Benthic
Half Acre Beer Company
Beer Geek Stats:
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- Stout - American Imperial
Ranked #187 - ABV:
- 12.8%
- Score:
- 96
Ranked #858 - Avg:
- 4.38 | pDev: 7.31%
- Reviews:
- 33
- Ratings:
- From:
- Half Acre Beer Company
- Illinois, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating/Seasonal
- Wants
- 21
- Gots
- 23
SCORE
96
World-Class
96
World-Class
Notes:
Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout brewed with coffee and toasted coconut, a remedy coaxed from the deepest caverns; it's char bound in the systematic sweetness and density only found in the colossal beers of our time.
Reviews: 33
| Ratings: 169
| Log in to view all ratings and sort
Reviews by thebeers:
thebeers from Pennsylvania
3.97/5 rDev -9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Ruby-tinted, near black with a half finger of dark mocha head that dissipates fairly quickly into a wisp and thick crown. No real lacing to speak of.
Relatively restrained aroma with light whisky, almond, chocolate and cherry. Even lighter hint of coffee, too.
Lots of coconut in the taste. Some coffee and chocolate. A touch of cola. Fairly strong alcohol burn.
Thick, smooth mouthfeel that’s not at all oily — doesn’t coat the mouth nearly as much as most imperial stouts. Pretty unique.
Coconut is not my thing, so others may appreciate this more. I had a hard time picking out much depth behind it and the strong alcohol.
Nov 06, 2020
3.97/5 rDev -9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Ruby-tinted, near black with a half finger of dark mocha head that dissipates fairly quickly into a wisp and thick crown. No real lacing to speak of.
Relatively restrained aroma with light whisky, almond, chocolate and cherry. Even lighter hint of coffee, too.
Lots of coconut in the taste. Some coffee and chocolate. A touch of cola. Fairly strong alcohol burn.
Thick, smooth mouthfeel that’s not at all oily — doesn’t coat the mouth nearly as much as most imperial stouts. Pretty unique.
Coconut is not my thing, so others may appreciate this more. I had a hard time picking out much depth behind it and the strong alcohol.
Nov 06, 2020
More User Reviews:
Chuckdiesel24 from Illinois
4.48/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
May 01, 2017
4.48/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
May 01, 2017
Luscious_Malfoy from Illinois
4.38/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Aug 03, 2018
4.38/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Aug 03, 2018
beagleyx2 from Illinois
4.25/5 rDev -3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Dec 12, 2016
4.25/5 rDev -3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Dec 12, 2016
CraftFan5 from New Jersey
4.6/5 rDev +5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Jun 17, 2019
4.6/5 rDev +5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Jun 17, 2019
RollDamnTide from North Carolina
4.72/5 rDev +7.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Oct 13, 2018
4.72/5 rDev +7.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Oct 13, 2018
RVABeerFan777 from Virginia
4.33/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Definitely wanted the adjuncts to be a bit more prominent in this beer. I really enjoyed the base and the barrel, but wanted the coconut to come through a bit more clearly. Overall enjoyed, but don't know if I understand the hype.
Jan 12, 2021
4.33/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Definitely wanted the adjuncts to be a bit more prominent in this beer. I really enjoyed the base and the barrel, but wanted the coconut to come through a bit more clearly. Overall enjoyed, but don't know if I understand the hype.
Jan 12, 2021
barnzy78 from Illinois
4.73/5 rDev +8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
16oz can, date stamped 10/18/19A. 2019, 14% ABV. Pitch black stout is capped by a two-tone brown head that holds great retention and leaves thick, sticky lacing on the glass as it fades. Rich, boozy aroma of bourbon, dark chocolate, coffee, roast, and toasted coconut. Big & bold flavors that meld excellently on the palate: dark cocoa, toasted coconut, roasted barley, boozy bourbon, caramel, brown sugar, molasses, oak, vanilla, and perhaps lactose. Very full and creamy body, booze is present making it a definite sipper, but it's not hot; sweeter peppery finish overall with coconut and dark chocolate lingering. This was nothing short of phenomenal! Glad to find and try a rare treat.
