Serpent's Stout
The Lost Abbey
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- From:
- The Lost Abbey
- California, United States
- Style:
- Stout - American Imperial
Ranked #825 - ABV:
- 11%
- Score:
- 94
Ranked #2,323 - Avg:
- 4.23 | pDev: 8.27%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Mar 13, 2022
- Added:
- Jun 10, 2007
- Wants:
- 326
- Gots:
- 449
SCORE
94
Outstanding
94
Outstanding
Notes:
The history of the bible and religion is indeed the struggle of good vs. evil. Our Serpent’s Stout recognizes the evil of the dark side that we all struggle with.This is a massively thick and opaque beer that begs the saints to join the sinners in their path to a black existence.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
4.04 by einman from Minnesota on Mar 13, 2022
4.11 by QuintusHorace from California on Dec 02, 2021
4.4 by irishevans from California on Nov 07, 2021
4.36/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by NCSapiens from Indiana
Fantastic stout. Heavy roasted malts is the predominant flavor, with just enough chocolate to round it out. Maybe a hint of coffee and cola. If you are looking for a stout on the toasty, charred spectrum, this is fantastic.
Aug 14, 2021
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by NCSapiens from Indiana
Fantastic stout. Heavy roasted malts is the predominant flavor, with just enough chocolate to round it out. Maybe a hint of coffee and cola. If you are looking for a stout on the toasty, charred spectrum, this is fantastic.
Aug 14, 2021
4 by Casey_L from Texas on Aug 03, 2021
4.25 by Taenim from New Jersey on Jul 26, 2021
4.73 by chiefz1 from New York on Mar 29, 2021
4.44/5 rDev +5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by hopsputin from New Jersey
a: silky, dark jet black color. no light penetrates. thin tan head that is no more than a film (as you'd expect from the abv)
s: loads of rich roasted malts. milk and dark chocolate. sweet licorice, molasses, toffee. a hint of vanilla and oak. earthy leather and a hint of cola. a nice mild touch of dark fruit and fig sweetness at the end. rich, decadent, and complex aroma
t: roasted malts, sweet cola, and dark chocolate. a mild hop bitterness asserts itself after that, as well as a little bit of bitterness from the roast. milk chocolate and cocoa powder follow that. molasses and faint dark fruits. leather and a little tobacco hiding out in here too.
m: full mouthfeel with moderate carbonation
o: absolutely awesome Imperial Stout. rich, complex, yet very easy to drink for 11%. this beer is an absolute treat for sure
Mar 06, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by hopsputin from New Jersey
a: silky, dark jet black color. no light penetrates. thin tan head that is no more than a film (as you'd expect from the abv)
s: loads of rich roasted malts. milk and dark chocolate. sweet licorice, molasses, toffee. a hint of vanilla and oak. earthy leather and a hint of cola. a nice mild touch of dark fruit and fig sweetness at the end. rich, decadent, and complex aroma
t: roasted malts, sweet cola, and dark chocolate. a mild hop bitterness asserts itself after that, as well as a little bit of bitterness from the roast. milk chocolate and cocoa powder follow that. molasses and faint dark fruits. leather and a little tobacco hiding out in here too.
m: full mouthfeel with moderate carbonation
o: absolutely awesome Imperial Stout. rich, complex, yet very easy to drink for 11%. this beer is an absolute treat for sure
Mar 06, 2021
4.64 by Fubudu187 from Illinois on Jan 17, 2021
4.33 by StanleysCup from Maryland on Dec 04, 2020
4.51/5 rDev +6.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by Guaro from Italy
Completely black body with hazelnut colored foam with an irregular but creamy grain and good persistence. Elegant bouquet of dark fruit and caramel, leather, toasted wheat and coffee, chocolate and hints of vanilla and wood. Sweet entry, caramel, chocolate, plum, raisins, great roasting notes and an earthy hopping finish. Medium body and not too viscous, fine and medium intensity carbonation. Aftertaste of ash, licorice and coffee with a return of chocolate with a gentle ethyl embrace.
Sep 24, 2020
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by Guaro from Italy
Completely black body with hazelnut colored foam with an irregular but creamy grain and good persistence. Elegant bouquet of dark fruit and caramel, leather, toasted wheat and coffee, chocolate and hints of vanilla and wood. Sweet entry, caramel, chocolate, plum, raisins, great roasting notes and an earthy hopping finish. Medium body and not too viscous, fine and medium intensity carbonation. Aftertaste of ash, licorice and coffee with a return of chocolate with a gentle ethyl embrace.
