-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Serpent's Stout
The Lost Abbey
- From:
- The Lost Abbey
- California, United States
- Style:
- American Imperial Stout
Ranked #933 - ABV:
- 11%
- Score:
- 94
Ranked #2,279 - Avg:
- 4.23 | pDev: 8.27%
- Reviews:
- 616
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jan 05, 2024
- Added:
- Jun 10, 2007
- Wants:
- 328
- Gots:
- 448
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.
Ratings by Gueuzedude:
Reviewed by Gueuzedude from Arizona
3.48/5 rDev -17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
3.48/5 rDev -17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Well carbonated as a reasonably careful pour produces a four-finger thick, creamed chocolate brown colored head in my 25cl glass that threatens to over flow. The beer is a rich black color with just a hint of concentrated brown to it. The head only slowly subsides and leaves a thick layer of froth on the sides of my glass. No amount of moving it up to the light makes this anything but opaque. Rich roasty malt notes, with a distinctly toasted grain note. Not totally unsurprisingly this smells exactly like the Moonlit Sessions Lager, perhaps a bit more intense, but not overly so; even that distinct, toasty grain character is replicated. Aromas of chocolate, well browned bread, toasted cracker aromas, dark roasted coffee. Underneath the dry, roast-driven malt notes is a deep malt sweetness with notes of burnt raisins and blackened figs. While this has a touch of burnt acidity and acrid roast character, these are fairly well in check and this has a fairly nice nose for a beer of this style.
Despite resting for 10 minutes it is still quite well carbonated; it feels frothy as it first hits the tongue, but it is thick enough to over-power the ample carbonation. After swirling this to degas it a bit, the texture becomes a bit more manageable; thick, chewy, with a creamy texture, though it is not hugely thick, though most definitely a powerful beer. Lots of sweet malt flavors contribute notes reminiscent of charred raisins, dark chocolate, touches of molasses and even some black liquorice flavors. Chalky grain notes stick to my teeth as does a slight astringent, burnt grain character. A light burnt acidity mixes with thick sweet malt notes in the finish, providing a bit of balance. The hop character is fairly mellow here, at least the malt character is so big that you really don't notice any hop contributions. The roast grain notes can at times contribute a burnt vegetal note, though it is not nearly as offensive as some examples.
A decent example of the style, it probably needs a year or more (and will remain good for quite some years) to round out the burnt vegetal notes. I like that this is not overly burnt in character, the roast malt character steers pretty well clear of being overly harsh, astringent and acidic. I am waffling between this being quite tasty and just a bit too green; in the end though, while this is a tasty brew, the second runnings of the mast (Moonlit Sessions) is the better beer.
Purchased: Plaza Liquors, Tucson AZ
Apr 24, 2008Despite resting for 10 minutes it is still quite well carbonated; it feels frothy as it first hits the tongue, but it is thick enough to over-power the ample carbonation. After swirling this to degas it a bit, the texture becomes a bit more manageable; thick, chewy, with a creamy texture, though it is not hugely thick, though most definitely a powerful beer. Lots of sweet malt flavors contribute notes reminiscent of charred raisins, dark chocolate, touches of molasses and even some black liquorice flavors. Chalky grain notes stick to my teeth as does a slight astringent, burnt grain character. A light burnt acidity mixes with thick sweet malt notes in the finish, providing a bit of balance. The hop character is fairly mellow here, at least the malt character is so big that you really don't notice any hop contributions. The roast grain notes can at times contribute a burnt vegetal note, though it is not nearly as offensive as some examples.
A decent example of the style, it probably needs a year or more (and will remain good for quite some years) to round out the burnt vegetal notes. I like that this is not overly burnt in character, the roast malt character steers pretty well clear of being overly harsh, astringent and acidic. I am waffling between this being quite tasty and just a bit too green; in the end though, while this is a tasty brew, the second runnings of the mast (Moonlit Sessions) is the better beer.
Purchased: Plaza Liquors, Tucson AZ
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by Christianriveraaa
4.02/5 rDev -5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.02/5 rDev -5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
L: Jet black pour from a 1 pint 9 fl oz bottle into a sniffer - thick motor oil appearance. foam appeared (approx 1 fingers length). Not much lacing left behind as it dissolves.
S: Aromas of dark malt, molasses, earthy spices, chocolate, slight vanilla along with toffee.
T: Just like the smell indicated, big on the sweet dark malts for this. Getting some chocolate, a bit of cola taste in the mix, with some molasses in there. slight coffee as well in this.
F: Heavy bodied, a good sipper. Not the easiest to drink but for the right taste buds it can be.
O: I enjoyed this stout, I personally love my stouts to be more chocolate forward, less malty, but this one is excellent in it's own ways. Definitely worth the try.
O:
Feb 11, 2023S: Aromas of dark malt, molasses, earthy spices, chocolate, slight vanilla along with toffee.
T: Just like the smell indicated, big on the sweet dark malts for this. Getting some chocolate, a bit of cola taste in the mix, with some molasses in there. slight coffee as well in this.
F: Heavy bodied, a good sipper. Not the easiest to drink but for the right taste buds it can be.
O: I enjoyed this stout, I personally love my stouts to be more chocolate forward, less malty, but this one is excellent in it's own ways. Definitely worth the try.
O:
Reviewed by RaulMondesi from California
4/5 rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
You breathe, I breathe - there is no god that has a grander breath. We exist as humans - as humans… Living just to live - but I also hope living for some greater good. Not me vs you. And not you vs me. Just people. As people. And hell…can’t we just be?
Sep 11, 2022Reviewed by NCSapiens from Indiana
4.36/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.36/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
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, 2021Reviewed by hopsputin from New Jersey
4.44/5 rDev +5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.44/5 rDev +5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
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, 2021s: 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
Serpent's Stout from The Lost Abbey
Beer rating:
94 out of
100 with
1897 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!