-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Dark Truth
Boulevard Brewing Co.
- From:
- Boulevard Brewing Co.
- Missouri, United States
- Style:
- American Imperial Stout
Ranked #1,720 - ABV:
- 9.7%
- Score:
- 89
Ranked #11,013 - Avg:
- 3.99 | pDev: 10.78%
- Reviews:
- 803
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Feb 28, 2024
- Added:
- Feb 28, 2010
- Wants:
- 130
- Gots:
- 549
Throughout the ages, man has been fascinated by the quest for hidden knowledge, the search for the secret to transforming the elemental into the extraordinary, the simple into the sublime. Ladies and gentlemen, we present for your consideration this exotic, inky concoction, the almost magical creation of our modern day alchemists who have turned humble grains—barley, wheat, rye, and oats—into black, liquid gold. Layers of complex flavors slowly emerge from the glass: espresso, roasted fig, crème brulée. Belgian yeast provides a plum-like fruitiness, noble German hops reveal spicy, herbal notes, while the rich, velvety mouthfeel mellows to a dry, smoky finish.
60 IBU
60 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by jondeelee:
Reviewed by jondeelee from Massachusetts
4.2/5 rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.2/5 rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Dark Truth opens with a rich, malty nose that is not entirely what I normally expect from a stout. Still present here are the typical stout aromas--coffee, ash, chocolate malt--but these are comparatively light, and joined by a large sugary swirl that brings in heavy brown sugars and molasses, coffee cream, dark caramels, and some vanilla and fig. The result is enticing, reminding me of some of the more exotic flavored black coffees.
On the tongue, the beer opens with a fast jolt of tobacco ash and coffee grinds, very much in contradiction to the sugars present in the nose. These initial bitter, black flavors are not tempered by time, continuing to grow on the tongue and joined by chocolate and black malt flavors, as well as touches of anise and pepper. Some brown sugars do provide relief from the char, and a good hop-brought bitterness (60 IBUs) and grapefruit citrus zest also help temper the brew. Subsequent mouthfuls reveal a fuller fruit base, with figs and port wine flavors joining, somewhat oddly, white grape. A medium-strong alcohol bite growls at the edges, thanks to the 9.7% ABV, but is largely held in check. The aftertaste is a mouthful of delicious char, with some sugars remaining, and fades with medium quickness. Mouthfeel is medium, and carbonation is medium-high.
Overall, this is good stout, and the dark fruit flavors revealed in later mouthfuls provide nice counterpoint to the initial coffee and tobacco ash bitterness. The mouthfeel is oddly light, given the strength of the flavors, and the ashy aftertaste can be a bit much, but this is still worth trying for stout-lovers.
Nov 07, 2011On the tongue, the beer opens with a fast jolt of tobacco ash and coffee grinds, very much in contradiction to the sugars present in the nose. These initial bitter, black flavors are not tempered by time, continuing to grow on the tongue and joined by chocolate and black malt flavors, as well as touches of anise and pepper. Some brown sugars do provide relief from the char, and a good hop-brought bitterness (60 IBUs) and grapefruit citrus zest also help temper the brew. Subsequent mouthfuls reveal a fuller fruit base, with figs and port wine flavors joining, somewhat oddly, white grape. A medium-strong alcohol bite growls at the edges, thanks to the 9.7% ABV, but is largely held in check. The aftertaste is a mouthful of delicious char, with some sugars remaining, and fades with medium quickness. Mouthfeel is medium, and carbonation is medium-high.
Overall, this is good stout, and the dark fruit flavors revealed in later mouthfuls provide nice counterpoint to the initial coffee and tobacco ash bitterness. The mouthfeel is oddly light, given the strength of the flavors, and the ashy aftertaste can be a bit much, but this is still worth trying for stout-lovers.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by 1BrewBacca from Georgia
3.92/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.92/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A quintessential pour. Dark, rich liquid, and a decent light brown head.
Strong dark chocolate notes through and through.
Slight bitterness on the finish.
Overall very good. I see more of these in my future.
Oct 22, 2023Strong dark chocolate notes through and through.
Slight bitterness on the finish.
Overall very good. I see more of these in my future.
Reviewed by RaulMondesi from California
3.67/5 rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.67/5 rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
I’m just gonna toss this one out there well and big: Raul does not have any dark truths. Like, you won’t see a pic of me in pink panty house and “balleting” like a goody goody gum drop. Either way, this beer is just ok. Almost a bit of a smoked meat flavor. But honesty, not terrible.
Whatever.
Aug 12, 2023Whatever.
Reviewed by MadMadMike from France
3.74/5 rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.74/5 rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
12 oz bottle, almost room temp, into an Angry Chair snifter. Small brown head up over dark brown brew.
Smells of coffee and burnt brown sugar.
Taste is coffee and cacao up front, everything else comes off as sublime. Nothing really up front, which means that there’s balance under the percolator.
Feels kinda thin, medium carb.
Overall, it’s OK. Nothing fantastic - but I still hold Boulevard Brewing in high regard.
Feb 20, 2023Smells of coffee and burnt brown sugar.
Taste is coffee and cacao up front, everything else comes off as sublime. Nothing really up front, which means that there’s balance under the percolator.
Feels kinda thin, medium carb.
Overall, it’s OK. Nothing fantastic - but I still hold Boulevard Brewing in high regard.
Reviewed by gonesail from Florida
4.05/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.05/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
this imperial stout was one of the best I have had. most important for me was a lack of bitterness and deep malt taste without excessive hopping. it is very dark .. pretty much opaque and develops a nice head. there is a chocolate flavor. I like strong beer and this one delivers on that. it is a great cold weather or seasonal brew.
Feb 11, 2023Reviewed by JKENNEKE
3.75/5 rDev -6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.75/5 rDev -6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
January 2023. At first sight metallic taste, but after allowing it to breathe for a while, tasted much better slightly bitter not extremely deep flavor palette, though it is rich tasting, not overly powering.
Jan 14, 2023Reviewed by VABA from Virginia
4.25/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a very dark color with a slight tan head and lacing
Aroma has molasses, malt and espresso hints
The taste follows the nose with a molasses, malt and espresso flavor
A medium bodied decently carbonated beer
A nice well balanced stout
Dec 11, 2022Aroma has molasses, malt and espresso hints
The taste follows the nose with a molasses, malt and espresso flavor
A medium bodied decently carbonated beer
A nice well balanced stout
Dark Truth from Boulevard Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
89 out of
100 with
2740 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!