Sep 24, 2020
4.56 by anthony-s from New Jersey on Jun 09, 2020
4.25/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by RMW66 from Australia
First non-barrel aged stout I've had in a while that I really enjoyed. Pours black with thin white-cream head that lingers. Roasted malts forward on the nose. Nice dark chocolate and roasted malt notes on the palate. Coffee less apparent to me on the nose and palate than noted in some other reviews, but I drink strong coffee and like beers with strong coffee flavors, which may make me less sensitive to more subtle coffee nose and flavor. Smooth mouth feel with medium length. Very enjoyable beer.
Apr 19, 2020
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by RMW66 from Australia
First non-barrel aged stout I've had in a while that I really enjoyed. Pours black with thin white-cream head that lingers. Roasted malts forward on the nose. Nice dark chocolate and roasted malt notes on the palate. Coffee less apparent to me on the nose and palate than noted in some other reviews, but I drink strong coffee and like beers with strong coffee flavors, which may make me less sensitive to more subtle coffee nose and flavor. Smooth mouth feel with medium length. Very enjoyable beer.
Apr 19, 2020
3.91/5 rDev -7.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4
by macrosmatic from Florida
Reviewed from (long-standing) notes. Bottle was purchased online in 2012. Somehow cellared until consumption on 1/13/18. Poured from the 750 mL bottle into an El Catador Barrel-Aged glass.
A: Very dark brown, nearly opaque, with only a minimum of visible carbonation and only small/thin head. Not much cork pop either while opening this one.
S: Nice roasted malts, dark chocolate, and a fair amount of bitter cacao. Mild coffee, caramel, tobacco. Noticeable ethanol sweetness on the nose, and some vanilla comes up as it warms.
T: Big roasted malts - dark chocolate roast and milder coffee. Caramel, vanilla, and drying tobacco. Mild cola, and a notable amount of roasted bitterness here too. More chocolate with dry bitterness in the hang.
M: The body is on the thin side for an Imperial Stout, especially one with this hefty of an ABV. Very low carbonation sensation here, but I’m willing to accept that that might be due to age. The alcohol is prominent, but not overly hot for 11%.
O: A pretty tasty roasty and “European” type stout. Plus there's enough chocolate roast to prevent this from being a charred/smokey/tobacco fest in its entirety. Not maybe my personal favorite, especially the lack in the mouthfeel, but pretty good.
Apr 05, 2020
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4
by macrosmatic from Florida
Reviewed from (long-standing) notes. Bottle was purchased online in 2012. Somehow cellared until consumption on 1/13/18. Poured from the 750 mL bottle into an El Catador Barrel-Aged glass.
A: Very dark brown, nearly opaque, with only a minimum of visible carbonation and only small/thin head. Not much cork pop either while opening this one.
S: Nice roasted malts, dark chocolate, and a fair amount of bitter cacao. Mild coffee, caramel, tobacco. Noticeable ethanol sweetness on the nose, and some vanilla comes up as it warms.
T: Big roasted malts - dark chocolate roast and milder coffee. Caramel, vanilla, and drying tobacco. Mild cola, and a notable amount of roasted bitterness here too. More chocolate with dry bitterness in the hang.
M: The body is on the thin side for an Imperial Stout, especially one with this hefty of an ABV. Very low carbonation sensation here, but I’m willing to accept that that might be due to age. The alcohol is prominent, but not overly hot for 11%.
O: A pretty tasty roasty and “European” type stout. Plus there's enough chocolate roast to prevent this from being a charred/smokey/tobacco fest in its entirety. Not maybe my personal favorite, especially the lack in the mouthfeel, but pretty good.
Apr 05, 2020
4.08 by JakerLou from New Hampshire on Mar 22, 2020
4.09 by DBosco from Massachusetts on Mar 10, 2020
4.25 by drstalker from Illinois on Jan 18, 2020
4.16 by Sulty from Massachusetts on Jan 18, 2020
3.84/5 rDev -9.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by philbe311 from Pennsylvania
I've wanted to try this one for quite some time, finally getting around to it... Two plus fingers of rich dark brown batter-like froth with excellent retention... Slick jet black color with limited visible carbonation... The nose is subtle but all the usual suspects are present - dark chocolate, licorice and roasted malts... The roasted malt is dialed up on the palate, but everything else holds true... Full bodied and sleek with a slightly astringent finish... Really good, but nothing remarkable...
