Newport Storm - Derek (Cyclone Series)
Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Co.

Newport Storm - Derek (Cyclone Series)Newport Storm - Derek (Cyclone Series)
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From:
Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Co.
 
Rhode Island, United States
Style:
American Imperial Stout
ABV:
8.7%
Score:
84
Avg:
3.68 | pDev: 11.68%
Reviews:
36
Ratings:
38
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Sep 24, 2013
Added:
Jun 22, 2006
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  0
Named after our Head Brewer, Derek, this brew is everything Derek is not—bold, dark, and very stoutlike! Loads of Chocolate and Roasted malts give this brew zero opacity. The beer is chock-full of IBU, but those darker malts mask much of the flavor of the hops, hence the additions of the aromatic Styrian Goldings!

Rumor has it that Derek with be throwing himself a 50th birthday party featuring his beer at it. Many homebrewers have requested the recipe for this and it is given below as a percentage. Bear in mind we used 8526 pounds of malt for 1200 cases, so give it try and give us a bottle! There were no final aroma hop additions.

61 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Imstillthegman:
Photo of Imstillthegman
Rated by Imstillthegman from Delaware

3/5  rDev -18.5%

Sep 24, 2013
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 2.5 by jfcaa193 from Canada (QC)

Feb 15, 2012
Photo of DrJay
Reviewed by DrJay from Texas

3.98/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Received during BC2 from aprilluvsbeer and TheManiacalOne. Thanks!
Very dark brown with faint ruby edges, this beer was topped by a fine skim of tan bubbles. The foamy ring produced some sticky lacing. Aromas of brown sugar, dry cocoa, cherries, rum soaked raisins, and a bit of roast. The flavour was similar to the aroma, with some bittersweet chocolate, caramel sweetness, prunes, sour cherry, dried fruit, green hops in the middle, and a roasty finish with a bit of mellow alcohol. Full bodied with lightish carbonation, fine bubbles, light warmth and rich, malty texture. Easy drinking for a bigger beer, very rich and malty.
Jan 26, 2008
Photo of jdhilt
Reviewed by jdhilt from New Hampshire

4.13/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours a four finger light tan head that fades slowly leaving a good sticky lace. Deep mahogany almost black color. Light carbonation and medium-heavy bodied. Roasted coffee nose. Flavor is sweet roasted coffee with a good hop backbone. Decent stout. $1.50 for a 12oz bottle from Liquid Solutions Oregon City, Or.
Jan 24, 2008
Photo of Foxman
Reviewed by Foxman from New Jersey

4/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
It pours a deep, gutsy brown, not quite black, and barely mahogany at the margins. A finger of bubbly light tan head drops to frothy suede. Icicles of lacing frost the inside of the glass.

The aroma grants a dark roasted earthiness, almost burnt and lightly sweet. Crusty bread, coffee, and dates are tickled by a mellow hop spiciness. Alcohol is present but muted.

Upon sipping, the roasted malt is smoothly sweet with chocolate, sloe, and molasses. A bite of black coffee joins malt char to truncate the sweetness with an edgy bitterness that is buttressed by a spicy hop chop. The alcohol is tropically warm and breezy. A burnt biscuit note sets off a rounded and fetchingly lingering dry, bitter finish. It's not as extreme as the series name might lead you to believe, but it does have a tasty, blended profile.

Medium bodied, it has a slick thickness that slides along with a crisp close.

Well, they kind of allude that it's extreme, and I don't think it is, but it's good for what it is, and that's a well-balanced, nicely crafted dark brew. It's just complex enough to stay interesting. The ABV is readily apparent but also quite pertinent, impacting drinkability nary a stitch. I'd consider Derek a welcome visitor any time he felt compelled to stop by, should he ever appear on the radar again.
Jan 15, 2008
Photo of grub
Reviewed by grub from Canada (ON)

3.85/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
got this one from TheManiacalOne as part of BC2. thanks mark!

12oz bottle. i think the bottle code reads "6 14", but the imprint is pretty light. inside of the cap reads "House keeping. You want beer?". yes please!

pours deep brown, not quite black but basically opaque. a ring of fine tan bubbles forms around the glass. no lace.

aroma is nice. bit of roast. dark chocolate. bit of coffee. touch of smoke. there's a bit of bock-like character lingering in there too.

taste is nice. bittersweet and milk chocolate. light caramel sweetness. bit of alcohol. roast. touch of coffee. dried cherry and cranberry. bit of date. just a hint of that bock-like character here too. low bitterness level. this started a little one-dimensional but filled out nicely as it warmed.

mouthfeel is good. medium-low carbonation level. nice big body.

drinkability is good. balanced and enjoyable.
Dec 20, 2007
Photo of brdc
Reviewed by brdc from Wisconsin

3.95/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours a black body with a small brown head, with good retention and lacing.
Aroma is mostly of roasted malts, coffee and perhaps some caramel.
Taste is a bit sweet initially , evolving into some roasted bitterness, bittersweet chocolate, some unsweetened coffee.
A bit thin on the palate, it is still a nice offering, if not remarkable.
Thanks to TheManiacalOne for this one.
Oct 11, 2007
Photo of Viggo
Reviewed by Viggo from Canada (ON)

3.85/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Thanks to TheManiacalOne for sending this my way for BC2!

