Bourbon Barrel Aged Dark Star: Chocolate, Vanilla & Maple Syrup
Fremont Brewing Company
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- From:
- Fremont Brewing Company
- Washington, United States
- Style:
- Stout - American Imperial
- ABV:
- 13.1%
- Score:
- 97
- Avg:
- 4.45 | pDev: 6.97%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- May 31, 2021
- Added:
- Oct 15, 2019
- Wants:
- 8
- Gots:
- 13
SCORE
97
World-Class
97
World-Class
Notes:
This year’s release is a blend of 24, 18, 12, and 8-month Bourbon Barrel-Aged Dark Star in 7-12-year old Kentucky bourbon barrels. The roasted and chocolate malts complement the smooth oats to bring you a stout delight wrapped in the gentle embrace of bourbon barrel-aged warmth. A touch of sweetness dances in balance with the hops to finish with a wave, and then she’s gone
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
4.94 by GClarkage from California on May 31, 2021
4.75 by TylerJ from Iowa on Apr 15, 2021
4.28 by kjkinsey from Texas on Apr 03, 2021
4.25 by jschott75 from Illinois on Mar 15, 2021
4.35 by Beerbom from California on Mar 10, 2021
4.35/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by mothman from Minnesota
Bottle. 2019.
Tan head. Black color.
Chocolate, cocoa, and vanilla sweetness. The maple syrup blends with the barrels. Bourbon and heat in the finish.
Full bodied and very enjoyable.
Mar 07, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by mothman from Minnesota
Bottle. 2019.
Tan head. Black color.
Chocolate, cocoa, and vanilla sweetness. The maple syrup blends with the barrels. Bourbon and heat in the finish.
Full bodied and very enjoyable.
Mar 07, 2021
4.4 by wisegreensoul from Idaho on Feb 13, 2021
4.31 by Spaceman_Jer from Colorado on Jan 14, 2021
4.5 by UIR1983 from Iowa on Jan 12, 2021
5 by brandonwnw from Washington on Dec 24, 2020
4.46/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
by DokiDokiLitFam from New Jersey
Pours out pitch black with a single line of dark brown foam even on a hard pour.
Nose is roasty and aggressive. If I didn't know any better, I would have guessed this was a Russian Imperial. Medium bourbon and barrel presence with big, rich, bold roasty malt notes. This reminds me a lot of Parabola. I don't get Chocolate, Vanilla, or Maple unfortunately.
Taste is a little bit more expressive. Its that same big barrel aged stout beast but there are slight hints of chocolate. Quick flashes that give you images of brownies and baked goods. There is also slight bits of vanilla that brighten up the brew. While it is strong, its not as unrelenting as Parabola. Still im not getting Maple.
Mouthfeel is full bodied, smooth perfection. Very mild carbonation. This is what to expect every time you get a Fremont Oatmeal Stout. Amazing stuff.
Overall this one is a little far off home plate than what I expected. Still great nonetheless but I don't remember if the malt was quite as aggressive as Coffee Dark Star or Rusty Nail. I'll have to check back with my 2017 Rusty Nail bottle. Anyway, a great brew.
Dec 09, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
by DokiDokiLitFam from New Jersey
Pours out pitch black with a single line of dark brown foam even on a hard pour.
Nose is roasty and aggressive. If I didn't know any better, I would have guessed this was a Russian Imperial. Medium bourbon and barrel presence with big, rich, bold roasty malt notes. This reminds me a lot of Parabola. I don't get Chocolate, Vanilla, or Maple unfortunately.
Taste is a little bit more expressive. Its that same big barrel aged stout beast but there are slight hints of chocolate. Quick flashes that give you images of brownies and baked goods. There is also slight bits of vanilla that brighten up the brew. While it is strong, its not as unrelenting as Parabola. Still im not getting Maple.
Mouthfeel is full bodied, smooth perfection. Very mild carbonation. This is what to expect every time you get a Fremont Oatmeal Stout. Amazing stuff.
Overall this one is a little far off home plate than what I expected. Still great nonetheless but I don't remember if the malt was quite as aggressive as Coffee Dark Star or Rusty Nail. I'll have to check back with my 2017 Rusty Nail bottle. Anyway, a great brew.
