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Bourbon Barrel Aged Dark Star: Coconut, Cacao
Fremont Brewing Company


Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- From:
- Fremont Brewing Company
- Washington, United States
- Style:
- Oatmeal Stout
Ranked #7 - ABV:
- 13.5%
- Score:
- 96
Ranked #828 - Avg:
- 4.48 | pDev: 3.57%
- Reviews:
- 15
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- May 22, 2023
- Added:
- Feb 02, 2022
- Wants:
- 2
- Gots:
- 5
SCORE
96
World-Class
96
World-Class


Notes:
Imperial oatmeal stout with coconut and cacao nibs aged in bourbon barrels.
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. This special edition adds coconut and cacao to complement the smooth oats and bring you an imperial 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.
Down & Dirty: 2-row pale, roasted barley, crystal-60, chocolate and carafa-2 malts with flaked oats and Columbus, Willamette and Cascade hops with toasted coconut and Theo Chocolate cacao nibs.
IBU: 50
Color: Deep black, opaque
Aroma: Chocolate, toffee and vanilla with other sweet aromatics, rich coconut, alongside oak and whiskey
Flavor: Definitely sweet with a subtle bitterness in thick body with moderate, smooth carbonation, with some warmth and moderate mouthwatering
Availability: Released February, 2022; limited
Fresh Range: Age this beer, or try one now...go on.
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. This special edition adds coconut and cacao to complement the smooth oats and bring you an imperial 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.
Down & Dirty: 2-row pale, roasted barley, crystal-60, chocolate and carafa-2 malts with flaked oats and Columbus, Willamette and Cascade hops with toasted coconut and Theo Chocolate cacao nibs.
IBU: 50
Color: Deep black, opaque
Aroma: Chocolate, toffee and vanilla with other sweet aromatics, rich coconut, alongside oak and whiskey
Flavor: Definitely sweet with a subtle bitterness in thick body with moderate, smooth carbonation, with some warmth and moderate mouthwatering
Availability: Released February, 2022; limited
Fresh Range: Age this beer, or try one now...go on.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by dafla67 from Pennsylvania
4.59/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.59/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a deep, dark brown. Aroma dominated by the chocolate, with strong hints of bourbon and slight hints of vanilla and coconut. Taste is wonderful and well balanced. Follows nose but a bit more intense especially the coconut and vanilla (though the coconut is not overpowering). Mouthfeel is full & smooth. Incredible stout.
May 22, 2023Reviewed by brentk56 from North Carolina
4.65/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.65/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Appearance: Pours fudge brown with a thin beige head that fades to a collar; leggy with a few speckles
Smell: Whiskey barrel tones dominate but don't overwhelm; milk chocoate, toffee, coconut and vanilla layer in
Taste: As in the aroma, the Whiskey lays down a blanket over the taste buds and the other flavors co-mingle on the platform - milk chocolate, coconut and vanilla, in particular, with just a hint of toffee and dried fig; the finish is a nice blend with the Whiskey wrapping it all up
Mouthfeel: Full bodied and somewhat creamy with low to moderate carbonation; some warmth in the gullet
Overall: You can taste the work of a master blender here; this is spectacular
Apr 09, 2023Smell: Whiskey barrel tones dominate but don't overwhelm; milk chocoate, toffee, coconut and vanilla layer in
Taste: As in the aroma, the Whiskey lays down a blanket over the taste buds and the other flavors co-mingle on the platform - milk chocolate, coconut and vanilla, in particular, with just a hint of toffee and dried fig; the finish is a nice blend with the Whiskey wrapping it all up
Mouthfeel: Full bodied and somewhat creamy with low to moderate carbonation; some warmth in the gullet
Overall: You can taste the work of a master blender here; this is spectacular
Reviewed by gatornation from Florida
4.38/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.38/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Pours a dense black color with a mocha latte 1 finger head . Smell is milk chocolate,coconut whiskey and malt . taste is superb with a luscious barrel/whiskey and oatmeal stout make smooth/sweet with added cocoa , and coconut . The coconut is perfect as is the barrel well balanced not overpowering. Mouth feel is barrel forward with soft milky notes very drinkable ,not overly sweet.
