Dark Star
Fremont Brewing Company

Dark StarDark Star
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From:
Fremont Brewing Company
 
Washington, United States
Style:
Oatmeal Stout
Ranked #59
ABV:
8%
Score:
91
Ranked #7,078
Avg:
4.08 | pDev: 8.33%
Reviews:
148
Ratings:
497
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 22, 2024
Added:
Jan 13, 2011
Wants:
  37
Gots:
  56
Dark Star is inspired by the wandering tribes scattered through the terrible journey of time and space and adrift in the dark matter between the spaces of then and now. Dark Star is a dark, mysterious yet silky oatmeal stout of grand proportions balanced by a firm hop handshake … go ahead, enjoy the journey … Because Beer Journeys Matter!

Down & Dirty: 2-Row Pale, Roast Barley, C-60, Carafa 2, and Chocolate malts with Flaked Oats and Magnum and Willamette hops.

IBU: 50

Color: Black
Aroma: Dark chocolate, caramel, coffee
Flavor: Espresso, cocoa, roasty

Availability: January 1 – February 29
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by GeorgeAKeim:
Photo of GeorgeAKeim
Rated by GeorgeAKeim from Oregon

4.12/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Apr 25, 2019
More User Ratings:
Photo of Beejay
Reviewed by Beejay from Virginia

3.84/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Dark brown in cookie with a dark head. Aroma is coffee and cream, with some nice Sweetness. Flavor is caramel, coffee, and a sweet oatmeal finish. Mouthfeel is medium body with some creaminess. Overall, pretty tasty.
Mar 22, 2024
Photo of NevadaBill
Reviewed by NevadaBill from Nevada

4.08/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Poured into a tulip glass. Small head which dissipates fast. Not flat, because it has lacing that stays active. Smell is typical of the style. It has a roasted/toasted flavor to it, a bold up front taste, and some bitterness which hangs around for a while. It has a light-medium mouth feel which is indicative of a standard Stout variety, but not of an Imperial. I enjoy the hop profile and the burnt or toasted notes and will like this one. However the price is near the top of where I like to spend on an Imperial of this style (I can't afford the top shelf stuff), and so it is not likely that I will repeat this purchase. I will take an 'Ol Rasputen, Speedway Stout, Narwahl, or a couple others before I choose this again, unless I find myself at the brewery when visiting Seattle.
Mar 16, 2024
 
Rated: 4.39 by Roguer from Connecticut

Mar 11, 2024
Photo of DoctorZombies
Reviewed by DoctorZombies from Florida

4.03/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Canned 2/8/23. Poured at 57°. Creamy light tan head with rocks; ok cap retention; heavy ring; medium heavy lacing; black with ruby edges. Nose is toasted chocolate malt. Taste follows nose; mild bitter roast. Medium light body; thin silky feel; moderate minus carbonation. Overall, a solid stout, yet I prefer the BBA varieties.
Feb 23, 2024
Photo of UWDAWG
Reviewed by UWDAWG from Washington

4.54/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 12 ounce can dated 11-13-23 into a tulip glass at 50 degrees.

Look- Black, opaque, scant small visible particulate at the margins, medium brown creamy head, above average head retention, average lacing.

Smell- Coffee, cocoa, slight licorice, medium strength of scent.

Taste- Coffee, cocoa, roasted oats, slight prune, between medium and high strength of flavor.

Feel- Full body, average carbonation, highly creamy, moderately bitter, mildly mouth warming, silky, mildly mouth coating.

Overall- This was a very delicious beer that provided a great drinking experience. In my opinion this is Fremont’s best year around offering, making it an outstanding buy.
Jan 26, 2024
Photo of NeilSilber1
Reviewed by NeilSilber1 from California

4.26/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Pours deep dark coffee with slight fading head that laces well to the sides of glass pint on draught. Really good oatmeal stout with bold notes of coffee malt backed by a firm hoppy bite at 50 IBU’s and 8%ABV.
Dec 28, 2023
 
Rated: 4.27 by funku2 from Colorado

Dec 27, 2023
Photo of CarolinaCardinals
Reviewed by CarolinaCardinals from North Carolina

4.2/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Picked up a 12 oz can from the Blue Door Bottleshop in Hendersonville 1-27-23 for $3.50. Packaged 12.20.22; consumed 12-26-23.

Beer poured dark brown with a beautiful tan head that has some major hang time.

Nose has notes of roasted malts and chocolate.

Taste is a larger malt base in which the primary malts are heavily roasted. Getting notes of dark cocoa just after the roast.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and smooth.

Overall this is a really well made oatmeal stout, glad i got to try this and would definitely have again!
Dec 26, 2023
Photo of mntlover
Reviewed by mntlover from Tennessee

4.17/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours black some tan highlights when held to the light, nice dark tan head falls slow and laces well.

Aroma is roasted malts chocolate and coffee dominating, smooth creamy some vanilla hints. Hints of lightly burnt malts, toffee and licorice.

Taste follows the nose, roasted malts chocolate and coffee dominating, vanilla creamy notes underneath. Whiffs of smoke , lightly burnt malts, licorice pretty nice stout for 8%. Finish is some bittering hops mingled with bitter coffee flavors or maybe its just all hops, lightly dry at the end.

Mouthfeel is big medium almost full with nice moderate carbonation.

