Tsunami Stout | Pelican Pub & Brewery
Brewed by:
Pelican Pub & Brewery
Oregon, United States | website
Style: Foreign / Export Stout
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 7.00%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
16.8 degrees Plato
Alcohol: 7% by volume
Bitterness: 50 IBU
Color: 150 lovibond
Added by BeerAdvocate on 05-16-2002
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 146 | Ratings: 373
4.1/5 rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
22 ounce bottle into tulip glass, no bottle dating. Pours pitch black color with a nice 2 finger dense tan head with awesome retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lasts. Some good spotty lacing clings to the glass. Aromas of big milk chocolate, roasted malt, caramel, coffee, molasses, toast, light fruitiness, and light herbal hops. Very nice and pleasant aromas with good strength and balance. Taste of big dark chocolate, roasted malt, coffee, caramel, toast, toffee, light char, and light herbal hops. Decent amount of roasted bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of chocolate, roasted malt, coffee, caramel, light char, and herbal on the finish for a good bit. Great flavor balance and complexity; and good malt sweetness to bitterness balance. Medium carbonation and body; with a very nice creamy and slightly slick mouthfeel. Alcohol is well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is an excellent export stout. Great roasted flavor balance and robustness; and quite smooth to drink. Really enjoyable.
★ 1,056 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
22 ounce bottle into tulip glass, no bottle dating. Pours pitch black color with a nice 2 finger dense tan head with awesome retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lasts. Some good spotty lacing clings to the glass. Aromas of big milk chocolate, roasted malt, caramel, coffee, molasses, toast, light fruitiness, and light herbal hops. Very nice and pleasant aromas with good strength and balance. Taste of big dark chocolate, roasted malt, coffee, caramel, toast, toffee, light char, and light herbal hops. Decent amount of roasted bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of chocolate, roasted malt, coffee, caramel, light char, and herbal on the finish for a good bit. Great flavor balance and complexity; and good malt sweetness to bitterness balance. Medium carbonation and body; with a very nice creamy and slightly slick mouthfeel. Alcohol is well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is an excellent export stout. Great roasted flavor balance and robustness; and quite smooth to drink. Really enjoyable.
★ 1,056 characters
3.88/5 rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bomber purchased from Whole Foods in Pearl, Portland, OR.
Pours a very pleasant deep black-brown, with a very frothy and persistent head of mocha. Lacing is punchy and bubbly, but sticks well. Body is firm. Looks very good indeed.
Chalky cocoa on the nose, with a hint of carbonic bite to it that lessens its impact. Roasted notes come through with a touch of bland husk and char to it. There's not significant depth, but it's pleasant.
Taste is nice, and suits the style well. It's charred, dry and crispy, with a very pronounced roast. Malt sweetness is muted, leaving the roast to really come out strongly—that's what I want from an export stout, and this delivers. Finish is bone-dry. Almost puckering. That's powerful stuff.
Feel is dry and light on the finish, but with enough power to support the flavours at the start.
Yeah, I'll pay that. That's really powerful and unapologetic, and it works as it is. I can imagine you could make an imperial version of this that I'd enjoy more, but this is under no qualms about what it's trying to do, and for that it's successful.
★ 1,084 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bomber purchased from Whole Foods in Pearl, Portland, OR.
Pours a very pleasant deep black-brown, with a very frothy and persistent head of mocha. Lacing is punchy and bubbly, but sticks well. Body is firm. Looks very good indeed.
Chalky cocoa on the nose, with a hint of carbonic bite to it that lessens its impact. Roasted notes come through with a touch of bland husk and char to it. There's not significant depth, but it's pleasant.
Taste is nice, and suits the style well. It's charred, dry and crispy, with a very pronounced roast. Malt sweetness is muted, leaving the roast to really come out strongly—that's what I want from an export stout, and this delivers. Finish is bone-dry. Almost puckering. That's powerful stuff.
Feel is dry and light on the finish, but with enough power to support the flavours at the start.