Jan 20, 2020
4.73/5 rDev +8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
16oz can, date stamped 10/18/19A. 2019, 14% ABV. Pitch black stout is capped by a two-tone brown head that holds great retention and leaves thick, sticky lacing on the glass as it fades. Rich, boozy aroma of bourbon, dark chocolate, coffee, roast, and toasted coconut. Big & bold flavors that meld excellently on the palate: dark cocoa, toasted coconut, roasted barley, boozy bourbon, caramel, brown sugar, molasses, oak, vanilla, and perhaps lactose. Very full and creamy body, booze is present making it a definite sipper, but it's not hot; sweeter peppery finish overall with coconut and dark chocolate lingering. This was nothing short of phenomenal! Glad to find and try a rare treat.
Jan 20, 2020
EasternIsh from California
4.64/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Jan 12, 2021
4.64/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Jan 12, 2021
brn9000 from Illinois
4.5/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Jan 06, 2020
4.5/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Jan 06, 2020
Sabtos from Ohio
4/5 rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I didn't get as much coconut as others, it fades quickly so open as fresh as possible. I got more chocolatey, coffee roast and a touch of bourbon in the moderate body. Nothing outrageous.
May 23, 2019
4/5 rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I didn't get as much coconut as others, it fades quickly so open as fresh as possible. I got more chocolatey, coffee roast and a touch of bourbon in the moderate body. Nothing outrageous.
May 23, 2019
Mikexw from New York
4.38/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Dec 24, 2019
4.38/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Dec 24, 2019
maximum12 from Minnesota
4.4/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Grabbed a two pack of these 16 oz. cans when they arrived just across the border a couple weeks ago. Nice can art. Looks like Sword of Shannara meets Woodstock meets Stranger Things. Quite a time span.
Black. Mocha head. Nose of bourbon, black licorice, minor coconut.
Benthic puts the thic in thick. The definition of a pastry stout, this coats the mouth with thicc, malty goodness. The coconut is much stronger than in the nose, along with a half-shot of bourbon, cold smooth alcohol, toasted cocoa, with a touch of char right on the end. A sixteen ounce serving is the correct answer.
Oh, the coconut makes me happy. The alcohol makes me happy. This beer makes me a happy guy, & that makes this an excellent brew.
Dec 31, 2019
4.4/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Grabbed a two pack of these 16 oz. cans when they arrived just across the border a couple weeks ago. Nice can art. Looks like Sword of Shannara meets Woodstock meets Stranger Things. Quite a time span.
Black. Mocha head. Nose of bourbon, black licorice, minor coconut.
Benthic puts the thic in thick. The definition of a pastry stout, this coats the mouth with thicc, malty goodness. The coconut is much stronger than in the nose, along with a half-shot of bourbon, cold smooth alcohol, toasted cocoa, with a touch of char right on the end. A sixteen ounce serving is the correct answer.
Oh, the coconut makes me happy. The alcohol makes me happy. This beer makes me a happy guy, & that makes this an excellent brew.
Dec 31, 2019
GoBearsWalter34 from Illinois
4.61/5 rDev +5.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Pours a motor oil brown. Nice, creamy, mocha head.
Strong bourbon and oak smell. Black licorice, caramel, vanilla, almond, slight coffee and coconut also on nose.
Bourbon oak and licorice hits the younger first. Lots of bourbon maple syrup. Good imperial hop. Slight get fudge. Coconut not really rectangle, but smooths our edges. Marshmallow present. A sweet one.
Thick mouthfeel.
A wonderful treat!!
Dec 22, 2019
4.61/5 rDev +5.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Pours a motor oil brown. Nice, creamy, mocha head.
Strong bourbon and oak smell. Black licorice, caramel, vanilla, almond, slight coffee and coconut also on nose.
Bourbon oak and licorice hits the younger first. Lots of bourbon maple syrup. Good imperial hop. Slight get fudge. Coconut not really rectangle, but smooths our edges. Marshmallow present. A sweet one.
Thick mouthfeel.
A wonderful treat!!