Pours a clear reddish brown, thick tan head forms, settles down to a nice layer, leaves behind some decent lacing, good retention, never leaves. Smell is chocolate covered dates, roast, caramel, some alcohol, bread, raisins, pretty good. Taste is similar, sweet and malty, roasty chocolate, dates, bread, toffee, alcohol is well hidden, flavours go together nicely, hint of cherry as well. Mouthfeel is light to medium bodied with medium carbonation, thin on the palate. Pretty neat, more of a light American stout flavour and colourwise, little thin, but the alcohol is well hidden. Difference interpretation but I like it. Thanks Mark!
Oct 03, 2007
Photo of kmpitz2
Reviewed by kmpitz2 from Tennessee

4.32/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12 oz bottle. The brew pours a sinister deep brown color that is only betrayed from black by a slight redish hue when held to the light. There is a 3 finger tan head of moderate sized bubbles that falls to a finger of head over top. There are a few bubbles that work up into the brew, and it appears to be fairly clear, but with the darkness, it is hard to tell for sure. The aroma is full of creamy chocolate, almost cocoa, with a background bringing me roasted malt and piney hops that blend very well together. I like the sweetness of the aroma here. Taking a sip, I find a strong roast and creamy chocolate characters that then moves to a more solid roast along with pine hoppy flavors. There is a moderate bitterness that comes through along with a green flavor from the hop. I really enjoy the chocolate tones that dominate this one. The mouthfeel is moderate to thick with a light to moderate carbonation. It is not too big to get in the way, but still sits heavy enough to let you know this is a beer that means business. I'm very impressed with this brew. It has good synergy between aroma and flavor. The hop and malt components are nice together. This is one I would definitely drink again if it came my way.
Jul 12, 2007
Photo of xgrigorix
Reviewed by xgrigorix from Michigan

3.79/5  rDev +3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Twelve ounce brown bottle - no dates.

Inky black. Thin beige head collapses quickly upon itself. No lacing.

Nose is a nice mix of roast coffee, subtle smoke, & plum.

Taste pretty much mirrors the smell. Some American hop flavours make an appearance in the finish as well.

Medium bodied, moderate carbonation. Nothing mind altering here, but an all around decent big stout.
May 26, 2007
Photo of sraimondi
Reviewed by sraimondi from Connecticut

4.2/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bought this bottle about 15 months ago and have kept it in my dedicated beer refrigerator since. I let the beer warm a bit before popping the cap, although it was not at room temp when I first tasted it. Upon pour into a Sammie Smith Imperial pint glass, about a 3 inch head, which hung on for a bit. At 8.7% ABV, I was quite surprised that there was a film head and sheet lacing throughout my imbibing this one. Beer is almost completely opaque, even when placed right up against an incandescent light. Aroma is of sweet, dark chocolate, with a faint wisp of roast, and some phenols, but in a pleasing dose. The taste is enormous, great flavors of chocolate and roast, with a little bit of raison on the finish. While the IBUs are listed at 61, it is not felt at all, very round mouthfeel, lending to an incredible balance for the style. I know it sounds strange, but very smooth. The ABV is well masked for a good perceived drinkability. Based on some of the other reviews, it looks like this one is best cellared for a year or so. I must say this one was exceptional in my book. One of my fave stouts for sure.

Steve
Apr 29, 2007
Photo of plaztikjezuz
Reviewed by plaztikjezuz from Michigan

4.12/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thanks to TheManiacalOne for the beer.

pours a rich black with a nice hue of mohagony where the light shines through, the head was light tan and a finger thick, left some lacing.
the aroma is so rich with chocolate it is hard to smell anything else but there is a little roastiness and malt shining through.
the flavor is malty, cocoa, roasted barley, coffee, hop spice, pepper, and a dry after taste.
Apr 16, 2007
Photo of Wasatch
Reviewed by Wasatch from Colorado

3.63/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Thanks goes to TheManiacalOne

Pours a nice clean/clear dark brown color, nice carbonation, nice small fizzy tannish head which lasts a little while, some lacing afterwards. The nose is of sweet slightly roasted malts, toffee/caramel. The taste follows the nose nice malts, and toffee/caramel. Light-Medium body. Drinkable, not a bad stout, but a little on the lighter side, Recommended.
Mar 18, 2007
Photo of auxiliary
Reviewed by auxiliary from Rhode Island