Yeah, I'll pay that. That's really powerful and unapologetic, and it works as it is. I can imagine you could make an imperial version of this that I'd enjoy more, but this is under no qualms about what it's trying to do, and for that it's successful.
★ 1,084 characters
2.82/5 rDev -30.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5
22oz bottled February 2012. Served at cellar temperature.
Pours black with a three finger brown head that leaves some sheets of lacing and holds a nice thick cap.
Aroma is musty cardboard, hints of cocoa, dark fruit, and roasted malt. Moderate strength.
Flavor is roasted malts, some chocolate, a bit of coffee and dark fruit, cardboard, mineral notes, minimal alcohol.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied, creamy, soft carbonation.
This beer wants to be good, but is falling short with some apparent oxidation issues. Flavor is OK...aroma is not...
★ 545 characters
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5
22oz bottled February 2012. Served at cellar temperature.
Pours black with a three finger brown head that leaves some sheets of lacing and holds a nice thick cap.
Aroma is musty cardboard, hints of cocoa, dark fruit, and roasted malt. Moderate strength.
Flavor is roasted malts, some chocolate, a bit of coffee and dark fruit, cardboard, mineral notes, minimal alcohol.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied, creamy, soft carbonation.
This beer wants to be good, but is falling short with some apparent oxidation issues. Flavor is OK...aroma is not...
★ 545 characters
4.08/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
A: Poured black with great carbonation leaving a big brown cap, nice lacing
S: Big roasted malts bith huge bitter chocolate presence and some coffee
T: Immediate big roasty and bitterness. Bitter and dark chocolate, very dry with coffee lingeing.
M: Again, big body for this beer, lots of bitterness, especially as it warms, I am suspecting this from the buttloads of black malts
O: Very good, drinkable and good representation of the style
★ 444 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
A: Poured black with great carbonation leaving a big brown cap, nice lacing
S: Big roasted malts bith huge bitter chocolate presence and some coffee
T: Immediate big roasty and bitterness. Bitter and dark chocolate, very dry with coffee lingeing.
M: Again, big body for this beer, lots of bitterness, especially as it warms, I am suspecting this from the buttloads of black malts
O: Very good, drinkable and good representation of the style
★ 444 characters
4.1/5 rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A: pitch black, minimal brown head with small amount of retention
S: roasty charcoal character along with bitter hops, bitter chocolate present, deep tobacco quality
T: taste is dry and bitter, lots of earth character along with chocolate, ash, coffee and roast, lots of flavor
Mf: medium body, high carbonation
O: tasty stout, lots of character, plenty of roast and ash
★ 375 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A: pitch black, minimal brown head with small amount of retention
S: roasty charcoal character along with bitter hops, bitter chocolate present, deep tobacco quality
T: taste is dry and bitter, lots of earth character along with chocolate, ash, coffee and roast, lots of flavor
Mf: medium body, high carbonation
O: tasty stout, lots of character, plenty of roast and ash
★ 375 characters
3.88/5 rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Dark dark brown. Almost black. Forms a thin dark tan head that sticks around. Some light lacing. Aroma is roasted malts and coffee with a metallic note to it. Flavor is heavily roasted malts, dark coffee, chat, and some brighter hops on the finish. Heavy medium body with appropriate carbonation and a moderate hoppy bitterness. A decent beer: fairly aggressively roasted and hopped for the style, but it works.
★ 411 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Dark dark brown. Almost black. Forms a thin dark tan head that sticks around. Some light lacing. Aroma is roasted malts and coffee with a metallic note to it. Flavor is heavily roasted malts, dark coffee, chat, and some brighter hops on the finish. Heavy medium body with appropriate carbonation and a moderate hoppy bitterness. A decent beer: fairly aggressively roasted and hopped for the style, but it works.
★ 411 characters
4.13/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
22oz bottle with "1" on the top (maybe indicating 2011?) poured into oversized wine glass.
