4th Anniversary | Westbrook Brewing Co.
Brewed by:
Westbrook Brewing Co.
South Carolina, United States
westbrookbrewing.com
Style: American Imperial Stout
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 10.00%
Availability: Limited (brewed once)
Notes / Commercial Description:
Chocoloate coconut almond imperial stout
This beer is retired; no longer brewed.
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 61
| Ratings: 554
4.2/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
22 oz bottle as, I hope, UGA beats Auburn for the SEC championship.
Essentially black body with a good light brown head.
All expected elements present: chocolate (the most obvious adjunct; more milk chocolate than dark chocolate until the aftertaste), almond (although hard to detect without some warming), coconut (faint), and dark roasted grains. Perhaps a bit sweeter than ideal but achieves good balance by the finish. Improves with warming.
Nice smooth and near full body.
Be forewarned: this has partially hidden ABV and is easy to drink quickly.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
22 oz bottle as, I hope, UGA beats Auburn for the SEC championship.
Essentially black body with a good light brown head.
All expected elements present: chocolate (the most obvious adjunct; more milk chocolate than dark chocolate until the aftertaste), almond (although hard to detect without some warming), coconut (faint), and dark roasted grains. Perhaps a bit sweeter than ideal but achieves good balance by the finish. Improves with warming.
Nice smooth and near full body.
Be forewarned: this has partially hidden ABV and is easy to drink quickly.
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4.04/5 rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Big thanks to dogdoc for sending this one! Reviewed from (long-standing) notes. Consumed May 7, 2015. Poured from 22 oz. bottle into a Cycle Brewing snifter glass.
A: Essentially black and opaque, with a thin mocha head that fades quickly. Minimal if any visible carbonation bubbles.
S: Chocolate, roasted malts and pipe tobacco. A bit of coconut and mildly boozy.
T: Chocolate and bitter cacao. Dark roasted malts with a modest amount of accompanying bitterness. Some coffee flavors with more rich tobacco. A fairly noticeable alcohol heat and ethanol sweetness in the middle, but it doesn’t come across as fusel. There is a nuttiness on the exhale that I’m willing to call almond – but it’s not strong. Coconut flavors might be here if you work at it, but they’re mild as well; this stays true even as the beer is allowed to warm.
M: Heavy-bodied, but not glass-coating like Cigar City stouts. Alcohol presence is noticeable but not overly hot. Low carbonation sensation.
O: A reasonably tasty beer, but I’m disappointed by the relative lack of the promised coconut and almond flavors. I had really high hopes for this beer – thought it sounded amazing. But it ended up as a fairly good chocolate-forward stout, albeit maybe a bit warming for a non-barrel aged stout at the listed ABV…rather than a coconut and nut-forward stout.
I kept expecting the flavors to really open up as this warmed, but if anything the alcohol is becoming more prominent instead…which isn’t helping particularly.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Big thanks to dogdoc for sending this one! Reviewed from (long-standing) notes. Consumed May 7, 2015. Poured from 22 oz. bottle into a Cycle Brewing snifter glass.
A: Essentially black and opaque, with a thin mocha head that fades quickly. Minimal if any visible carbonation bubbles.
S: Chocolate, roasted malts and pipe tobacco. A bit of coconut and mildly boozy.
T: Chocolate and bitter cacao. Dark roasted malts with a modest amount of accompanying bitterness. Some coffee flavors with more rich tobacco. A fairly noticeable alcohol heat and ethanol sweetness in the middle, but it doesn’t come across as fusel. There is a nuttiness on the exhale that I’m willing to call almond – but it’s not strong. Coconut flavors might be here if you work at it, but they’re mild as well; this stays true even as the beer is allowed to warm.
M: Heavy-bodied, but not glass-coating like Cigar City stouts. Alcohol presence is noticeable but not overly hot. Low carbonation sensation.
O: A reasonably tasty beer, but I’m disappointed by the relative lack of the promised coconut and almond flavors. I had really high hopes for this beer – thought it sounded amazing. But it ended up as a fairly good chocolate-forward stout, albeit maybe a bit warming for a non-barrel aged stout at the listed ABV…rather than a coconut and nut-forward stout.