Dec 22, 2019
imperialking from Illinois
4.25/5 rDev -3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Dec 30, 2019
4.25/5 rDev -3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Dec 30, 2019
puftdank from Illinois
4.38/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
May 14, 2020
4.38/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
May 14, 2020
NolaHopHead from Louisiana
4.44/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Apr 03, 2020
4.44/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Apr 03, 2020
stortore from Illinois
4.5/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
16 ounce can into a snifter. Canned 10/18/19, had 1/17/20.
Pours a thick looking dark brown, opaque, with a short head and some spotty cling. Aromas of bourbon, coffee, roasted malt, coconut, chocolate, cocoa, raisins, fudge, vanilla. The flavor is similar- bourbon, chocolate, malt, coconut, cocoa, less coffee than the aroma, oak, vanilla. Smooth, a terrific full body, well carbonated.
Excellent. The coffee and coconut show well, and there’s a lot of chocolate, too. Strong barrels as well. This will definitely be on the buy list every year.
Apr 06, 2020
4.5/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
16 ounce can into a snifter. Canned 10/18/19, had 1/17/20.
Pours a thick looking dark brown, opaque, with a short head and some spotty cling. Aromas of bourbon, coffee, roasted malt, coconut, chocolate, cocoa, raisins, fudge, vanilla. The flavor is similar- bourbon, chocolate, malt, coconut, cocoa, less coffee than the aroma, oak, vanilla. Smooth, a terrific full body, well carbonated.
Excellent. The coffee and coconut show well, and there’s a lot of chocolate, too. Strong barrels as well. This will definitely be on the buy list every year.
Apr 06, 2020
buzzy from Pennsylvania
4.49/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Jun 07, 2020
4.49/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Jun 07, 2020
wally_world from Illinois
4.53/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Coconut nose leads the way to more coffee as the beer warms.
This beer is thick, but not overly so. Coconut and coffee are prominent throughout with barrel underneath. Carbonation is a solid level, as well.
A bit heavier barrel, and this beer would be way up there. This beer ranks a bit higher than 2019 for me.
Dec 26, 2020
4.53/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Coconut nose leads the way to more coffee as the beer warms.
This beer is thick, but not overly so. Coconut and coffee are prominent throughout with barrel underneath. Carbonation is a solid level, as well.
A bit heavier barrel, and this beer would be way up there. This beer ranks a bit higher than 2019 for me.
Dec 26, 2020
russpowell from Arkansas
4.38/5 rDev 0%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours black as night with a sliver of caramel colored head. Some lacing & head retention, viscous as hell
S: Bourbon, chocolate, faint toasty coconut & a little figgyness
T: Follows the nose, some vanilla & coffee notes as well front. Coconut, chocolate & a little coffee comes to the fore as this warms, plus vanilla, & just a kiss of Bourbon. Finishes chocolatey with coconut,a little booze & barrel dryness
MF: Chewy, low carbonation
Upper echelon example of a Bourbon Barrel Aged Imp Stout, the ABV is so stealth
Jan 20, 2020
4.38/5 rDev 0%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours black as night with a sliver of caramel colored head. Some lacing & head retention, viscous as hell
S: Bourbon, chocolate, faint toasty coconut & a little figgyness
T: Follows the nose, some vanilla & coffee notes as well front. Coconut, chocolate & a little coffee comes to the fore as this warms, plus vanilla, & just a kiss of Bourbon. Finishes chocolatey with coconut,a little booze & barrel dryness
MF: Chewy, low carbonation
Upper echelon example of a Bourbon Barrel Aged Imp Stout, the ABV is so stealth
Jan 20, 2020
fthegiants from California
4.35/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Jan 01, 2021
4.35/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Jan 01, 2021
SaxmanRick from Minnesota
4.75/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Jan 09, 2021
4.75/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Jan 09, 2021
OompaMentor from Georgia
4.5/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Wakefest 2019
Oct 17, 2019
4.5/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Wakefest 2019
Oct 17, 2019
Benthic from Half Acre Beer Company
Beer rating:
96 out of
100 with
169 ratings
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