A: Half an inch of tan, thick, creamy head, which is pretty uneven around the glass– thicker in some places than in others. Lots of lacing with big bubbles in it, great looking all around.
S: A rich chocolaty smell really dominates things at the beginning, and is quickly joined by the aroma of toasty, roasted malts– there's just a hint of a burnt character to them. Complementary coffee, smoke, and earthy (maybe even slightly piny) hops add depth.
T: Big, roasty, bitter flavor controls things here, accented nicely by the chocolate which has elements of both dark chocolate and cocoa. Coffee, vanilla, licorice, and a subtle, earthy hop bitterness all supplemental.
M: Crisp body; lighter than I expected considering the ABV but contributes to a lasting, dry finish that really brings some of the bitter flavors of the beer through. Smooth and moderately carbonated.
O: My glass went down pretty quickly, and considering that I don't have easy access to this beer wish that hadn't been the case. Will have to resist the urge to buy this at the expense of other, brand new beers next time I have the chance to pick some up.
★ 1,226 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
22oz bottle with "1" on the top (maybe indicating 2011?) poured into oversized wine glass.
A: Half an inch of tan, thick, creamy head, which is pretty uneven around the glass– thicker in some places than in others. Lots of lacing with big bubbles in it, great looking all around.
S: A rich chocolaty smell really dominates things at the beginning, and is quickly joined by the aroma of toasty, roasted malts– there's just a hint of a burnt character to them. Complementary coffee, smoke, and earthy (maybe even slightly piny) hops add depth.
T: Big, roasty, bitter flavor controls things here, accented nicely by the chocolate which has elements of both dark chocolate and cocoa. Coffee, vanilla, licorice, and a subtle, earthy hop bitterness all supplemental.
M: Crisp body; lighter than I expected considering the ABV but contributes to a lasting, dry finish that really brings some of the bitter flavors of the beer through. Smooth and moderately carbonated.
O: My glass went down pretty quickly, and considering that I don't have easy access to this beer wish that hadn't been the case. Will have to resist the urge to buy this at the expense of other, brand new beers next time I have the chance to pick some up.
★ 1,226 characters
4/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22oz w/ "10" handwritten on cap, I think October 2011. Into a snifter. Pours a nice deep black w/ a thick crackly mocha head that settles pretty quickly to a thin film.
Aroma is dark, bitter roasted malt and rich chocolate. Some dark fruits too.
Taste is highly bitter and roasty, but somehow also dry and drinkable.
Mouthfeel is smooth and dry. Vanishes off the palate, leaving just a slight bitter aftertaste.
Overall a really solid, if not especially complex, stout from Pelican. Closest I think I've come to a "session stout."
★ 535 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22oz w/ "10" handwritten on cap, I think October 2011. Into a snifter. Pours a nice deep black w/ a thick crackly mocha head that settles pretty quickly to a thin film.
Aroma is dark, bitter roasted malt and rich chocolate. Some dark fruits too.
Taste is highly bitter and roasty, but somehow also dry and drinkable.
Mouthfeel is smooth and dry. Vanishes off the palate, leaving just a slight bitter aftertaste.
Overall a really solid, if not especially complex, stout from Pelican. Closest I think I've come to a "session stout."
★ 535 characters
4.01/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Written "10" on the cap
A: Pitch black, with a thick tanned foam that stays fluffy for a long time. very nice.
S: very faint whiff of roasted coffee, caremel,
T: mix of roasty malt, some prune, some tartness. It finishes with a lingering coffee-like flavor. slight alcohol warmth after several sips.
M: not too viscous, but oily enough. feels very light when 7% alcohol is considered.
O: very impressive stout. I consider this a sipper.
★ 442 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Written "10" on the cap
A: Pitch black, with a thick tanned foam that stays fluffy for a long time. very nice.
S: very faint whiff of roasted coffee, caremel,
T: mix of roasty malt, some prune, some tartness. It finishes with a lingering coffee-like flavor. slight alcohol warmth after several sips.