Mar 10, 2023Reviewed by Christianriveraaa
4.51/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
4.51/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
L: Poured from a 22oz bomber into a sniffer - Jet black pour half a fingers length of foam risen to the surface.
S: Definitely getting that sweet milk chocolate followed with the whiskey barrel aroma. Getting coconut towards the back along with toffee, vanilla. Getting slight dark fruits as well. Smells delicious!
T: Juuuuust as it describes, except the coconut appears more. Getting a rich chocolatey coconut followed by some dark fruits, smooth vanilla. The toffee is the only thing that doesn't appear as much as the others but it's still present. The abv hides so well on this but you can still sense the sweet whiskey in there.
F: Medium bodied, super easy to drink. Drinks at a 11%. Feel is thick.
O: This is a good one. I was honestly expecting more of the coconut but this gives you so many flavors that are well balanced and complexed, it's still deserving of an A in my book. Awesome job Fremont. Thank you for this delicious beer. Would recommend if you are willing to drop $33 for this.
Mar 08, 2023S: Definitely getting that sweet milk chocolate followed with the whiskey barrel aroma. Getting coconut towards the back along with toffee, vanilla. Getting slight dark fruits as well. Smells delicious!
T: Juuuuust as it describes, except the coconut appears more. Getting a rich chocolatey coconut followed by some dark fruits, smooth vanilla. The toffee is the only thing that doesn't appear as much as the others but it's still present. The abv hides so well on this but you can still sense the sweet whiskey in there.
F: Medium bodied, super easy to drink. Drinks at a 11%. Feel is thick.
O: This is a good one. I was honestly expecting more of the coconut but this gives you so many flavors that are well balanced and complexed, it's still deserving of an A in my book. Awesome job Fremont. Thank you for this delicious beer. Would recommend if you are willing to drop $33 for this.
Reviewed by Luscious_Malfoy from Illinois
4.44/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.44/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
poured from a 22oz bomber into an oversized snifter. pours black with a chocolate mousse-like foam head. bourbon barrel sting, chocolate, vanilla and faint coconut on the nose. taste follows but is much smoother than the nose would suggest. instead of a harsh barrel presence it’s a smooth bourbon and oak flavor. full, creamy mouthfeel. really good DS variant. wish the coconut was a little more pronounced but i suppose i give them credit for balance because it only takes just a little too much coconut for it to be too much.
Feb 16, 2023Reviewed by DoctorZombies from Florida
4.66/5 rDev +4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.66/5 rDev +4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Bottled February 2022. Poured at 54°. Fast fizzy reddish tan head immediately vanishes leaving no cap retention, ring, nor lace; medium legs on swirl. Coconut nose front and center followed by bourbon, chocolate and plenty of bourbon in the retro nasal. Taste is sweet coconut, bourbon and chocolate; oaky vanilla middle; coconut water with chocolate finish. Medium body, not adjuncty; moderate minus carbonation; surprisingly little warmth from 13.5% abv. Overall, I love coconut stouts and this beer does not disappoint - let’s start with decadent!, tons of chocolate and boozy bourbon, and why I signed on - Coconut!; well balanced and satisfied several layers of flavors - Bourbon, Coconut and Chocolate; A Mounds candy bar soaked in Bourbon delish!