I kept expecting the flavors to really open up as this warmed, but if anything the alcohol is becoming more prominent instead…which isn’t helping particularly.
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4.36/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
L: pours pitch black with no head
S: big chocolate, vanilla sweetness and some coconut. Nice complex aroma, layered. Just not powerful enough to get a 5 here. But it is almost 2 years old
T: very nice and layer like the aroma, but like the aroma it is all subdued. I imagine it was better fresh. But there is nice chocolate, and a almond/ vanilla sweetness.
F: it's thick and smooth, but not elite
O: a good beer, but I'm too late to the party
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look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
L: pours pitch black with no head
S: big chocolate, vanilla sweetness and some coconut. Nice complex aroma, layered. Just not powerful enough to get a 5 here. But it is almost 2 years old
T: very nice and layer like the aroma, but like the aroma it is all subdued. I imagine it was better fresh. But there is nice chocolate, and a almond/ vanilla sweetness.
F: it's thick and smooth, but not elite
O: a good beer, but I'm too late to the party
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3.77/5 rDev -11.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
"Our 4th Anniversary beer is a smooth black imperial stout aged on toasted coconuts, whole roasted almonds, cocoa nibs, and vanilla beans. Cheers!" Brewed in the style of an American Imperial Stout. Available in 22 oz. bottles and on limited draft.
Poured from a 22 oz. bottle to a snifter glass.
(Appearance) Pours a creamy foam head of a mocha brown color over a dark brown, near black body. Retention is good and lacing is light and spotty. 4.25
(Smell) Coconut milk smoothness and vanilla cream up front, with nutty toasted almond and soft chocolate undertones. The coconut and almonds come together for a fluffy, milky and unusual aroma. Potency is moderate. 3.5
(Taste) Dark chocolate syrups and rich toasted bread malts with subtle notes of vanilla cream, a toasty nut finish and creamy coconut flavors. Finishes smooth and lightly syrupy. 3.75
(Mouthfeel) Texture is slick, fluffy, lightly chewy, medium dry. Carbonation is light, generating a mild frothiness and a mildly crisp finish. Body is medium for the style, heavy overall. Balance is nearly even sweetness to earthy toasted and roast malt and adjunct bitterness. Alcohol presence is mild and there are no off characters. 4.25
(Overall) An interesting stout, but I don't find the coconut nor almond to come through all too brightly, leaving this a fairly sweet and easy drinking, but not too complex nor uniquely flavored stout. Tasty dessert ale, a bit on the sweet side. 3.75
Westbrook Brewing Co.'s
Chocolate Coconut Almond Imperial Stout
3.77/5.00
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look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
"Our 4th Anniversary beer is a smooth black imperial stout aged on toasted coconuts, whole roasted almonds, cocoa nibs, and vanilla beans. Cheers!" Brewed in the style of an American Imperial Stout. Available in 22 oz. bottles and on limited draft.
Poured from a 22 oz. bottle to a snifter glass.
(Appearance) Pours a creamy foam head of a mocha brown color over a dark brown, near black body. Retention is good and lacing is light and spotty. 4.25
(Smell) Coconut milk smoothness and vanilla cream up front, with nutty toasted almond and soft chocolate undertones. The coconut and almonds come together for a fluffy, milky and unusual aroma. Potency is moderate. 3.5
(Taste) Dark chocolate syrups and rich toasted bread malts with subtle notes of vanilla cream, a toasty nut finish and creamy coconut flavors. Finishes smooth and lightly syrupy. 3.75
(Mouthfeel) Texture is slick, fluffy, lightly chewy, medium dry. Carbonation is light, generating a mild frothiness and a mildly crisp finish. Body is medium for the style, heavy overall. Balance is nearly even sweetness to earthy toasted and roast malt and adjunct bitterness. Alcohol presence is mild and there are no off characters. 4.25
(Overall) An interesting stout, but I don't find the coconut nor almond to come through all too brightly, leaving this a fairly sweet and easy drinking, but not too complex nor uniquely flavored stout. Tasty dessert ale, a bit on the sweet side. 3.75
Westbrook Brewing Co.'s
Chocolate Coconut Almond Imperial Stout
3.77/5.00
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3.98/5 rDev -6.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Bottled on 12/17/14. Finally opened 3/13/2016. I've been storing it in a wine fridge at 55 degrees, but I still should have opened it when it was fresher.