M: not too viscous, but oily enough. feels very light when 7% alcohol is considered.
O: very impressive stout. I consider this a sipper.
★ 442 characters
3.73/5 rDev -8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
22oz bomber
used as the base for a pot of penn cove mussels, paired remainder with the dish
appearance: served in great taste taster chalice, deep ebony body - light garnet hue, thin creamy mocha cap
smell: deep rich aroma - charred malts, espresso, chocolate, smoke, sugars.
taste: The mussels turned out great, but the stout was a bit dry and bitter for my taste. espresso, char and smoke, heavy roasted malts, bitter bakers chocolate
mouthfeel: bitter from the roast, dry
overall: to-style, but not a style I'm too crazy about
★ 536 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
22oz bomber
used as the base for a pot of penn cove mussels, paired remainder with the dish
appearance: served in great taste taster chalice, deep ebony body - light garnet hue, thin creamy mocha cap
smell: deep rich aroma - charred malts, espresso, chocolate, smoke, sugars.
taste: The mussels turned out great, but the stout was a bit dry and bitter for my taste. espresso, char and smoke, heavy roasted malts, bitter bakers chocolate
mouthfeel: bitter from the roast, dry
overall: to-style, but not a style I'm too crazy about
★ 536 characters
3.95/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Shared by ottovon and whiterascal, poured into a Russian River glass.
Ebony as a piano key, but kind of thin-looking. Any color besides black only emerges when the glass is right next to a light bulb. Above, one finger of fuzzy, cinnamon-colored head becomes a wispy ring. Below, some yeast chunks settle at the bottom of the glass.
Chocolatey nose, full of tangy dark and crumbly cocoa nibs. Bitter coffee and some earthy hops are also noticeable.
Very earthy flavor. I get touches of toasted sourdough, cocoa nibs, chocolate syrup and light roast coffee. Deeper down, I find hints of raisin and other dark fruits. Altogether it’s very roasty/bitter, though some sweetness rolls in at the swallow. A smooth blend of flavors with lingering cocoa bitterness.
The thinness perceived in the flavor is apparent in the mouthfeel — the body’s a thin, soft medium-light. Gentle, tingly carbonation fizzes the brew softly. Feels silky and light on the palate. Touches of heat in the nose and numbness in the tongue.
Tsunami Stout isn’t a giant wave of flavor, but rather a smooth, rolling tide delivering good amounts of fruit and a lot of chocolate, both of which I like. It may be a bit thin, but it’s a quality foreign export.
★ 1,241 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Shared by ottovon and whiterascal, poured into a Russian River glass.
Ebony as a piano key, but kind of thin-looking. Any color besides black only emerges when the glass is right next to a light bulb. Above, one finger of fuzzy, cinnamon-colored head becomes a wispy ring. Below, some yeast chunks settle at the bottom of the glass.
Chocolatey nose, full of tangy dark and crumbly cocoa nibs. Bitter coffee and some earthy hops are also noticeable.
Very earthy flavor. I get touches of toasted sourdough, cocoa nibs, chocolate syrup and light roast coffee. Deeper down, I find hints of raisin and other dark fruits. Altogether it’s very roasty/bitter, though some sweetness rolls in at the swallow. A smooth blend of flavors with lingering cocoa bitterness.
The thinness perceived in the flavor is apparent in the mouthfeel — the body’s a thin, soft medium-light. Gentle, tingly carbonation fizzes the brew softly. Feels silky and light on the palate. Touches of heat in the nose and numbness in the tongue.
Tsunami Stout isn’t a giant wave of flavor, but rather a smooth, rolling tide delivering good amounts of fruit and a lot of chocolate, both of which I like. It may be a bit thin, but it’s a quality foreign export.