Nov 01, 2022Reviewed by StonedTrippin from Colorado
4.49/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.49/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
absolutely magnificent, the latest iteration of this epic stout which continues to impress each time it drops. was lucky enough to get to drink this on tap, a total treat. this time done with coconut and cacao, which to me bring out unique sides of the bourbon barrel treatment, and its almost like i am tasting this again for the first time, like the base beer gets a facelift from the added ingredients, not that it needs one, but they serve to enhance it, not distract from it, a rarity in this day and age where adjuncts run wild, the proportions and even restraint here are commendable. familiar dark chocolate colored pour with a luxurious tan head, creamy and lasting, lovely frothy milky layer on the top of this, sets the texture of the beer up brilliantly. the nose and taste are identical, big coffee character with the dark roast, but never bitter, light smoke to this, a little hazelnut thing in the middle malt profile too, which is where i get most of the cacao, earthy and intense without being rich. the cacao seems to bring some of the barrel char forward in the bourbon, while the coconut has a toasted warmth to it and brings up honey and vanilla nuance from the whiskey, as well as some of its natural corn sweetness. the oak presence is strong, there is some maple type sweetness here too, and its rather alcoholic but in a way that sort of slows me down enough to let this warm up, catch it at its most flavorful, and really savor it. i love the way the chocolate and coconut character linger longest, but not in a diabetic forced way, its just how they slowly fade together that makes this even more dynamic, smooth, and memorable. not too much of either, just right. palate coating body, glorious complexity, just elite beer through and through, nobody does it like fremont!
Jun 28, 2022Reviewed by Scotchboy from Idaho
4.25/5 rDev -5.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev -5.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Waxed 22oz bottle, Father's Day 2022 weekend. Pours out that familiar oily thick black with a fairly dark head, though not as ominous and motor-oil like as I recall other variants and vintages being - as expected, those adjuncts are front and center and create a very fudgy/brownie nose and palate combined with the hefty roasted malt backbone and the oatmeal stout component of this one. Warmth, sweetness, bourbon, chocolate, coconut, all present and fairly well integrated. Just a bit sweet for more, would benefit from some more roasted character or maybe even a coffee addition? This is just my preference, still a very good beer.
Jun 20, 2022Reviewed by bbtkd from South Dakota
4.43/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.43/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Fremont BBA Coconut Cacao Barrel Aged Dark Star 2022 Imperial Oatmeal Stout, 13.5% ABV. Pours thick and black with a half-finger brown head that left no lacing. Nose is coconut, cacao, and bourbon. Taste follows, plus toffee and vanilla, with coconut in the lead, slightly sweet, slightly bitter. Incredible thick and smooth mouthfeel with adequate carbonation. Overall outstanding to world-class adjacent. Not a pastry stout.
Jun 19, 2022Reviewed by darktronica from Indiana
4.32/5 rDev -3.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.32/5 rDev -3.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Pours with a restrained level of viscosity and a full finger of head that disappears quickly with only a rim around the glass left behind. This takes a chocolate-forward annual release and makes it a bit more decadent with the addition of cacao nibs and coconut. Still very well balanced with substantial barrel character and bourbon heat, without being over the top. When going down this road, I could see having a little more coconut since the base BA Dark Star already presents a lot of chocolate notes, but it's still a nice accent. Honey, occasional fig spread and toast.
May 03, 2022Reviewed by DIM from Pennsylvania
4.56/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.56/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
As always I expected this to be amazing and as always Fremont delivered. The cacao addition accentuates an already chocolatey stout which is probably unnecessary but is darn tasty. The coconut is noticable primarily at the finish makes itself comfortably at home blending in seamlessly. The barrel notes are incredibly rich, just dripping with boozy decadence. Great stuff, but I prefer regular BADS.
Nobody consistently does barrel aging better.
Apr 25, 2022Nobody consistently does barrel aging better.