It looks great. Jet black, lightly carbonated, nice rings of dense bubbles around the edge, nice lacing when tilted or swirled.
Light roasted malt and nutty smell. Zero coconut on the nose.
Flavor is also some chocolatey roasted malt and vanilla with some vague nuttiness. If you chew on it a bit and pay attention, the coconut does make an appearance.
Mouthfeel is great. It's creamy and dense.
Overall: Well, it says right on the label, "Best enjoyed as fresh as possible. Do not age or cellar this beer!" And they were right. Despite being properly cellared, the coconut in this beer is almost gone, and the almond is weak. I never had it fresh, so I don't know what it used to be like, but the coconut is very subtle at this point. Still, this is a darn good chocolate/vanilla dessert stout with subtle coconut/almond notes. But it's definitely not (or no longer) the liquid Almond Joy bar that I read about. I really wish I'd opened this bottle 9 months ago.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Bottled on 12/17/14. Finally opened 3/13/2016. I've been storing it in a wine fridge at 55 degrees, but I still should have opened it when it was fresher.
It looks great. Jet black, lightly carbonated, nice rings of dense bubbles around the edge, nice lacing when tilted or swirled.
Light roasted malt and nutty smell. Zero coconut on the nose.
Flavor is also some chocolatey roasted malt and vanilla with some vague nuttiness. If you chew on it a bit and pay attention, the coconut does make an appearance.
Mouthfeel is great. It's creamy and dense.
Overall: Well, it says right on the label, "Best enjoyed as fresh as possible. Do not age or cellar this beer!" And they were right. Despite being properly cellared, the coconut in this beer is almost gone, and the almond is weak. I never had it fresh, so I don't know what it used to be like, but the coconut is very subtle at this point. Still, this is a darn good chocolate/vanilla dessert stout with subtle coconut/almond notes. But it's definitely not (or no longer) the liquid Almond Joy bar that I read about. I really wish I'd opened this bottle 9 months ago.
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4.09/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bottled 12/17/14
A: Pitch-black pour with a dense black head. Decent retention but no sign of any lacing. Appears pretty still once it has completely settled down.
S: Strong vanilla initially. Definitely smells like almonds with some milk chocolate backing too.
T: Up front is plenty of vanilla with a bit of toasted coconut. Strong bittersweet chocolate with some char in the middle. Bittersweet chocolate continues into the finish with some light nuttiness. Long-lingering earthy cocoa between sips.
M: Fairly heavy; smooth.
O: Really nice stout. Unfortunately the coconut is super subtle but it's still a great chocolate/vanilla stout of course. This is 11 months old so maybe the coconut has faded a bit, hard to tell. The bittersweet chocolate really stands out for me in this one.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bottled 12/17/14
A: Pitch-black pour with a dense black head. Decent retention but no sign of any lacing. Appears pretty still once it has completely settled down.
S: Strong vanilla initially. Definitely smells like almonds with some milk chocolate backing too.
T: Up front is plenty of vanilla with a bit of toasted coconut. Strong bittersweet chocolate with some char in the middle. Bittersweet chocolate continues into the finish with some light nuttiness. Long-lingering earthy cocoa between sips.
M: Fairly heavy; smooth.
O: Really nice stout. Unfortunately the coconut is super subtle but it's still a great chocolate/vanilla stout of course. This is 11 months old so maybe the coconut has faded a bit, hard to tell. The bittersweet chocolate really stands out for me in this one.