★ 1,241 characters
3.75/5 rDev -7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours jet black with a deep mocha colored quick to fade head,even when held to the light nothing gets thru this body.Coffee roast and molasses mainly in then nose,a bit of rawness to it.Not as creamy and full as the label suggests,its not thin or fizzy but not quite what I expected.Earthy and roasted flavors with mild molasses-like sweetness,it's a litle raw in the finish with some woody tomes.Its pretty good but not great,the sweetness creeps up more as I drink more.
★ 472 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours jet black with a deep mocha colored quick to fade head,even when held to the light nothing gets thru this body.Coffee roast and molasses mainly in then nose,a bit of rawness to it.Not as creamy and full as the label suggests,its not thin or fizzy but not quite what I expected.Earthy and roasted flavors with mild molasses-like sweetness,it's a litle raw in the finish with some woody tomes.Its pretty good but not great,the sweetness creeps up more as I drink more.
★ 472 characters
4.03/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
thick black with you nice nitro layering of the creamy caramel colored head. Lots of settling carbonation and great head retention made this one a keeper from the start. Smell was nice, caramel sugars, hints of roasted chocolate and a nice nutty presence filtered through. Very well rounded and fresh scent. The taste was right on board. Very creamy, and full flavored. Very nice smooth feel going down, awesome. Even better as it warmed! Main flavors were choclate and a nice caramel sweetness
★ 494 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
thick black with you nice nitro layering of the creamy caramel colored head. Lots of settling carbonation and great head retention made this one a keeper from the start. Smell was nice, caramel sugars, hints of roasted chocolate and a nice nutty presence filtered through. Very well rounded and fresh scent. The taste was right on board. Very creamy, and full flavored. Very nice smooth feel going down, awesome. Even better as it warmed! Main flavors were choclate and a nice caramel sweetness
★ 494 characters
4.05/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
22oz. bottle poured into a nonic. Got this awhile ago from hopsbreath, but just never got around to it. Thanks again Jason!
(A)- Pours a fairly pitch black color. Produced a nice sized cap of brown froth. Good retention and plenty of lace.
(S)- A rich profile indeed! Deep roasted malts. A "beefy" bread/yeast profile. Lots of raisin and molasses. A bit chocolatey as well.
(T)- Same as the smell was pretty much. A deep yet smooth roasted profile with thick bread notes. Some raisin, molasses, and cocoa. Well done and balanced.
(M)- A good carbonation level and a great balance to it as well. Thick; almost chewy, but with a smooth and rich roasted malt and dark fruit with cocoa feel.
(D)- This is a solid stout. Smells and tastes great with a classic profile. Easy to enjoy without being too sweet or thick. Well done Pelican.
★ 835 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
22oz. bottle poured into a nonic. Got this awhile ago from hopsbreath, but just never got around to it. Thanks again Jason!
(A)- Pours a fairly pitch black color. Produced a nice sized cap of brown froth. Good retention and plenty of lace.
(S)- A rich profile indeed! Deep roasted malts. A "beefy" bread/yeast profile. Lots of raisin and molasses. A bit chocolatey as well.
(T)- Same as the smell was pretty much. A deep yet smooth roasted profile with thick bread notes. Some raisin, molasses, and cocoa. Well done and balanced.
(M)- A good carbonation level and a great balance to it as well. Thick; almost chewy, but with a smooth and rich roasted malt and dark fruit with cocoa feel.
(D)- This is a solid stout. Smells and tastes great with a classic profile. Easy to enjoy without being too sweet or thick. Well done Pelican.
★ 835 characters
4.03/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured dark into tulip. Dark brown head. Nice lace. Foamy creamy retention. Thin layer of foam throughout.
Milky burnt roast chocolate notes.
Decent Stout but not an earth shaker.
It's a stout. It's decent. I would gladly drink one again if offered to me but I won't go out of my way to seek it out.
★ 300 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured dark into tulip. Dark brown head. Nice lace. Foamy creamy retention. Thin layer of foam throughout.
Milky burnt roast chocolate notes.
Decent Stout but not an earth shaker.
