-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Chocolate Ale
Boulevard Brewing Co.
- From:
- Boulevard Brewing Co.
- Missouri, United States
- Style:
- American Strong Ale
Ranked #133 - ABV:
- 8.7%
- Score:
- 84
Ranked #22,983 - Avg:
- 3.71 | pDev: 15.9%
- Reviews:
- 332
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Dec 23, 2023
- Added:
- Feb 09, 2011
- Wants:
- 73
- Gots:
- 282
One of the brightest stars in a city filled with culinary treasures, Christopher Elbow has been handcrafting masterpieces in chocolate for more than ten years. In that time the reputation of his artistic delicacies has spread around the globe. Elbow’s sweets are distinguished by their use of unusual and sometimes surprising flavors and ingredients; in that adventurous spirit we joined forces to bring you a very special Chocolate Ale.
In developing this beer, Elbow and Boulevard brewmaster Steven Pauwels sought to harmonize the interplay of chocolate and malt, with each supporting and enhancing, but not overwhelming, the other. Just the right chocolate was essential. Elbow recommended a rare variety from the Dominican Republic, prized for its robust flavor and aroma, and a personal favorite. More than a mere flavoring, the chocolate — in the form of nibs, or crushed, roasted beans – was incorporated into the brewing process itself.
24 IBU
In developing this beer, Elbow and Boulevard brewmaster Steven Pauwels sought to harmonize the interplay of chocolate and malt, with each supporting and enhancing, but not overwhelming, the other. Just the right chocolate was essential. Elbow recommended a rare variety from the Dominican Republic, prized for its robust flavor and aroma, and a personal favorite. More than a mere flavoring, the chocolate — in the form of nibs, or crushed, roasted beans – was incorporated into the brewing process itself.
24 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by mothmanscott from Georgia
4.03/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.03/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a hazy deep amber (I suspect it would be coppery if not hazed) producing 1+ fingers of foamy, beige, somewhat lasting head that leaves little lacing. Recedes to a thin collar and a small island of surface cap with a lot of suspended particulates in the brew. Aroma is on the thin side but pleasant: slightly sweet, and malt prominent. Caramel, vanilla, bread crust and raisin with thin chocolate almost hiding in the background. Hop presence a very light. Taste is sweetish caramel, raisin and something Belgian candi sugar like fronted. Nuts, bread crust and dried apples in the middle followed by very faint vanilla and chocolate hints. There is also a light diacetyl hint. Finish is toast and fruity dried apple with some hop character in the form of a nice bitterness that's accentuated by the alcohol. Aftertaste is short-lived fruity, metallic, lightly bitter and astringent. Alcohol presence is low for the ABV but is present in the form of bitterness and spice. With all that said it is nicely balanced. Mouthfeel is medium-full bodied with moderate carbonation, slick, with a spicy prickle in the finish and astringency in the aftertaste. Very drinkable for the style and ABV. I am surprised at the low presence of vanilla and chocolate in a beer highlighting vanilla and chocolate has major components on the label.
Dec 23, 2023Reviewed by DarkLordScott from Wisconsin
3.75/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.75/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours caramel colored brew with little carbonation and nearly no head. Aroma is non-descript; elements of chocolate and light malt are here. Taste is light and retains much of the aroma elements here -- some light chocolate and malt are present, perhaps with a bit of vanilla.
Nov 15, 2023Reviewed by SpaceCamp from Virginia
3.69/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.69/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
L: Pours an amber brown that forms a thick khaki head, which fades slowly and leaves excellent retention and ton of lacing. Has a nice almond color.
S: Milk chocolate, vanilla.
T: Chocolate. Vanilla and malts. Some hops to add kick. Hints of fruit.
F: Good carbonation. Light- to moderate-feel.
O: A bit lighter than what I'd hoped for from Boulevard, yet it was satisfying and crisp. Decent ABV. Worth a sampling
Mar 18, 2023S: Milk chocolate, vanilla.
T: Chocolate. Vanilla and malts. Some hops to add kick. Hints of fruit.
F: Good carbonation. Light- to moderate-feel.