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3.75/5 rDev -11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
After a LONG time sitting in the back of my beer frig, decided to bust this one out on a beautiful Saturday night with the Mrs.
Poured anxiously into a couple of Cigar City Hunah snifters since this was my closest glassware geographically to the source.
Poured fairly aggressively given the reviews of little head. Produced a small head that quickly went to sleep leaving a very dark beer sitting in my glass.
I so wanted a sniff if coconut but a dark char and slight aroma of almonds dominate. Slightly appealing but nothing to separate it. Taste is dark roast with some kick of the peppers and slight almond. Assuming the coconut was once more noticeable when fresh but sad to realize that I let this one prob sit way too long even though it was refrigerated since inception. If you are a coconut fan, look to Funky for your fix.
At this point, a decent beer but nothing to really differentiate it from others. If you have it, drink now but you might be disappointed as was I.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
After a LONG time sitting in the back of my beer frig, decided to bust this one out on a beautiful Saturday night with the Mrs.
Poured anxiously into a couple of Cigar City Hunah snifters since this was my closest glassware geographically to the source.
Poured fairly aggressively given the reviews of little head. Produced a small head that quickly went to sleep leaving a very dark beer sitting in my glass.
I so wanted a sniff if coconut but a dark char and slight aroma of almonds dominate. Slightly appealing but nothing to separate it. Taste is dark roast with some kick of the peppers and slight almond. Assuming the coconut was once more noticeable when fresh but sad to realize that I let this one prob sit way too long even though it was refrigerated since inception. If you are a coconut fan, look to Funky for your fix.
At this point, a decent beer but nothing to really differentiate it from others. If you have it, drink now but you might be disappointed as was I.
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3.96/5 rDev -6.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Pours a thin jet black with no head. Faint trace of vanilla and toast. Taste of burn coconut. Thin mouthfeel almost like a cordial... Quite enjoyable.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Pours a thin jet black with no head. Faint trace of vanilla and toast. Taste of burn coconut. Thin mouthfeel almost like a cordial... Quite enjoyable.
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4.24/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
I had this from a bottle back in January at the best bar in the world, Proletariat, and it absolutely blew my socks off. I loved it. I dreamed of the sweet, nutty, coconutty, dream of a chocolate bar flavor for months after. I was fortunate enough to score a bottle the same NYC visit and shared it with folks a couple of months later. The consensus was that it lacked coconut, or this, or that, or whatever. I've heard that complaint.
Well, now I'm revisiting.
10 months and change have passed.
This shit is still off the mufacking hook of the meatrack cellphone. Seriously. It's not quite as magical, but I'm still loving it.
The look on the pour speaks for itself. Classic Westbrook. Just a rich, stout-looking stout, even with minimal head. Still looks chewy and delicious.
The aroma is a nutty coconut and dark chocolate blend. All the people that said this had no coconut or whatever, whatever, STFU. You wasn't looking. It's there. It smells great. It's not some cloying, wannabe coconut milk you drink before yoga though. It's subtle and if you have a problem with subtlety than why you giving out 5s like hot cakes to Hill Farmstead beers? Their beers are all subtlety and you love 'em. So yeah, STFU, cuz this smells lovely.
Tastes lovely too. And yeah, you do get coconut, and nuttiness, and dark chocolate and dark fruit and something that even suggests some barrel-aging. Tons of great flavor. Sorry haters. The flavors here are rich and abundant.
I could see how the feel of this beer might throw some off, as it's got a strong roasted quality, aggressive yeast feel and spiciness that undermines the smoothness and creaminess. But they're still there. So I still like it. 4
Yeah, I'm the defender of this beer. I love it. I wish it was a recurring beer. I'd buy it all. I'd crowdsource a beer like this and I hate crowdsourcing. It's damn good. Accept that.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
I had this from a bottle back in January at the best bar in the world, Proletariat, and it absolutely blew my socks off. I loved it. I dreamed of the sweet, nutty, coconutty, dream of a chocolate bar flavor for months after. I was fortunate enough to score a bottle the same NYC visit and shared it with folks a couple of months later. The consensus was that it lacked coconut, or this, or that, or whatever. I've heard that complaint.