It's a stout. It's decent. I would gladly drink one again if offered to me but I won't go out of my way to seek it out.
★ 300 characters
4.13/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured black with two fingers of dark mocha head. Roasty aroma with dark cocoa, coffee, and a hint of smoke.
Moderate carbonation and a creamy, somewhat light mouthfeel. Roasty espresso and dark chocolate up front are nicely balanced by some caramel sweetness and hints of vanilla. Bitter roast and traces of hoppy bite on the lingering finish.
Drinks lighter than the ABV and initial roastiness would indicate -- a very nice stout.
★ 434 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured black with two fingers of dark mocha head. Roasty aroma with dark cocoa, coffee, and a hint of smoke.
Moderate carbonation and a creamy, somewhat light mouthfeel. Roasty espresso and dark chocolate up front are nicely balanced by some caramel sweetness and hints of vanilla. Bitter roast and traces of hoppy bite on the lingering finish.
Drinks lighter than the ABV and initial roastiness would indicate -- a very nice stout.
★ 434 characters
3.88/5 rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: Dark brown, near black with a cap of dirty beige head.
S: Smells sweet, notes of toffee, mild dry chocolate. alcohol.
T&M: On the backend a little roasty with chocolate, fairly high carbonation, some dark chocolate and alcohol in the finish and clean bitterness throughout, perhaps slightly higher bittering than is desirable for the style and flavor presented.
O: Not bad, slightly sweeter and thinner body for the style than expected, but good aroma and taste that follows.
★ 481 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: Dark brown, near black with a cap of dirty beige head.
S: Smells sweet, notes of toffee, mild dry chocolate. alcohol.
T&M: On the backend a little roasty with chocolate, fairly high carbonation, some dark chocolate and alcohol in the finish and clean bitterness throughout, perhaps slightly higher bittering than is desirable for the style and flavor presented.
O: Not bad, slightly sweeter and thinner body for the style than expected, but good aroma and taste that follows.
★ 481 characters
4.3/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 22 oz bomber with a 1/2 inch tan head.
A great nose that is full of malty sweetness and toffee flavors.
As others have mentioned, the taste is somewhat betrayed by the nose. There is not quite as much sweetness in this stout as the nose implies. However, the taste is well-balanced with a big malt flavor and subtle hints of smoke and dark chocolate. The finish is bitter, but once again, balanced enough to create a very pleasing overall experience. This is a well-crafted stout that I will definitely drink again.
★ 532 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 22 oz bomber with a 1/2 inch tan head.
A great nose that is full of malty sweetness and toffee flavors.
As others have mentioned, the taste is somewhat betrayed by the nose. There is not quite as much sweetness in this stout as the nose implies. However, the taste is well-balanced with a big malt flavor and subtle hints of smoke and dark chocolate. The finish is bitter, but once again, balanced enough to create a very pleasing overall experience. This is a well-crafted stout that I will definitely drink again.
★ 532 characters
4.07/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours black with a 2-finger khaki head, which dissolves into a thin film that remains throughout. Moderate layered lacing.
The smell is sweet cocoa & caramel malts with a little vanilla. The taste is toasty malts, dark chocolate and bread; not sweet like the scent would imply. There is also a slight hoppiness that adds to the bitterness of the toasty malt flavors. Mouthfeel is medium to full-bodied with some crisp carbonation.
This is a drinkable export stout. I would like a bit more chocolate but the smell and taste of this will all of the roasted malts is dead on for the style.
★ 590 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Pours black with a 2-finger khaki head, which dissolves into a thin film that remains throughout. Moderate layered lacing.
The smell is sweet cocoa & caramel malts with a little vanilla. The taste is toasty malts, dark chocolate and bread; not sweet like the scent would imply. There is also a slight hoppiness that adds to the bitterness of the toasty malt flavors. Mouthfeel is medium to full-bodied with some crisp carbonation.
This is a drinkable export stout. I would like a bit more chocolate but the smell and taste of this will all of the roasted malts is dead on for the style.
