Bourbon Barrel Aged Dark Star: Coffee Edition
Fremont Brewing Company


Beer Geek Stats
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- From:
- Fremont Brewing Company
- Washington, United States
- Style:
- Stout - Oatmeal
Ranked #2 - ABV:
- 13.6%
- Score:
- 100
Ranked #150 - Avg:
- 4.52 | pDev: 5.75%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- May 04, 2022
- Added:
- Sep 15, 2014
- Wants:
- 347
- Gots:
- 179
SCORE
100
World-Class
100
World-Class


Notes:
Imperial Oatmeal Stout with Coffee Aged in Bourbon Barrels.
2019: Blend of 24, 18, 12, and 8-month Bourbon Barrel-Aged Dark Star in 7-12-year old Kentucky bourbon barrels. ABV: 12.4%
2018: Blend of 24, 18, 12 and 8-month Bourbon Barrel-Aged Dark Star in 7-12-year old Kentucky bourbon barrels. 13.6%
2017: Blend of 18, 12 and 8-month Bourbon Barrel-Aged Dark Star in 12-year old Kentucky bourbon barrels. 13.1%
2016: Blend of 18, 12 and 8-month bourbon barrel-aged Dark Star in 12-year old Kentucky Bourbon barrels. 14.5%
2019: Blend of 24, 18, 12, and 8-month Bourbon Barrel-Aged Dark Star in 7-12-year old Kentucky bourbon barrels. ABV: 12.4%
2018: Blend of 24, 18, 12 and 8-month Bourbon Barrel-Aged Dark Star in 7-12-year old Kentucky bourbon barrels. 13.6%
2017: Blend of 18, 12 and 8-month Bourbon Barrel-Aged Dark Star in 12-year old Kentucky bourbon barrels. 13.1%
2016: Blend of 18, 12 and 8-month bourbon barrel-aged Dark Star in 12-year old Kentucky Bourbon barrels. 14.5%
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
4 by ejimhof from Pennsylvania on May 04, 2022
4.39 by desint from Belgium on Apr 18, 2022
4.43/5 rDev -2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
by Scotchboy from Idaho
Thick, velvety, smooth - plenty of oatmeal in the body with a dark caramel bourbon/oak presence that carries from start to finish. Tons of cocoa. Coffee is there, roasty and bitter but subdued still present), however everything else is excellent. The bourbon barrel/char/oak/vanilla character is outstanding at 3 years old.
Mar 06, 2022
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
by Scotchboy from Idaho
Thick, velvety, smooth - plenty of oatmeal in the body with a dark caramel bourbon/oak presence that carries from start to finish. Tons of cocoa. Coffee is there, roasty and bitter but subdued still present), however everything else is excellent. The bourbon barrel/char/oak/vanilla character is outstanding at 3 years old.
Mar 06, 2022
4.31 by smithj4 from New York on Mar 05, 2022
4.5/5 rDev -0.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by barnzy78 from Illinois
22oz bomber
2019 Limited Release, 12.4% ABV
thanks to Instagram @beeraficionado!
L: a thick tan head caps a black stout
S: I was worried about the coffee fading, but it’s dominant on the nose; dark chocolate, oaky bourbon, vanilla
T: bold & rich flavors: dark chocolate, coffee, boozy bourbon, oak, vanilla, oats, earthy hops
F: full body, good balance, ample carbonation
O: this was great, but I’d love to try this one fresh sometime. The coffee was present in flavor but maybe not as much as it could have been given this is two years old
Feb 26, 2022
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by barnzy78 from Illinois
22oz bomber
2019 Limited Release, 12.4% ABV
thanks to Instagram @beeraficionado!
L: a thick tan head caps a black stout
S: I was worried about the coffee fading, but it’s dominant on the nose; dark chocolate, oaky bourbon, vanilla
T: bold & rich flavors: dark chocolate, coffee, boozy bourbon, oak, vanilla, oats, earthy hops
F: full body, good balance, ample carbonation
O: this was great, but I’d love to try this one fresh sometime. The coffee was present in flavor but maybe not as much as it could have been given this is two years old
Feb 26, 2022
4.48 by not2quick from Missouri on Jan 18, 2022
4.6 by o29 from Texas on Jan 05, 2022
4.5 by JBowenGeorgia from Georgia on Jan 03, 2022
4.39/5 rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by DIM from Pennsylvania
2018 version recently purchased from Tavour. Hope to get a fresh bottle some day.