Well, now I'm revisiting.
10 months and change have passed.
This shit is still off the mufacking hook of the meatrack cellphone. Seriously. It's not quite as magical, but I'm still loving it.
The look on the pour speaks for itself. Classic Westbrook. Just a rich, stout-looking stout, even with minimal head. Still looks chewy and delicious.
The aroma is a nutty coconut and dark chocolate blend. All the people that said this had no coconut or whatever, whatever, STFU. You wasn't looking. It's there. It smells great. It's not some cloying, wannabe coconut milk you drink before yoga though. It's subtle and if you have a problem with subtlety than why you giving out 5s like hot cakes to Hill Farmstead beers? Their beers are all subtlety and you love 'em. So yeah, STFU, cuz this smells lovely.
Tastes lovely too. And yeah, you do get coconut, and nuttiness, and dark chocolate and dark fruit and something that even suggests some barrel-aging. Tons of great flavor. Sorry haters. The flavors here are rich and abundant.
I could see how the feel of this beer might throw some off, as it's got a strong roasted quality, aggressive yeast feel and spiciness that undermines the smoothness and creaminess. But they're still there. So I still like it. 4
Yeah, I'm the defender of this beer. I love it. I wish it was a recurring beer. I'd buy it all. I'd crowdsource a beer like this and I hate crowdsourcing. It's damn good. Accept that.
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4.31/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Looked like a stout, little head. Defintely a little roasty, chocolately nose, a bit nutty, little coconut. taste was bittersweet chocolate, nutty almond, sort of creamy. not alot of coconut, still a big fan
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look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Looked like a stout, little head. Defintely a little roasty, chocolately nose, a bit nutty, little coconut. taste was bittersweet chocolate, nutty almond, sort of creamy. not alot of coconut, still a big fan
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4.62/5 rDev +9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I have been saving this bottle for my one year anniversary weekend and so glad I did. This is a delicious stout. chocolate and coconut dominate flavor dominate. As another reviewer stated, it kind of tastes like liquid almond joy
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I have been saving this bottle for my one year anniversary weekend and so glad I did. This is a delicious stout. chocolate and coconut dominate flavor dominate. As another reviewer stated, it kind of tastes like liquid almond joy
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3.89/5 rDev -8.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.25
650 mL bottle poured into a snifter. Black body. If it had a head at all, it settled before I noticed. Oily surface. Coconut and chocolate aroma. A little booze. Tastes nutty with an ample does of coconut. Chocolatey malts and a boozy finish. Low carbonation with a slick mouthfeel. A little boozy here, too. Heavy with medium low carbonation. Pretty tasty beer.
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look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.25
650 mL bottle poured into a snifter. Black body. If it had a head at all, it settled before I noticed. Oily surface. Coconut and chocolate aroma. A little booze. Tastes nutty with an ample does of coconut. Chocolatey malts and a boozy finish. Low carbonation with a slick mouthfeel. A little boozy here, too. Heavy with medium low carbonation. Pretty tasty beer.
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4.64/5 rDev +9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Dec 11th 2014 bottle, opened Jun 28th 2015
A - Awesome pour. Thick black body with almost no highlights. Dark khaki head with ok retention and lace.
S - I'm in love with this nose. Great balance and definition. Coconut, chocolate, Whoppers, Coco Pebbles, toasted almonds, vanilla milk, and marzipan.
T - Oh my. Absolutely delicious. Outstanding integration and balance with extraordinary flavor definition. Chocolate ganache, toasted coconut, sweetened condensed milk, Baileys Irish Cream, hazelnut, and medium roast coffee. Fantastic depth through the finish.
M - Smooth, creamy fully body. Nice staying power.
O - A beautiful beer. Tip-o'-the-hat to Westbrook.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Dec 11th 2014 bottle, opened Jun 28th 2015
A - Awesome pour. Thick black body with almost no highlights. Dark khaki head with ok retention and lace.