Dec 25, 2019
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by philbe311 from Pennsylvania
I've wanted to try this one for quite some time, finally getting around to it... Two plus fingers of rich dark brown batter-like froth with excellent retention... Slick jet black color with limited visible carbonation... The nose is subtle but all the usual suspects are present - dark chocolate, licorice and roasted malts... The roasted malt is dialed up on the palate, but everything else holds true... Full bodied and sleek with a slightly astringent finish... Really good, but nothing remarkable...
Dec 25, 2019
4 by BerryKumquat from California on Dec 24, 2019
4.25 by rare_bird from Michigan on Dec 03, 2019
4.44/5 rDev +5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by Thomas_Wikman from Texas
This was thick and big stout and yet surprisingly easy drinking. It is delicious.
Look: black with a very thick mocca colored head
Aroma: roasted malts, chocolate, coffee.
Taste: roasted malts, milk chocolate, a bit sweet, and coffee
Body/Overall: full body, oily, thick and slick
Oct 24, 2019
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by Thomas_Wikman from Texas
This was thick and big stout and yet surprisingly easy drinking. It is delicious.
Look: black with a very thick mocca colored head
Aroma: roasted malts, chocolate, coffee.
Taste: roasted malts, milk chocolate, a bit sweet, and coffee
Body/Overall: full body, oily, thick and slick
Oct 24, 2019
4.75 by Brob245 from Missouri on Oct 14, 2019
4.5/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by rex_4539 from Greece
L: Jet black color, half finger brown head, excellent thin lacing, no visible carbonation.
S: Chocolate, coffee, sweet.
T: Chocolate, coffee, sweet. Delicious. The essential imperial stout.
F: Full bodied, full flavored.
O: A signature imperial stout. How it "should" taste.
Oct 06, 2019
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by rex_4539 from Greece
L: Jet black color, half finger brown head, excellent thin lacing, no visible carbonation.
S: Chocolate, coffee, sweet.
T: Chocolate, coffee, sweet. Delicious. The essential imperial stout.
F: Full bodied, full flavored.
O: A signature imperial stout. How it "should" taste.
Oct 06, 2019
4/5 rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by GuyFawkes from Illinois
2014 vintage; drank 10/21/15 @ the Yarchives.
Black/brown appearance.
A rough pour yielded a HUGE dark khaki head; a frothy curtain of lace.
Chocolate milk & fresh earth notes in the nose.
Thick, chalky mouthfeel.
Bakers chocolate & faint blood orange flavors up front; fresh earth notes on the finish. Faint dry booze heat notes emerged as this warmed.
This was a good RIS to me; earthy & solid.
Sep 18, 2019
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by GuyFawkes from Illinois
2014 vintage; drank 10/21/15 @ the Yarchives.
Black/brown appearance.
A rough pour yielded a HUGE dark khaki head; a frothy curtain of lace.
Chocolate milk & fresh earth notes in the nose.
Thick, chalky mouthfeel.
Bakers chocolate & faint blood orange flavors up front; fresh earth notes on the finish. Faint dry booze heat notes emerged as this warmed.
This was a good RIS to me; earthy & solid.
Sep 18, 2019
4.07 by antihero404 from California on May 20, 2019
4.28 by Oh_Dark_Star from Washington on May 06, 2019
4.21 by dafla67 from Pennsylvania on May 02, 2019
3.63/5 rDev -14.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
by Sludgeman from District of Columbia
Purchased at the Bruery Store in Washington, DC. Bottle caged and corked. Poured into a small stemmed tulip.
An OK imperial stout that reminds me of Founders Imperial Stout. 3.5
A – Pours a dark, black and viscous with a three-finger brown mousey head. Good head retention. A nice light brown/tan lacing. 4.25
S – Aromas of vanilla, roasted malt and then lesser coffee notes. 3.75
T – Coffee, roasted malts and light alcohol. 3.5
MF – Medium heavy bodied. 3.75
Apr 28, 2019
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
by Sludgeman from District of Columbia
Purchased at the Bruery Store in Washington, DC. Bottle caged and corked. Poured into a small stemmed tulip.