Time and/or coffee seems to have muted the rich, dark chocolate a bit and the body is lighter with lower carbonation. The whiskey and vanilla also faded in intensity a bit but are still enormously satisfying. I can't call it intense, but the coffee is surprisingly robust after 3+ years. I get a really pleasant mocha note. I suspect time has diminished this somewhat. I am enjoying what I have though, all the elements at work are in harmony.
Dec 24, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by DIM from Pennsylvania
2018 version recently purchased from Tavour. Hope to get a fresh bottle some day.
Time and/or coffee seems to have muted the rich, dark chocolate a bit and the body is lighter with lower carbonation. The whiskey and vanilla also faded in intensity a bit but are still enormously satisfying. I can't call it intense, but the coffee is surprisingly robust after 3+ years. I get a really pleasant mocha note. I suspect time has diminished this somewhat. I am enjoying what I have though, all the elements at work are in harmony.
Dec 24, 2021
4.99/5 rDev +10.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
by ManBearPat from Colorado
2018:
This might be one of the best beers I’ve ever had.
Thick, but not too thick.. minimal head retention.
Literally let it sit in the glass, taking in the aroma as it warmed a bit to a reasonable temperature… my dear friend that was kind enough to share it must have a cold fridge.
Nose was chocolatey and a slight caramel note from the barrel I’m assuming.
Taste is perfect. A big old imperial stout with a great, balanced barrel presence and a well integrated touch of coffee.
Feel wise, it’s certainly not the thickest stout around, but somewhere on the thicker side with the carbonation fairly subdued.
Overall this is right up there with the best of the best barrel aged stouts anywhere and I am incredibly appreciative of the friend who shared it with me.
Dec 11, 2021
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
by ManBearPat from Colorado
2018:
This might be one of the best beers I’ve ever had.
Thick, but not too thick.. minimal head retention.
Literally let it sit in the glass, taking in the aroma as it warmed a bit to a reasonable temperature… my dear friend that was kind enough to share it must have a cold fridge.
Nose was chocolatey and a slight caramel note from the barrel I’m assuming.
Taste is perfect. A big old imperial stout with a great, balanced barrel presence and a well integrated touch of coffee.
Feel wise, it’s certainly not the thickest stout around, but somewhere on the thicker side with the carbonation fairly subdued.
Overall this is right up there with the best of the best barrel aged stouts anywhere and I am incredibly appreciative of the friend who shared it with me.
Dec 11, 2021
4.42 by PDinunzi from New Jersey on Oct 28, 2021
4.75 by Juggerr from New York on Sep 13, 2021
4.25 by rstump24 from Ohio on Aug 24, 2021
4.9/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
by jb_4226 from Texas
Review #49, coffee and whiskey well balanced
Aug 03, 2021
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
by jb_4226 from Texas
Review #49, coffee and whiskey well balanced
Aug 03, 2021
4.28 by Jcoleman4 from Ohio on Jun 30, 2021
4.75/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
by Victory_Sabre1973 from Minnesota
2018 vintage. Consumed June 29th, 2021.
Thick looking pour. This beer pours pitch black. There's no clarity at all. The beer produces a 1 finger tan head. The head quickly dissipates to a ring on the edge of the glass, with no lacing.
The nose is amazing. I get so much here. I get coffee, vanilla, caramel, chocolate, toffee, and raisin. The aromas work very well together.
Taste - this beer starts out coffee on the flavor. It then gets me many other flavors. The ones I can pull out are chocolate, caramel, toffee, vanilla, and raisin. These flavors are very delicious.
The body is thick, and smooth. There's almost no burn from the alcohol. There's also a bit of a creamy feel.
I am in love with this beer.
Jun 29, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
by Victory_Sabre1973 from Minnesota
2018 vintage. Consumed June 29th, 2021.
Thick looking pour. This beer pours pitch black. There's no clarity at all. The beer produces a 1 finger tan head. The head quickly dissipates to a ring on the edge of the glass, with no lacing.