O: A bit lighter than what I'd hoped for from Boulevard, yet it was satisfying and crisp. Decent ABV. Worth a sampling
Reviewed by TurboMon_911 from New Jersey
3.87/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.87/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
(Please enjoy by 12/02/20). Poured a hazy orange amber color into a standard pint glass with small off white head, very little retention, no lacing or carbonation present; does maintain a ring around the perimeter throughout though and sediment is present towards the end . Aroma is a chocolate earthy conglomeration with vanilla bean, caramel, toffee, chicory and roasted malts present. Flavor is limited to the chocolate realm but has some interesting undertones of plums and coffee to add to its allure. Medium to full bodied with a slight alcohol burn it has a bitter sweet finish that leaves you wanting some more, but not too much more. One of the most unconventional and unique brews I've had in a long time, and that's saying a lot.
Feb 07, 2023Reviewed by whynot44 from Missouri
4/5 rDev +7.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +7.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Somewhat cloudy, floating sediment, copper/amber color with a modest off white head that settles down to just a ring .
The aroma is caramel malt and chocolate.
The taste is the same with a nice balance between the malt and the cocoa, with some nice vanilla notes, mildly sweet but finishes dry with just a bit of lingering cocoa and nice alcohol warmth.
The body is medium, moderate carbonation, smooth, very drinkable.
Altogether, this is a very nice chocolate ale, different than I expected but very tasty and enjoyable. Sometimes a more subtle approach has merit.
Feb 03, 2023The aroma is caramel malt and chocolate.
The taste is the same with a nice balance between the malt and the cocoa, with some nice vanilla notes, mildly sweet but finishes dry with just a bit of lingering cocoa and nice alcohol warmth.
The body is medium, moderate carbonation, smooth, very drinkable.
Altogether, this is a very nice chocolate ale, different than I expected but very tasty and enjoyable. Sometimes a more subtle approach has merit.
Reviewed by Rug from Massachusetts
3.73/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.73/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Best by 12/9/22
Man, I forgot I had this one in my fridge until tonight. Boulevard usually does very well with their big beers, so I’m quite surprised to see a relatively low average score on this one. That honestly makes me even more intrigued to try it, so let’s just get right into it
Pours a cloudy orange brown with a ton of particulate floating around and a finger of light tan head that quickly fades to a ring and leaves minimal lacing
The chocolate in the nose has an odd vibe to it, and it’s definitely not in the forefront as I had expected it to be. I’m picking up on aromas of banana, dark bread, sweet caramel, chocolate syrup, cherry, light herbal hops, and vanilla
It’s similarly strange in taste, but at least it tastes a bit more chocolatey. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting banana bread, sweet toffee, milk chocolate, vanilla, brown sugar, and light caramel. The swallow brings notes of milk chocolate, raisin, banana bread, acrid coffee, burnt sugar, cocoa powder, and light cherry
A medium body pairs with gentle tingling carbonation, resulting in a smooth beer. Finishes a tad wet but goes down easy given the weirdness
Yeah, weird is definitely the word for this one, perplexing even. Still, there’s something enjoyable in here, I just wouldn’t want very much of it
Nov 01, 2022Man, I forgot I had this one in my fridge until tonight. Boulevard usually does very well with their big beers, so I’m quite surprised to see a relatively low average score on this one. That honestly makes me even more intrigued to try it, so let’s just get right into it
Pours a cloudy orange brown with a ton of particulate floating around and a finger of light tan head that quickly fades to a ring and leaves minimal lacing
The chocolate in the nose has an odd vibe to it, and it’s definitely not in the forefront as I had expected it to be. I’m picking up on aromas of banana, dark bread, sweet caramel, chocolate syrup, cherry, light herbal hops, and vanilla
It’s similarly strange in taste, but at least it tastes a bit more chocolatey. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting banana bread, sweet toffee, milk chocolate, vanilla, brown sugar, and light caramel. The swallow brings notes of milk chocolate, raisin, banana bread, acrid coffee, burnt sugar, cocoa powder, and light cherry
A medium body pairs with gentle tingling carbonation, resulting in a smooth beer. Finishes a tad wet but goes down easy given the weirdness
Yeah, weird is definitely the word for this one, perplexing even. Still, there’s something enjoyable in here, I just wouldn’t want very much of it
Reviewed by MadMadMike from France
3.42/5 rDev -7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
3.42/5 rDev -7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
12 oz bottle into a snifter at fridge temperature.