4/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
appearance - pitch black, produced a lot of head. and stuck to the end along with some sticky lace.

smell - roasted malts and coffee smell.

taste - raosted malts, chocolate, coffee.

mouthfee l- Creamy, thick, and malty.

drinkability - I could enjoy this beer again. Nice taste to , smell, appearance.
Mar 11, 2007
Photo of ClockworkOrange
Reviewed by ClockworkOrange from Pennsylvania

3.3/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Thanks to bjohnson for sending this one my way. Poured from a 12oz. bottle into my DFH shaker glass. Appears a slightly translucent, dark brown with a finger of thin caramel colored head. Smells of roasted malts, sweet milk chocolate, and molasses. Tastes of raisins, bitter, stale coffee, and burnt sugar. Very bitter from start through the finish. Thin bodied with moderate carbonation. I have another bottle of this and will re-visit this stout again in a couple of months to see if the bitterness is tamed even slightly.
Mar 02, 2007
Photo of HopDerek
Reviewed by HopDerek from Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Appears dark brown, almost black in color, but is not too thick. Some redness too. 1/2 inch bubbly tan head fades to a thin bubble ring leaving light lacing behind.
Smells of sweet malt, chocolate, and coffee.
Taste is very sweet, like chocolate and caramel. Following is a toasted malt kick and then a dry roasted coffee finish.
Not overly carbonated, full in body with a nice smoothness and a sort of dry finish.
Originally I tried this just for its name and a keepsake, but it actually is surprisingly tasty. Similar in some aspects to many stouts, but also different in its own right.
Feb 28, 2007
Photo of Vancer
Reviewed by Vancer from Illinois

4.3/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
The storm comes in dark and ominous – almost black with a fine tan head that left redwood tree lines of lace rings. The aroma reminds me of a chocolate malt bomb. Close to a dry stout - a real blender full of chocolate, coffee, dark fruits mixed in this powdery brew. Even has a touch of the sour ale porter. Very smooth and enjoyable, I can’t believe it has a 8.7% alcohol kick.

Ol’ gpcollen1 sent this for my BA annv. – many thanks!
Feb 26, 2007
Photo of NeroFiddled
Reviewed by NeroFiddled from Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Newport Storm's Derek pours a farily dark, almost black body with thin highlights of deep mahogany beneath a frothy, light brown head. The head retention is good and it leaves some nice lace behind.

The nose expresses dark malt with notes of coffee and sugar, and what seems like some dull, herbal hops in the background (maybe there's some spruce or something else in use?).

The flavor is initially sweet in an odd way, meaning that it's not malty sweet or sugary sweet, but something else altogether. Perhaps some maple syrup or honey? It then immediately turns dark and roasty with a deep, coffee-grind like character. There are hints of chocolate or cocoa, but it's more sweetish with dark coffee. It's thin in flavor profile, not wide - or should I say rounded, but still rich. Some hebal/piney hops in the background. A solid bitterness is present, and although it may appear sweet at the start, it finishes dry. Alcohol just barely peeks out at you for the most part until you get towards the end of the glass.

Appropriately named, Derek comes in quick, does some damage, and leaves everything a bit messy in its wake.
Feb 17, 2007
Photo of TheBungyo
Reviewed by TheBungyo from Washington

3.85/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Received by way of the unequalled generosity of Skyhand.


There's one deceptive body on this beer. Once it settles into the glass it looks black but close inspection reveals a body that is more brown than black. Like mixing color sans the carbonation and a nice black stout.

Nose just screams milk and hints at chocolate. Taste is dominated by milky maltiness. Yep there's chocolate too and if one searches long enough there's also some roastiness. It never really feels complex though. It's good, but I wish there was even more going on. Something about this just makes me feel like this beer is a bit too meek. As if it's afraid to rear it's head taste wise. Still good though.

Carbonation is delicate and the mouth isn't as thick as a stout should be but damn if it isn't silky smooth. I dig it for sure.

If I had access to it I could see myself buying this every now and then. I can also see myself passing it up for the more complex stouts out there.
Feb 05, 2007
Photo of Phocion
Reviewed by Phocion from Minnesota

3.57/5  rDev -3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Pours dark brown with a thin beige head that quickly fades into a light spotty lacing on top of the glass. Sparse lacing around the glass.

Smells much better than it looks. Bitter coffee and anise are prevalent with a dark chocolate hint as well.

Taste is creamy cocoa, burnt dry malts, and dark berries. Slight bitterness, and the alcohol is just evident enough to present a warming feeling, but not overpowering at the same time.

Light mouthfeel for a stout, but well-carbonated. Thin and oily. Very drinkable for the style however due to the light body. Interesting stout, but nothing special. Thanks to ManiacalOne for this.
Dec 02, 2006
Newport Storm - Derek (Cyclone Series) from Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Co.
Beer rating: 84 out of 100 with 38 ratings