★ 590 characters
4.3/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On tap @ the Pelican Pub & Brewery (Pacific City, OR) on 8/30/11. Served in a pint glass.
Pours black, with a ½ finger of mocha colored head. This maintains some rich edges, along with near ½ finger flare-up that throws up a foamy cascade of lacing which hangs in sticky swathes down the sides of the glass. Chocolate and dark roast control the aroma, which melds nicely with some underlying earthy green hops. The sweetness here and smokiness from the roast are giving off a bit of an acrid twang in the nose at times.
Things get switched up a bit in the taste, with a tight feeling green bitterness that unfurls into bittersweet chocolate character. A flush of dark grains comes out across the back, while the hops hang in there, lingering a bit in the finish along with a mostly dry roasted feel. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, maybe a touch fuller; with a pretty lively and sharp feeling carbonation that luckily doesn’t overstay its welcome. This fills up the mouth nicely upon each sip, with any alcohol presence for that 7% merely intensifying the already robust roasted character here.
Man, this was really great Stout, full flavored as heck, and just drenching the mouth with a well balanced mix of sweetness and bitter flavors. I just love when a beer that you didn’t have many expectations for just blindsides you with its sheer goodness the way this one did. The Pelican has a real winner here with this one.
★ 1,433 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
On tap @ the Pelican Pub & Brewery (Pacific City, OR) on 8/30/11. Served in a pint glass.
Pours black, with a ½ finger of mocha colored head. This maintains some rich edges, along with near ½ finger flare-up that throws up a foamy cascade of lacing which hangs in sticky swathes down the sides of the glass. Chocolate and dark roast control the aroma, which melds nicely with some underlying earthy green hops. The sweetness here and smokiness from the roast are giving off a bit of an acrid twang in the nose at times.
Things get switched up a bit in the taste, with a tight feeling green bitterness that unfurls into bittersweet chocolate character. A flush of dark grains comes out across the back, while the hops hang in there, lingering a bit in the finish along with a mostly dry roasted feel. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, maybe a touch fuller; with a pretty lively and sharp feeling carbonation that luckily doesn’t overstay its welcome. This fills up the mouth nicely upon each sip, with any alcohol presence for that 7% merely intensifying the already robust roasted character here.
Man, this was really great Stout, full flavored as heck, and just drenching the mouth with a well balanced mix of sweetness and bitter flavors. I just love when a beer that you didn’t have many expectations for just blindsides you with its sheer goodness the way this one did. The Pelican has a real winner here with this one.
★ 1,433 characters
3.71/5 rDev -8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
I can't for the life of me remember who this was an extra from. Whoever it was, I thank you for this bottle and I'm excited to try it!
Poured from a bomber into my trusty Portsmouth tulip.
A- Just about as black as they come with a nice light-brown head that inflates to about two fingers high. Eventually dissipates, leaving a thin, sudsy layer of khaki foam.
S- Bitter chocolate, a bit smokey, black malt, milk chocolate, a hair of roastiness, and a twinge of alcohol on the back end. Not really a fan of the smokiness in the nose, and the overall aroma is slightly muted.
T- Fair improvement over the nose. Much more chocolate comes through, with a bit of roasted malt and coffee grounds. Pretty big flavor. I'm not the biggest fan of beers that are so heavy on the chocolate flavor, but it's still pretty good.
M- Very lively carbonation, which sort of masks the fact that the beer is just a little on the thin side. Flavors linger for a long time on the palate.
O- Overall, a pretty good offering from Pelican. Not my favorite thing in the world, but I would definitely drink it again.
★ 1,097 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
I can't for the life of me remember who this was an extra from. Whoever it was, I thank you for this bottle and I'm excited to try it!
Poured from a bomber into my trusty Portsmouth tulip.
A- Just about as black as they come with a nice light-brown head that inflates to about two fingers high. Eventually dissipates, leaving a thin, sudsy layer of khaki foam.