An OK imperial stout that reminds me of Founders Imperial Stout. 3.5
A – Pours a dark, black and viscous with a three-finger brown mousey head. Good head retention. A nice light brown/tan lacing. 4.25
S – Aromas of vanilla, roasted malt and then lesser coffee notes. 3.75
T – Coffee, roasted malts and light alcohol. 3.5
MF – Medium heavy bodied. 3.75
Apr 28, 2019
5 by Kwright from North Carolina on Apr 20, 2019
4.19/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by ChipChaight from New York
Bottle from Tavour
Pours black with a finger of tan head drapey lacing, smells like sweet roated malt husks, cocoa powder with hints of chocolate fudge, roast coffee, and booze, taste is sweet and bitter dark chocolate, cocoa nibs, booze, and finishes with a fairly bitter earthy roastiness, this beer if full bodied and well carbonated. As if the apple were to turn to coal as you took a bite, the delightful curse of the serpents persuasion.
Apr 06, 2019
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by ChipChaight from New York
Bottle from Tavour
Pours black with a finger of tan head drapey lacing, smells like sweet roated malt husks, cocoa powder with hints of chocolate fudge, roast coffee, and booze, taste is sweet and bitter dark chocolate, cocoa nibs, booze, and finishes with a fairly bitter earthy roastiness, this beer if full bodied and well carbonated. As if the apple were to turn to coal as you took a bite, the delightful curse of the serpents persuasion.
Apr 06, 2019
4.05/5 rDev -4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by chitoryu12 from Florida
Look: As thick as motor oil when pouring, creating a deep black body. Slightly less than a finger of chocolate milk head with average retention.
Smell: Noticeable alcohol, cherries, chocolate, toasted bread, and some spiciness.
Taste: Slightly bitter coffee and chocolate malt, backed by mild alcohol and a little hop bitterness.
Mouthfeel: Despite pouring like motor oil, it doesn't feel as thick and creamy as you would suggest. There's also noticeable carbonation.
Overall: Actually not one of my favorites! It's still quite good, but it feels lacking compared to something like Founders Breakfast Stout.
Mar 16, 2019
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by chitoryu12 from Florida
Look: As thick as motor oil when pouring, creating a deep black body. Slightly less than a finger of chocolate milk head with average retention.
Smell: Noticeable alcohol, cherries, chocolate, toasted bread, and some spiciness.
Taste: Slightly bitter coffee and chocolate malt, backed by mild alcohol and a little hop bitterness.
Mouthfeel: Despite pouring like motor oil, it doesn't feel as thick and creamy as you would suggest. There's also noticeable carbonation.
Overall: Actually not one of my favorites! It's still quite good, but it feels lacking compared to something like Founders Breakfast Stout.
Mar 16, 2019
4.25 by dbauer from California on Mar 15, 2019
4.02/5 rDev -5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by C21998 from Maryland
Mildly bitter, alcohol not too pronounced. As others have said, a perfect winter brew.
Feb 23, 2019
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by C21998 from Maryland
Mildly bitter, alcohol not too pronounced. As others have said, a perfect winter brew.
Feb 23, 2019
4.18 by BeerMe8 from Florida on Feb 21, 2019
3.75 by Elicoleman from Colorado on Jan 25, 2019
4.25 by Nurt20 from Illinois on Jan 21, 2019
4.2/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by EMH73 from New York
Pours black with a massive medium brown heat that is remarkably well retained and leaves excellent lacing. Smells of roasted and toasted malts with a bit of coffee. Tastes of roasted malts, espresso, cocoa powder, nuttiness, slightly burnt molasses and a woody quality. Full bodied, light to moderate bitterness, creamy mouth feel and a dry, slightly bitter finish.
Dec 30, 2018
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by EMH73 from New York
Pours black with a massive medium brown heat that is remarkably well retained and leaves excellent lacing. Smells of roasted and toasted malts with a bit of coffee. Tastes of roasted malts, espresso, cocoa powder, nuttiness, slightly burnt molasses and a woody quality. Full bodied, light to moderate bitterness, creamy mouth feel and a dry, slightly bitter finish.
Dec 30, 2018
4.36/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by mrl2112 from Pennsylvania
Pours very dark, with a huge head and lacing that lasts as long as it does. Taste... Roasty, toasty, malts and slight wood/ash. Very smooth and silky, with a little alcohol too. At 11%, the alcohol just warms you up, not too much.
Excellent stout for a winter eve
Dec 01, 2018
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by mrl2112 from Pennsylvania
Pours very dark, with a huge head and lacing that lasts as long as it does. Taste... Roasty, toasty, malts and slight wood/ash. Very smooth and silky, with a little alcohol too. At 11%, the alcohol just warms you up, not too much.
Excellent stout for a winter eve
Dec 01, 2018
4.24 by KMcGrath from Massachusetts on Nov 28, 2018
Serpent's Stout from The Lost Abbey
Beer rating:
94 out of
100 with
1886 ratings