Reviewed by REVZEB from Illinois
4.61/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
4.61/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Shimmering midnight black with a tan head that fades into a thick collar. Smells of the usual ba dark star with the wonderful stout depths but now the chocolate is brighter yet fuller, and a huge vanillin backed coconut is there too. Taste is an evolution in the series come to pass: the dark chocolate and cocoa meld with rustic oak, bourbon, molasses, oatmeal, supporting caramel and brown sugar, finished with vanillins, coconut, and a kiss of anise. Feel is medium-heavy bodied with a warm and smooth sip every time, adjuncts are not felt as much which is ideal, oatmeal and malt lead the way solidly. Delicious and deep
Apr 16, 2022Reviewed by Wasatch from Colorado
4.85/5 rDev +8.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.85/5 rDev +8.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
22 oz. Bomber
Blue Wax/Capped
Limited 2022 Release
Poured into a Westy glass a very nice dark brown/black color, with some very nice carbonation, with a very nice thick/creamy one-finger tan head, which also leaves a pretty nice medium size island, and some pretty nice creamy sticky lacing behind. The nose is very nice, malty, hoppy, with a very nice touch of chocolate/toffee, pretty nice touch of caco nibs, coconut, very nice bourbon/oak note, vanilla, with some licorice, slightly roasty. The taste is very nice, awesome, malty, hoppy, with a very nice touch of chocolate/toffee, pretty nice touch of caco nibs, coconut, very nice bourbon/oak note, very nice vanilla sweetness, licorice, pretty nice roastyness. Full Body, ABV is hidden very nicely, a very tasty complex brew, a very nice big sipper. Overall, this is one pretty awesome brew. Definitely nice to see this one around.
Apr 11, 2022Blue Wax/Capped
Limited 2022 Release
Poured into a Westy glass a very nice dark brown/black color, with some very nice carbonation, with a very nice thick/creamy one-finger tan head, which also leaves a pretty nice medium size island, and some pretty nice creamy sticky lacing behind. The nose is very nice, malty, hoppy, with a very nice touch of chocolate/toffee, pretty nice touch of caco nibs, coconut, very nice bourbon/oak note, vanilla, with some licorice, slightly roasty. The taste is very nice, awesome, malty, hoppy, with a very nice touch of chocolate/toffee, pretty nice touch of caco nibs, coconut, very nice bourbon/oak note, very nice vanilla sweetness, licorice, pretty nice roastyness. Full Body, ABV is hidden very nicely, a very tasty complex brew, a very nice big sipper. Overall, this is one pretty awesome brew. Definitely nice to see this one around.
Reviewed by John_M from Washington
4.45/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
4.45/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
On tap at Roscoe's today.
The beer pours the expected blackish brown color with really good head retention and considerable leaving. On the nose, I pick up considerable molasses, along with dark chocolate, coconut and vanilla. There's some underlying bourbon as well, but it's not all that prominent. Flavor profile replicates the nose pretty closely in this rich, sweet, full throttled beer. Mouthfeel is full, soft and the finish is nearly endless. Alcohol is very well integrated into the flavor profile, though you can tell it's up there a bit
Not that I'm surprised, but this is another home run for the folks at Fremont. Just an excellent BA dark star variant from this reliably excellent brewery.
Apr 02, 2022The beer pours the expected blackish brown color with really good head retention and considerable leaving. On the nose, I pick up considerable molasses, along with dark chocolate, coconut and vanilla. There's some underlying bourbon as well, but it's not all that prominent. Flavor profile replicates the nose pretty closely in this rich, sweet, full throttled beer. Mouthfeel is full, soft and the finish is nearly endless. Alcohol is very well integrated into the flavor profile, though you can tell it's up there a bit
Not that I'm surprised, but this is another home run for the folks at Fremont. Just an excellent BA dark star variant from this reliably excellent brewery.
Rated by BEER88 from North Carolina
4.5/5 rDev +0.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.5/5 rDev +0.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
My Untappd @c b has full review with pic
Mar 12, 2022Rated by pkalix from California
4.5/5 rDev +0.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.5/5 rDev +0.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
nice!
Feb 27, 2022Reviewed by Radcpa from Washington
4.44/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.44/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Very dark appearance with slight tan head that dissipates quickly. Aroma is a very mild Coconut. Taste is a pleasant coconut and cocoa. Has a nice texture.
Feb 16, 2022
Bourbon Barrel Aged Dark Star: Coconut, Cacao from Fremont Brewing Company
Beer rating:
96 out of
100 with
34 ratings
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