S- Bitter chocolate, a bit smokey, black malt, milk chocolate, a hair of roastiness, and a twinge of alcohol on the back end. Not really a fan of the smokiness in the nose, and the overall aroma is slightly muted.
T- Fair improvement over the nose. Much more chocolate comes through, with a bit of roasted malt and coffee grounds. Pretty big flavor. I'm not the biggest fan of beers that are so heavy on the chocolate flavor, but it's still pretty good.
M- Very lively carbonation, which sort of masks the fact that the beer is just a little on the thin side. Flavors linger for a long time on the palate.
O- Overall, a pretty good offering from Pelican. Not my favorite thing in the world, but I would definitely drink it again.
★ 1,097 characters
4.03/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Body is jet black. Poured to a half inch of tan foamy head, about average retention, leaves some spotty lacing on the glass.
Smells of toasted bready malt, chocolate and coffee.
Tastes of charred malt, chocolate and coffee, with a light hop bitterness in the finish.
Body is light and the carbonation is smooth, giving this a lightly creamy mouthfeel.
A pretty good light stout. Lacks the tartness and depth that more higher gravity stouts possess.
★ 455 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Body is jet black. Poured to a half inch of tan foamy head, about average retention, leaves some spotty lacing on the glass.
Smells of toasted bready malt, chocolate and coffee.
Tastes of charred malt, chocolate and coffee, with a light hop bitterness in the finish.
Body is light and the carbonation is smooth, giving this a lightly creamy mouthfeel.
A pretty good light stout. Lacks the tartness and depth that more higher gravity stouts possess.
★ 455 characters
4.3/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a nice black with an exceptionally thick brown head. Very frothy, lots of lacing, wonderful looking beer!
Smells of rich chocolate, coffee, caramel, vanilla beans and milk chocolate!
Tastes like it smells, absolutely wonderful! Lots of smooth chocolate and coffee here.
Very smooth and creamy mouthfeel, indescribably drinkable and irresistible. This is like Guinness Foreign Extra on steroids, one of the best stouts I've ever had!! I need to get more of this.
★ 470 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a nice black with an exceptionally thick brown head. Very frothy, lots of lacing, wonderful looking beer!
Smells of rich chocolate, coffee, caramel, vanilla beans and milk chocolate!
Tastes like it smells, absolutely wonderful! Lots of smooth chocolate and coffee here.
Very smooth and creamy mouthfeel, indescribably drinkable and irresistible. This is like Guinness Foreign Extra on steroids, one of the best stouts I've ever had!! I need to get more of this.
★ 470 characters
4.03/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Aroma is strong and oily with tones of coffee and unsweet chocolate and an overtone of molasses. It pours a deep, warm sable with a thick chocolaty brown head - would have gotten a perfect score in this department if the head had been a little more persistent. Flavor is smoky and sweet, tones of quality coffee, molasses and licorice with a touch of chocolate. Texture is smooth and fizzy, a teensy thin for a stout but still good.
★ 432 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Aroma is strong and oily with tones of coffee and unsweet chocolate and an overtone of molasses. It pours a deep, warm sable with a thick chocolaty brown head - would have gotten a perfect score in this department if the head had been a little more persistent. Flavor is smoky and sweet, tones of quality coffee, molasses and licorice with a touch of chocolate. Texture is smooth and fizzy, a teensy thin for a stout but still good.
★ 432 characters
Tsunami Stout from Pelican Pub & Brewery
4.06
out of 5
based on 373 ratings.
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A - Poured out an opaque, jet-black color with a one-finger, light brown head of foam. It left sudsy trails of lace on the glass.
S - It smelled very roasty with coffee, chocolate and molasses notes.
T - It tasted of dark chocolate, rich roasted coffee and burnt molasses. Subtle piney bitterness, too.
M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium bodied ale with a clean finish.
O - This is a really good stout. I hope to find more brews from Pelican.
★ 456 characters