Overall a nice little oatmeal stout.
Dec 20, 2023
 
Rated: 4.02 by MJSFS from Florida

Nov 22, 2023
 
Rated: 3.97 by vfgccp from New York

Nov 04, 2023
Photo of erickc
Rated by erickc from Washington

4.09/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Had on tap at Bulldog Saloon Lynnwood, WA
Nov 03, 2023
Photo of mactrail
Reviewed by mactrail from Washington

3.6/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Deep dark black-brown color with dark brown foam in the goblet. Pleasing sudsy mouthfeel with some sweetness on the lips. Then it goes a little little to the sour side in spite of the burnt sugar sweetness. Quite charred tasting. Also quite bitter. Overall this is a burly brew that pounds the taste buds. Possibly I am not worthy. From the 12 oz can purchased at the beer store. Confusing date stamp on the bottom.
Sep 21, 2023
Photo of ChainGangGuy
Reviewed by ChainGangGuy from Georgia

4.3/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
12 ounce can - $2.75 at Woodstock Beer Market in Woodstock, Georgia.

PKGD 05/01/23.

Appearance: Slips out a very dark brown, near black body with a tanned khaki head comprising about an inch of foam.

Smell: A blunted, mollified espresso roast dosed with vanilla-tinged creamer and chocolate sauce. Some dark fruitiness within. Light alcohol. Lightly earthy, floral hops.

Taste: A roastiness eased on down with a dollop of soft vanilla crème. Melty milk chocolate, light licorice and a dark fruitiness of iced prunes. Faint, muted floral, earthy accent with a restrained clean hop bitterness. Just the right amount of alcohol warmth. Creamy, smooth, sweetish finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus body. Medium carbonation. Houses a pleasing creaminess.

Overall: Top notch.
Aug 22, 2023
Photo of Rug
Reviewed by Rug from Massachusetts

4.26/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Canned 4/13/23

I’m reviewing this beer blind. This is one of my last beers from woemad’s final BIF box, and I have no idea what it is, but I will be treating it as a normal review and posting it to the corresponding beer once it is revealed. Let’s get into it

Pours a very dark brown with 3 fingers of frothy tan head that slowly fades to a cap and leaves decent lacing. The head retention almost looks like a nitro pour but I know it’s not

Right off the bat on the nose I’m thinking this is a Scwarzbier, but it does seem a bit too sweet for that. I’m picking up on aromas of dark toast, cocoa powder, earthy hops, molasses, burnt caramel, vanilla, black licorice, and raisin

The taste suggests something between a Milk Stout and a plain old American Stout, interesting. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting cocoa powder, dark toast, black cherry, vanilla, brown sugar, raisin, light caramel, and black licorice. The swallow brings notes of cocoa powder, medium roast coffee, black cherry, earthy hops, burnt caramel, vanilla, light molasses, and raisin

A medium body pairs with gentle carbonation, resulting in a smooth beer. Finishes a tad sticky but dries out over time

Obviously if you’re reading this, you know what beer it’s for, but it was just revealed to me as Fremont’s Dark Star. This was great. It’s an Oatmeal Stout so my guess was in the ballpark but not quite right
Jul 11, 2023
Photo of JerzDevl2000
Reviewed by JerzDevl2000 from New Jersey

4.19/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Dammit, I’ve been on the road for a month and I vowed not to blow money on this stuff but with a name like this, how could so resist? Love the song and as much as I can’t karaoke night here, I was in this bar nine months ago and had to come back here…

Thankfully, this measured up to its rating on here as it poured dark with a lovely mocha head and surprisingly wasn’t that thick. Absolutely lovely, well-defined rings of lacing stayed behind as they almost looked like a painting - that’s how amazingly layered they were. Lots of oatmeal, bitter chocolate, roasted barley, and left coast hops in the muted nose as they burst forth in the taste. All of them meshed well together as this was true to stylistic form, full-bodied, and quite silky on the palate. Hard to find a good take on this style as it was straight outta Washington down to the last bit of hop burn.

The pine and earthiness was a great way for this beer to leave a lasting impression on me as the carbonation kept this from feeling any stronger than it’s listed 8% ABV. Plenty roasted, somewhat dry, and never heavy, this was so much fun and worth breaking my vow with!
Jul 10, 2023
Photo of MacMalt
Reviewed by MacMalt from New Jersey

4.19/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Canned on 9/29/2021. Poured into a tulip glass. It pours a very dark walnut color with a large, foamy, light mocha cap and frothy lacing. The smell is roasty with dark chocolate, burnt coffee, and a whiff of oatmeal sweetness. This is nice! Roasty and bitter with bakers chocolate, acidic coffee, burnt nuts, and earthy char balanced by caramel and oats. If finishes strongly bitter. I really like the balance and sophistication. It has a moderately creamy feel with lite/moderate carbonation, and the 8% ABV gives it great substance for the style. Overall, this is an Oatmeal Stout with attitude! If it were available in New Jersey I'd drink it regularly.
Jul 09, 2023
 
Rated: 4.25 by shigg85 from Japan

Jun 23, 2023
 
Rated: 4.52 by MikeZim

Jun 20, 2023
Dark Star from Fremont Brewing Company
Beer rating: 91 out of 100 with 497 ratings