Dec 09, 2020
4.32 by PhineasMcClintock from Massachusetts on Oct 24, 2020
4.35 by kmoen from California on Oct 23, 2020
4.47 by BAsbill from California on Oct 23, 2020
4.35/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by REVZEB from Illinois
Brown tinted midnight black opaque body with a creamy brown head. Bourbon warmth and oak barrel set up the nose with the adjunct vanilla, maple, and chocolate, get some smoke, bittersweet chocolate syrup, oat, and roasted barley. Taste is the longest sip I can remember, it just keeps going! Char, earth, wood start our adventure, then the bourbon, molasses, and bitters, followed by subtle oat, brown sugar, maple, and bittersweet chocolate syrup before maple candy with a vanilla flair ends it all with a boozy bite. Drawbacks: wants more integration and gets very sweet, especially for an oatmeal stout. The feel is not dampened by the sweetness, great barrel character and oat/malt/barley base providing an earthy and rustic backbone.
Sep 16, 2020
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by REVZEB from Illinois
Brown tinted midnight black opaque body with a creamy brown head. Bourbon warmth and oak barrel set up the nose with the adjunct vanilla, maple, and chocolate, get some smoke, bittersweet chocolate syrup, oat, and roasted barley. Taste is the longest sip I can remember, it just keeps going! Char, earth, wood start our adventure, then the bourbon, molasses, and bitters, followed by subtle oat, brown sugar, maple, and bittersweet chocolate syrup before maple candy with a vanilla flair ends it all with a boozy bite. Drawbacks: wants more integration and gets very sweet, especially for an oatmeal stout. The feel is not dampened by the sweetness, great barrel character and oat/malt/barley base providing an earthy and rustic backbone.
Sep 16, 2020
4.68 by bigpoppa67 from Wisconsin on Sep 06, 2020
4.52/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
by Sabtos from Ohio
Viscous tar black with a burnt mocha head that dies down quickly to a fluid but densely fine film and thin tan ring.
A delectably smooth and moderately thick body melds well with both the chocolatey malt and added chocolate that work perfectly together while playing well with a lightly charred, peppery bourbon barrel presence. Immediately accenting and even inching to the fore is a substantial vanilla contribution that has a creamy cupcake icing flavor to it, but also a deeper bean note in the background.
The maple doesn't seem to add a lot of character to the brew, but the barrel continues to shine on subsequent sips and especially on the exhale, with a tingly heat and a faint hint of campfire coal ash. The nearly full body has a fine carbonation running throughout, coming to a numbing, semi-dry and only minimally sticky finish.
Aug 29, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
by Sabtos from Ohio
Viscous tar black with a burnt mocha head that dies down quickly to a fluid but densely fine film and thin tan ring.
A delectably smooth and moderately thick body melds well with both the chocolatey malt and added chocolate that work perfectly together while playing well with a lightly charred, peppery bourbon barrel presence. Immediately accenting and even inching to the fore is a substantial vanilla contribution that has a creamy cupcake icing flavor to it, but also a deeper bean note in the background.
The maple doesn't seem to add a lot of character to the brew, but the barrel continues to shine on subsequent sips and especially on the exhale, with a tingly heat and a faint hint of campfire coal ash. The nearly full body has a fine carbonation running throughout, coming to a numbing, semi-dry and only minimally sticky finish.
Aug 29, 2020
4.44 by mattmarka1 from Minnesota on Aug 13, 2020
4.5 by QuakeAttack from California on Jun 29, 2020
4.37/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by Scotchboy from Idaho
On tap in Nampa ID.
A: Dark, velvety pour yields minimal head and lace.
S: Sweetness and spirit; maple is prominent as well as vanilla and bourbon, with milk chocolate notes and some roast character as well.
T: The maple on this draft is nice; there is a decadent sweetness but it isn’t overpowering, you still get plenty of dark roast, oak and bourbon. Hints of coffee too, with impressions of mocha.
MF: Velvety full mouthfeel, lower carbonation. Not quite the fullness of other Dark Stars I’ve tried but still ‘big’.
O: A very nice offering, I was stoked to try it and it didn’t disappoint.
Jun 18, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by Scotchboy from Idaho
On tap in Nampa ID.
A: Dark, velvety pour yields minimal head and lace.
S: Sweetness and spirit; maple is prominent as well as vanilla and bourbon, with milk chocolate notes and some roast character as well.
T: The maple on this draft is nice; there is a decadent sweetness but it isn’t overpowering, you still get plenty of dark roast, oak and bourbon. Hints of coffee too, with impressions of mocha.
MF: Velvety full mouthfeel, lower carbonation. Not quite the fullness of other Dark Stars I’ve tried but still ‘big’.
O: A very nice offering, I was stoked to try it and it didn’t disappoint.
Jun 18, 2020
5/5 rDev +12.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
by CraftFan5 from New Jersey
9 June 2020 - Beer #115
Corona Day #89
Price: $24.99 at Bob's Liquors in Seattle, WA
Appearance: 5 - entirely opaque black with stunning tan lacing.
