Sarsaparilla 666 Bourbon Barrel Root Beer Stout
Dark Horse Brewing Company

Sarsaparilla 666 Bourbon Barrel Root Beer StoutSarsaparilla 666 Bourbon Barrel Root Beer Stout
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From:
Dark Horse Brewing Company
 
Michigan, United States
Style:
American Imperial Stout
ABV:
12%
Score:
88
Avg:
3.94 | pDev: 14.97%
Reviews:
20
Ratings:
204
Status:
Active
Rated:
Sep 09, 2019
Added:
Jan 09, 2012
Wants:
  33
Gots:
  33
Collaboration with Cleetus Friedman of City Provisions. Brewed with organic sarsaparilla & vanilla bean.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by JCam9981:
Photo of JCam9981
Rated by JCam9981 from North Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -11.2%

Feb 11, 2014
More User Ratings:
Photo of GuyFawkes
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois

4.42/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
2016 vintage; drank 1/26/16 on draft @ Fountainhead.

Black appearance.

Nice dark tan head; almost no lace.

Vanilla, milk chocolate & root beer notes in the nose.

Medium thick, creamy mouthfeel.

Vanilla, rich milk chocolate & root beer flavors up front; dry oak notes on the finish. No booze heat.

Less sweet than Sarsaparilla Six; an interesting, delicious variant.
Sep 09, 2019
 
Rated: 3.68 by lochef81 from Michigan

Mar 09, 2017
 
Rated: 1.78 by billab914 from Virginia

Jan 06, 2017
 
Rated: 2.37 by siege06nd from Virginia

Jan 06, 2017
Photo of SerialTicker
Reviewed by SerialTicker from Michigan

3.84/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
On-tap at HopCat Detroit's Wood & Wild a few weeks ago.

While I like this beer, I'll say right off that I'm shocked this has an 88 rating on BA... I assume that the rating is that high because people are like me -- likely trying this because they're fans of root beer.

Truthfully one of the more unique beers I have had. Unlike "Not Your Father's", this actually has some beer flavor to it, and the bourbon barrel is a great compliment to the sarsaparilla -- BUT -- this beer comes off as borderline cloying. Maybe that's the wrong word ... I don't so much find it too sweet, as much as the flavor of the sarsaparilla becomes a bit much and prevents me from imagining drinking much more than the snifter I had of it.

At 12%, this beer will hit you hard. It drinks a bit warm, but I would have figured this was about 8% ABV rather than the 12% it clocks in at if I hadn't known better.

Looks like oil, smells like root beer, and tastes like bourbon-y, oak-y root (or birch) beer with a beer-like roastiness.

Super interesting, and glad to have tried it.
Oct 23, 2016
 
Rated: 3.5 by Nat1975 from Indiana

Oct 22, 2016
 
Rated: 4.24 by kidzord from Illinois

Sep 10, 2016
Photo of devilfluff
Reviewed by devilfluff from New Jersey

3.25/5  rDev -17.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Bottle was a gusher, got all over the place. Some root beer flavor, but not enough. Not much barrel. Kind of a mess overall. Thinner than I expect from a barrel aged stout.
Jul 02, 2016
 
Rated: 2.95 by LloydDobler from Indiana

Jun 12, 2016
Photo of Viperman1316
Rated by Viperman1316 from Indiana

3.36/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 1.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.25
This thing was all over the place, I'll never drink it again.
Jun 02, 2016
 
Rated: 3.81 by Ryan_Sch from Michigan

May 10, 2016
 
Rated: 3.5 by teamwiggum from Wisconsin

Apr 20, 2016
Photo of Treyliff
Reviewed by Treyliff from West Virginia

4.24/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
2015 vintage
black wax top 12oz bottle poured into a teku

A- we've got a gusher. After frantically pouring into the glass, it pours jet black with a dark brown foamy head that retains for a while, but eventually dissipates to leave nothing behind

S- aroma immediately gives off notes of sassafras root, followed by undertones of smoky charred malt, dark chocolate, black licorice, wet oak & hints of vanilla & cinnamon. Not finding any bourbon in the aroma

T- sassafras root flavor up front just like on the nose, almost imparts a cinnamon-like flavor. The mid palate brings some dark chocolate and black licorice flavors, followed by tons of woody & earthy notes. The finish gives a bit of vanilla with a linger of more sassafras root and impressions of cinnamon, maybe just a hint of bourbon

M- medium body and carbonation leads to a foamy mouthfeel that continues into the finish, abv is hidden well

O- really enjoyed the root beer notes throughout. It tastes very much like cinnamon, and gives off the flavor of a Mexican spiced stout without the pepper heat, very good
Apr 16, 2016
 
Rated: 2.55 by vfgccp from New York

Apr 12, 2016
 
Rated: 3.96 by CSO from Illinois

Mar 22, 2016
 
Rated: 4.02 by Evan from Maryland

Mar 13, 2016
Photo of Slack
Reviewed by Slack from Virginia

4.05/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Ruby brown to deep brown in color with an inch plus of head that settles to maybe a quarter of an inch. Lacing is moderate as it drinks down.

Smell is dominated by a mix of saparilla, oak, and wood, with more subtle vanilla.

Taste is root beer up mixed roasted malt filled by bourbon in the middle and a saparilla oaky finish.

Mouthful is medium and a bit thin. Carbonation is medium to high. Finish is dry and lingers.

This beer is probably a love it or hate it. The aroma of saparilla and oak is very strong. The taste is much better and mimics a root beer with its profile. Very drinkable with hidden alcohol. I would try it if on tap.
Mar 13, 2016
 
Rated: 3.94 by costanzo_mike from Massachusetts

Mar 11, 2016
 
Rated: 4.03 by Hootie159 from Massachusetts

Mar 11, 2016
Sarsaparilla 666 Bourbon Barrel Root Beer Stout from Dark Horse Brewing Company
Beer rating: 88 out of 100 with 204 ratings