
 
Rated: 3 by FreshButterbeer from Iowa

Feb 09, 2015
 
Rated: 3.25 by spycow from Illinois

Nov 28, 2014
 
Rated: 3.28 by stevehagy from New York

Nov 22, 2014
Photo of fscottkey
Reviewed by fscottkey from New York

3.03/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
A: [3.00] Nice clear mahogany color. There is very little head on this beer - just a thin white trace on the top. No lacing at all. There is a best by date (3/31/13 - so this beer is *very* old)

S: [3.00] Biscuity and bready. There are caramel and malty notes too. As it warms there are slight wafts of chocolate.

T: [3.00] This first few sips are very traditional lager flavor. Nice balance of malty sweetness. Maybe a slight bit of chocolate on the finish - but just barely.

M: [3.25] The carbonation level is right. There isn't much body - but I suspect this is low ABV

O: [3.00] If you poured this in a glass (and didn't tell me what it was) I don't think I'd pick up any chocolate flavor. It is subtle, even when I am looking for it. To be fair this is a beer that was in the back of the fridge for a long time - so it may have lost some/all of its character. The beer is pleasant and is actually nicer as it warms.
Sep 26, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by Skabiski from Maryland

Sep 20, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by WVbeergeek from West Virginia

Aug 28, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by WesMantooth from Ohio

Aug 12, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by patre_tim from Thailand

Jul 19, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by mmmbeerNY from New York

Jun 16, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by dpgoblejr from New Hampshire

Jun 11, 2014
 
Rated: 1 by ArsMoriendiOU818 from Virginia

Jun 08, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by KevMo84 from California

Jun 03, 2014
 
Rated: 2.75 by Durandal_777 from Pennsylvania

May 18, 2014
 
Rated: 2.75 by ZOSO2192 from New York

Mar 30, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by ShepardCommander from Virginia

Feb 01, 2014
 
Rated: 2 by brutesdad from New Hampshire

Jan 29, 2014
Photo of dogfishandi
Reviewed by dogfishandi from New York

3.47/5  rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
12 oz bottle at fridge temp poured into a pint glass.

Pours out a fairly clear chestnut amber color, a little bit of a fine sediment visible. About one finger of off white head from a rather vigorous pour. Not the greatest head retention and only a little bit of lace that is quick to fall back into the beer from a swirl of the glass.

Kind of a strange meaty, cocoa aroma. Some toasted grain and lager like mineral yeast.

Light cocoa at first, cleaner than the aroma, cocoa becomes more noticeable towards the end of the glass as it warms. Along with some toasted, light caramelized grain and a bit of a mineral like lager taste. Hints of cocoa linger into the finish.

Light to medium in body, very smooth, drinks very easily.

I couldn't see myself actually buying this, but if I found it in a fridge somewhere, I'd probably drink it again. I wasn't expecting to really find any cocoa nib notes in this beer, but to my surprise there was some halfway decent flavors.
Jan 08, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by iatethecloudsfor from Vermont

Dec 28, 2013
Saranac Chocolate Lager from Matt Brewing Company / Saranac Brewery
Beer rating: 77 out of 100 with 176 ratings