Nose: 5 - pretty much all barrel. No chocolate, vanilla, or maple to speak of, but the barrel is heavenly.
Taste: 5 - amazingly complex. Everything is just blended together so well, and the barrel is perfect.
Mouth: 5 - along the best mouthfeels I've experienced. Unbelievably smooth from the oatmeal stout base.
Overall: 5 - fantastic, a true standout in the series.
Stay safe out there, my friends.
Cheers!
Jun 16, 2020
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
by CraftFan5 from New Jersey
9 June 2020 - Beer #115
Corona Day #89
Price: $24.99 at Bob's Liquors in Seattle, WA
Appearance: 5 - entirely opaque black with stunning tan lacing.
Nose: 5 - pretty much all barrel. No chocolate, vanilla, or maple to speak of, but the barrel is heavenly.
Taste: 5 - amazingly complex. Everything is just blended together so well, and the barrel is perfect.
Mouth: 5 - along the best mouthfeels I've experienced. Unbelievably smooth from the oatmeal stout base.
Overall: 5 - fantastic, a true standout in the series.
Stay safe out there, my friends.
Cheers!
Jun 16, 2020
4.44/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
by DefenCorps from Oregon
On tap at Orenco Taphouse.
Jet black with a dense, dark brown head that falls off to a thin ring rapidly, this is solid. Maple and vanilla with a nice mellow coconut and bourbon heart along with a rich dark chocolate, dark honey, rich and creamy. The palate opens rich and balanced, a blend of bourbon, vanilla, maple, coconut, all from the barrel along with rich dark chocolate, mildly sweet, tempered by a moderate roasted malt bitterness that only serves to amplify the sweetness, particularly the coconut notes. The chocolate is rich and deep, with layers of bitterness and dark fruit, along with a cocoa note. The midpalate is particularly unctuous and decadent, creamy and rich like a good dark chocolate ganache. Full in body, softly and creamy in carbonation, this beer has a long, bitter finish with vanilla and a light maple sweetness. Quite excellent.
Jun 13, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
by DefenCorps from Oregon
On tap at Orenco Taphouse.
Jet black with a dense, dark brown head that falls off to a thin ring rapidly, this is solid. Maple and vanilla with a nice mellow coconut and bourbon heart along with a rich dark chocolate, dark honey, rich and creamy. The palate opens rich and balanced, a blend of bourbon, vanilla, maple, coconut, all from the barrel along with rich dark chocolate, mildly sweet, tempered by a moderate roasted malt bitterness that only serves to amplify the sweetness, particularly the coconut notes. The chocolate is rich and deep, with layers of bitterness and dark fruit, along with a cocoa note. The midpalate is particularly unctuous and decadent, creamy and rich like a good dark chocolate ganache. Full in body, softly and creamy in carbonation, this beer has a long, bitter finish with vanilla and a light maple sweetness. Quite excellent.
Jun 13, 2020
4.55 by BirdsandHops from Oregon on Jun 12, 2020
4.5 by nataku00 from California on May 31, 2020
4.46/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by darktronica from Indiana
As fudgey as I've ever smelled on the nose of a beer, morphing into boozy brownie batter once it hits the palate. Rich and redolent, not overwhelming on the maple notes, which works for me. Moderately thin compared to expectations, but still pleasingly smooth.
May 30, 2020
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
by darktronica from Indiana
As fudgey as I've ever smelled on the nose of a beer, morphing into boozy brownie batter once it hits the palate. Rich and redolent, not overwhelming on the maple notes, which works for me. Moderately thin compared to expectations, but still pleasingly smooth.
May 30, 2020
4.73 by Noles9585 from Washington on May 11, 2020
5/5 rDev +12.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
by pathman from Ohio
04/20/20 bottle @ home
Apr 21, 2020
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
by pathman from Ohio
04/20/20 bottle @ home
Apr 21, 2020
4.65/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
by JamFuel from Sweden
Pours thick, smooth and jet black with a finger and a half of chocolate colored foam.
Smell is rich and sweet with notes of chocolate, maple syrup, coffee, vanilla and some charred oak.
Taset is powerful and roasty with huge notes of chocolate and coffee along with plenty of charred oak and cocoa. Lesser hints of sweet maple syrup and nuts bring on a long finish with a bit of bitterness. Plenty of booze, but mostly in feel rather than taste.
Mouthfeel is thick and viscous with good carbonation.
Overall, an outstanding stout, everything I was hoping for.
Apr 19, 2020
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
by JamFuel from Sweden
Pours thick, smooth and jet black with a finger and a half of chocolate colored foam.
Smell is rich and sweet with notes of chocolate, maple syrup, coffee, vanilla and some charred oak.
