Mocha Death
Iron Horse Brewery

Mocha DeathMocha Death
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From:
Iron Horse Brewery
 
Washington, United States
Style:
American Strong Ale
Ranked #122
ABV:
7%
Score:
85
Ranked #20,179
Avg:
3.79 | pDev: 15.04%
Reviews:
48
Ratings:
150
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 22, 2024
Added:
Jul 05, 2009
Wants:
  21
Gots:
  25
For this seasonal offering, we started with Irish Death, our dark smooth ale that presents a full malt flavor laced with caramel, chocolate, dark fruit, and a touch of sweetness. To this heavenly ale, we added fresh, locally roasted espresso beans and pure cocoa. The result is a bit of confusion, “should this go in my coffee mug, or my pint glass?” Answer: both. This beer is up front with enormous coffee aroma, with the cocoa playing the sideline, until the taste. Lacking bitterness, the flavor comes forward with a rounded balance of coffee blending gracefully with the creamy malt body and soft cocoa flavors. Dark beer, chocolate, and coffee.
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Ratings by elektronen:
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Rated by elektronen from Montana

3.82/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Dec 28, 2014
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 5 by RyanMoran from Washington

Mar 22, 2024
 
Rated: 3.75 by McBraniel from Virginia

Jul 26, 2021
 
Rated: 3.68 by wisegreensoul from Idaho

Dec 01, 2019
 
Rated: 4.64 by Murph3688 from Washington

Nov 02, 2019
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Reviewed by StonedTrippin from Colorado

4.02/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
i was worried when i heard about the variants of this iconic northwestern dark beer that the added ingredients would obscure the base beer, overrun it with pasty adjunct character, so i was delighted when the coffee and the chocolate elements of this were appreciable but mellow enough to leave a really pretty fantastic base beer in tact. as black as it always is from the tap, a little light brown tint to the tall creamy head, and it has a fine obsidian shine in the globe. aroma here is subtle on the coffee, i get some sweet chocolate here, an irish stout type earthy roast, and some pleasing bitterness without it being too intense. the coffee is more vibrant in the taste but still subservient to the dark grain. the coffee and the chocolate go so well together, and they marry into this beer really well, as there are already suggestions of these things in the base beer, so they work to accent that. some bitterness from the cocoa at the end is cool, and this seems perhaps a little fuller bodied than the original, although its still freakishly easy drinking. im surprised its not more sweet, but thankful that it isnt, and i like the recall of the coffee in the aftertaste. a nice beer overall, delicately done really, and i appreciate that. nice on a chilly fall afternoon, and it has me keen to try the other variants of this now! they will be awesome if they keep it as subtle as they did with the extras here! i like this better than the original!

edit: drink fresh, even though this is a dark brew that seems likely to stand up well to time, it really doesnt, and smelled almost infected when i cracked one last night thats been sitting around a few months. its thin and just a touch acidic now, faded in flavor too, coffee really breaking down in an unflattering way. still decent, but way better when it first comes out each year, no denying that.
Oct 05, 2019
Photo of Fox609
Reviewed by Fox609

1/5  rDev -73.6%
look: 1 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1
This beer is absolutely disgusting! There is no espresso or mocha flavoring what-so-ever. It tastes like they mixed Guinness with Olde English 800. Smells about the same, too. If you like good beer, skip this one.
Sep 23, 2019
 
Rated: 4.11 by graham2k from Washington

Jan 08, 2019
 
Rated: 3.84 by ghasting from Washington

Nov 08, 2018
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Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho

3.5/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Bottle from Albertsons. Dark brown , small silky beige head. Light roasty aroma, mildly sweet. Taste brings some chocolate, more sweetness, light coffee bitterness. Not as much coffee as i was expecting.
Oct 26, 2018
 
Rated: 4.18 by rsteeves97 from Washington

Oct 25, 2018
 
Rated: 3.73 by Donkster46 from Washington

Oct 07, 2018
 
Rated: 3.75 by JohnDon from Texas

Oct 04, 2018
Photo of BorisNorris
Reviewed by BorisNorris from Idaho

3.23/5  rDev -14.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Pours black with a tan, creamy head. Lightly roasted grain, cocoa undertones, a little alcohol in the nose. Rich caramel flavor; roasted malt, roasted coffee, dark chocolate, dark berries. Full-bodied and creamy, medium to medium-low carbonation. Finishes off-dry with a hint of roasted malt bitterness. Overall, it's fine. I could be missing it, but I don't get a distinct espresso aroma out of it.
Oct 01, 2018
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Reviewed by timmy2b from New York

3.61/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Darkish brown color with an off white head poured from a 22oz bottle. Very mild taste with no coffee flavor. Overly sweet caramel flavor. Drinkable, but was hoping for some coffee flavors with Mocha in the name.
Feb 11, 2018
 
Rated: 3.92 by bigpoppa67 from Wisconsin

Feb 04, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by 1971bernat from Virginia

Jan 01, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by paulish from New York

Dec 03, 2017
 
Rated: 3.78 by Douglasvn from New York

Nov 22, 2017
 
Rated: 3.96 by rarigney from Washington

Nov 03, 2017
Mocha Death from Iron Horse Brewery
Beer rating: 85 out of 100 with 150 ratings