The nose is amazing. I get so much here. I get coffee, vanilla, caramel, chocolate, toffee, and raisin. The aromas work very well together.
Taste - this beer starts out coffee on the flavor. It then gets me many other flavors. The ones I can pull out are chocolate, caramel, toffee, vanilla, and raisin. These flavors are very delicious.
The body is thick, and smooth. There's almost no burn from the alcohol. There's also a bit of a creamy feel.
I am in love with this beer.
Jun 29, 2021
4 by Rkitchen from Michigan on Jun 19, 2021
4.46 by SayBoom from Ukraine on Apr 30, 2021
4.5 by micada from New York on Apr 25, 2021
4.49 by WDJersey from Colorado on Apr 19, 2021
4.6/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by backblast from Alaska
2018 vintage
Taste the dark roasted malt and dark espresso up front then the dark fruits and bittersweet chocolate appear. Definitely get the barrel and booziness in it. Nice viscous mouthfeel and is surprisingly light on palate. Very enjoyable.
Mar 03, 2021
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by backblast from Alaska
2018 vintage
Taste the dark roasted malt and dark espresso up front then the dark fruits and bittersweet chocolate appear. Definitely get the barrel and booziness in it. Nice viscous mouthfeel and is surprisingly light on palate. Very enjoyable.
Mar 03, 2021
4.31 by John-Galt from Texas on Feb 28, 2021
4.75 by blackcloud from Alaska on Feb 26, 2021
5 by TylerJ from Iowa on Feb 10, 2021
4.75 by mrmsmith from District of Columbia on Feb 09, 2021
4.35 by Ciocanelu from Romania on Feb 04, 2021
4.67/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by Guaro from Italy
Bottle 2018
Black with compact and creamy hazelnut foam and good hold. Scent of coffee, chocolate, toasts, wood, vanilla and bourbon. On the palate coffee chocolate, molasses, cherries in alcohol, vanilla, notes of wood and light ash, resin, bourbon. In the finish there is a great return of the chocolate immediately attacked by the roasting of coffee and a resinous bitterness. Complete all the constant ethyl friendly hug. The body is viscous and full, the carbonation fine and low.
Jan 27, 2021
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by Guaro from Italy
Bottle 2018
Black with compact and creamy hazelnut foam and good hold. Scent of coffee, chocolate, toasts, wood, vanilla and bourbon. On the palate coffee chocolate, molasses, cherries in alcohol, vanilla, notes of wood and light ash, resin, bourbon. In the finish there is a great return of the chocolate immediately attacked by the roasting of coffee and a resinous bitterness. Complete all the constant ethyl friendly hug. The body is viscous and full, the carbonation fine and low.
Jan 27, 2021
4.46 by Tcsox from Massachusetts on Jan 11, 2021
4.64 by Bogdawg from Massachusetts on Jan 11, 2021
4.44 by danielledrinksbeer from Washington on Jan 08, 2021
4.5 by nataku00 from California on Dec 26, 2020
4.25/5 rDev -6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Furlinator from California
2018 Edition.
Dec 18, 2020
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Furlinator from California
2018 Edition.
Dec 18, 2020
4.25/5 rDev -6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by erickc from Washington
Had on tap while socially distant outside at Special Brews Lynnwood, WA.
Dec 08, 2020
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by erickc from Washington
Had on tap while socially distant outside at Special Brews Lynnwood, WA.
Dec 08, 2020
4.56 by moltch from Massachusetts on Dec 03, 2020
4.54 by nollie77 from Ohio on Nov 19, 2020
4.63 by lorenwhite7 from Virginia on Nov 18, 2020
4.29/5 rDev -5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by NolaHopHead from Louisiana
2017
Nov 14, 2020
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by NolaHopHead from Louisiana
2017
Nov 14, 2020
4.59 by SierraFlight from Virginia on Sep 19, 2020
4.22 by beersgud from Kansas on Sep 18, 2020
3.93 by westcoastbeerlvr from California on Sep 16, 2020
Bourbon Barrel Aged Dark Star: Coffee Edition from Fremont Brewing Company
Beer rating:
100 out of
100 with
905 ratings