Taset is powerful and roasty with huge notes of chocolate and coffee along with plenty of charred oak and cocoa. Lesser hints of sweet maple syrup and nuts bring on a long finish with a bit of bitterness. Plenty of booze, but mostly in feel rather than taste.
Mouthfeel is thick and viscous with good carbonation.
Overall, an outstanding stout, everything I was hoping for.
Apr 19, 2020
4.44 by fthegiants from California on Mar 12, 2020
4.41/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by beersampler6 from Michigan
Tremendous beer, well worth the trouble it took to acquire it online. 2019 edition. Pours a thick syrupy black opaque color with some fluffy tan head and just some small rings of lingering lacing. Smells nice, strong dark chocolate fudge and dark roast coffee, malt, caramel, vanilla, lightly toasted nuts, raisin, brown sugar, bourbon, oak and some weaker maple syrup in the background. Taste follows the nose, and I appreciated how the maple syrup sweetness wasn't overpowering or cloying. Nice dark rich flavors, complex and well balanced. A slow sipper but only a mild alcohol burn as the beer warmed. Smooth, sticky mouthfeel that coated the palate, perfect amount of carbonation. This Dark Star series has been a real pleasure.
Mar 03, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by beersampler6 from Michigan
Tremendous beer, well worth the trouble it took to acquire it online. 2019 edition. Pours a thick syrupy black opaque color with some fluffy tan head and just some small rings of lingering lacing. Smells nice, strong dark chocolate fudge and dark roast coffee, malt, caramel, vanilla, lightly toasted nuts, raisin, brown sugar, bourbon, oak and some weaker maple syrup in the background. Taste follows the nose, and I appreciated how the maple syrup sweetness wasn't overpowering or cloying. Nice dark rich flavors, complex and well balanced. A slow sipper but only a mild alcohol burn as the beer warmed. Smooth, sticky mouthfeel that coated the palate, perfect amount of carbonation. This Dark Star series has been a real pleasure.
Mar 03, 2020
4.5 by petewheeler from Maryland on Mar 02, 2020
4.25 by jmbeerdude91 from Arizona on Feb 27, 2020
4.5 by Old_Dead_Oak from Wisconsin on Feb 24, 2020
3.75 by Elicoleman from Colorado on Feb 19, 2020
4.5/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by BEER88 from Washington
Perfect for a cold day. Looks like used motor oil and a khaki head. Smells of bourbon, dark fruit, milk chocolate, and roasted coffee. Taste was Roast then to chocolate and vanilla, moving to that barrel mid palate, finishing with maple. Feel was slick, thicc and chewy. Overall this was solid but it is still a bit hot maybe another couple months before it’s at its prime IMO!!
Feb 09, 2020
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by BEER88 from Washington
Perfect for a cold day. Looks like used motor oil and a khaki head. Smells of bourbon, dark fruit, milk chocolate, and roasted coffee. Taste was Roast then to chocolate and vanilla, moving to that barrel mid palate, finishing with maple. Feel was slick, thicc and chewy. Overall this was solid but it is still a bit hot maybe another couple months before it’s at its prime IMO!!
Feb 09, 2020
4.75 by Skellbop from New York on Feb 09, 2020
4.46 by Ristaccia from Nebraska on Feb 09, 2020
4.14/5 rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by BerryKumquat from California
L: Dark brown.
S: Strong syrup with a hint of chocolate.
T: Strong syrup flavor with a bit of chocolate and vanilla but lots of barrel flavor.
F: Wood and syrup.
O: This is 60% as strong version of Rogue XS Old Crustacean.
Feb 09, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by BerryKumquat from California
L: Dark brown.
S: Strong syrup with a hint of chocolate.
T: Strong syrup flavor with a bit of chocolate and vanilla but lots of barrel flavor.
F: Wood and syrup.
O: This is 60% as strong version of Rogue XS Old Crustacean.
Feb 09, 2020
4.38 by dshansen1184 from Washington on Feb 07, 2020
4.47/5 rDev +0.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
by zonker17 from Texas
Draft pour at Pine Box. Black with beige head, good retention and lacing. Nose has the chocolate, vanilla in the back. Taste is hard to nail, but vanilla is on top, boozy finish. Huge body and sweet.
Feb 03, 2020
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
by zonker17 from Texas
Draft pour at Pine Box. Black with beige head, good retention and lacing. Nose has the chocolate, vanilla in the back. Taste is hard to nail, but vanilla is on top, boozy finish. Huge body and sweet.
Feb 03, 2020
Bourbon Barrel Aged Dark Star: Chocolate, Vanilla & Maple Syrup from Fremont Brewing Company
Beer rating:
97 out of
100 with
75 ratings