Totally unremarkable throughout. It has a corn syrup element and artificial taste. It’s directionless and boring. Glad I only have one.,.
Aug 17, 2022Totally unremarkable throughout. It has a corn syrup element and artificial taste. It’s directionless and boring. Glad I only have one.,.
Reviewed by dream from Nevada
3.56/5 rDev -4%
look: 1.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25
3.56/5 rDev -4%
look: 1.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25
Does anyone know what the floaties actually are? I'm hesitant to drink them based on the ingredients listed. They are very off-putting based on the ingredient description, it doesn't make sense. Also is it using artificial vanilla extracts? They get an A+ for marketing, a C for execution.
Jul 26, 2022Reviewed by bubseymour from Maryland
4.26/5 rDev +14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.26/5 rDev +14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Golden orange color with floaties. Very weird for a chocolate ale. Once you get beyond the weird appearance in relation to the flavors, it’s a nice cholately beer. Enjoyed.
Jun 05, 2022Reviewed by dr_lager from Washington
3.68/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.68/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
For a chocolate beer, this was surprisingly un-chocolatey. But definitely sweet as it warms up, which makes it easy drinking with just a slight bite at the end. It's decent but maybe a bit bland for my taste.
Mar 12, 2022Reviewed by Iamaskier from Idaho
3.78/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.78/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
L: Reddish brown, silty, not much of a head.
S: Sweet. Lots of banana, a hint of milk chocolate.
T: Banana bread. Banana and esters at first, becoming milk chocolate and vanilla, and a hint of spicy hops.
F: Smooth, moderate carbonation. The alcohol is noticeable.
O: Pretty good, though it doesn’t have as much chocolate as I’d expect. It’s also a bit too sweet, and the chocolate that is there has a bit of an artificial flavor.
Mar 12, 2022S: Sweet. Lots of banana, a hint of milk chocolate.
T: Banana bread. Banana and esters at first, becoming milk chocolate and vanilla, and a hint of spicy hops.
F: Smooth, moderate carbonation. The alcohol is noticeable.
O: Pretty good, though it doesn’t have as much chocolate as I’d expect. It’s also a bit too sweet, and the chocolate that is there has a bit of an artificial flavor.
Reviewed by jbolger from Connecticut
3.85/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.85/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
2/28/22 A surprising & unique brew. Expected a dark, sweet ale. Instead, it’s light, not sweet at all & very drinkable. Vanilla with chocolate overtones. Would not seek out but wouldn’t mind having another.
Mar 01, 2022Reviewed by CastleBravo
3.61/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.61/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Drinking this from a bottle poured into a snifter.
This was not what I expected when I bought this beer. I expected a dark beer, maybe brown or black. It is dark, but instead of a chocolate color this is a reddish amber beer. There isn't a tremendous amount of nose - I get candy sugar and fruit, similar to Belgian-style Dubs that I have enjoyed in the past. It's also a bit cloudy with noticeable floaties that I assume are tumbled sediment.
Flavor-wise I was also in for a surprise. There seems to be quite a bit more vanilla than chocolate in this brew, or at least that is what I taste. Again, I get candy-sugar. It's a pleasant beer, but it seems odd to call this a chocolate ale.
Overall a good brew, but probably not one that I would pick up again at least if I am looking for a Chocolate Ale.
Feb 13, 2022This was not what I expected when I bought this beer. I expected a dark beer, maybe brown or black. It is dark, but instead of a chocolate color this is a reddish amber beer. There isn't a tremendous amount of nose - I get candy sugar and fruit, similar to Belgian-style Dubs that I have enjoyed in the past. It's also a bit cloudy with noticeable floaties that I assume are tumbled sediment.
Flavor-wise I was also in for a surprise. There seems to be quite a bit more vanilla than chocolate in this brew, or at least that is what I taste. Again, I get candy-sugar. It's a pleasant beer, but it seems odd to call this a chocolate ale.
Overall a good brew, but probably not one that I would pick up again at least if I am looking for a Chocolate Ale.
Chocolate Ale from Boulevard Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
84 out of
100 with
1065 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!