S - I'm in love with this nose. Great balance and definition. Coconut, chocolate, Whoppers, Coco Pebbles, toasted almonds, vanilla milk, and marzipan.
T - Oh my. Absolutely delicious. Outstanding integration and balance with extraordinary flavor definition. Chocolate ganache, toasted coconut, sweetened condensed milk, Baileys Irish Cream, hazelnut, and medium roast coffee. Fantastic depth through the finish.
M - Smooth, creamy fully body. Nice staying power.
O - A beautiful beer. Tip-o'-the-hat to Westbrook.
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4.07/5 rDev -4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
22 oz bomber poured into a duvel tulip style glass. Liquid comes out a dark fudgey brown that's close to black. Doesn't even have much in the way of highlights a really dark beer. Dark brown colored cap that works its way up to the top with kind of a nitro effect. Unfortunately not much in the way of lacing, but a ring forms around the edged that stays.
Smells awesome very sweet and decadent. Plenty of sweet and bitter chocolate. The star of the show is the coconut here. Maybe some feint almond but slightly boozy so tough to tell.
Tastes good, it's very rich and sweet. Strong grain bill here. Chocolate flavors are provided by both the grains and the coco it's aged on. Slight vanilla and almond. Good coconut flavors here. Not super coconut but pretty strong.
Mouthfeel is good no doubt full bodied with a long lingering flavor. Good carbonation level no real bite from the carbonation but a slight but from booziness. Creamy with a sweet flow that ends with a slight earthy bitter finish. Not the most drinkable beer in the world because it's so sweet but it's still pretty darn drinkable however this one is designed to be shared or a very slow supper. Well done overall. Westbrook continues to impress.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
22 oz bomber poured into a duvel tulip style glass. Liquid comes out a dark fudgey brown that's close to black. Doesn't even have much in the way of highlights a really dark beer. Dark brown colored cap that works its way up to the top with kind of a nitro effect. Unfortunately not much in the way of lacing, but a ring forms around the edged that stays.
Smells awesome very sweet and decadent. Plenty of sweet and bitter chocolate. The star of the show is the coconut here. Maybe some feint almond but slightly boozy so tough to tell.
Tastes good, it's very rich and sweet. Strong grain bill here. Chocolate flavors are provided by both the grains and the coco it's aged on. Slight vanilla and almond. Good coconut flavors here. Not super coconut but pretty strong.
Mouthfeel is good no doubt full bodied with a long lingering flavor. Good carbonation level no real bite from the carbonation but a slight but from booziness. Creamy with a sweet flow that ends with a slight earthy bitter finish. Not the most drinkable beer in the world because it's so sweet but it's still pretty darn drinkable however this one is designed to be shared or a very slow supper. Well done overall. Westbrook continues to impress.
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4.04/5 rDev -4.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The look and smell are really nice, but the lack of coconut and balance in this one knocks it down a peg or two for me. It's still a nice beer and I'm glad to have a few more for later.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The look and smell are really nice, but the lack of coconut and balance in this one knocks it down a peg or two for me. It's still a nice beer and I'm glad to have a few more for later.
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3.44/5 rDev -18.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Type: 22-oz. bottle
Glass: 26th annual Karl Strauss snifter glass
From: Beer Advocate’s SteveB24
Price: N/A
Purchased: N/A; Received on Feb. 7, 2015
Consumed: June 20, 2015
Misc.: Bottled on Dec. 11, 2014
Thanks Steve!
Poured a pitch black color with just one finger of dark tan, rocky head. Lots of carbonated bubbles on the sides of the glass, which thinned out after a few minutes. Below average spots of lacing on the sides of the glass. Poor retention. (Sight - 3.25)
First thought on the nose was, ‘what the hell is this?’ Then realized it was almonds, nuts and coconut. Also got artificial chocolate, cocoa nibs, vanilla, glue, roasty malts and boozy alcohol. (Smell - 3.50)
Taste followed the nose. Got boozy alcohol up front, then toasted coconut, almonds, nuts, artificial chocolate, artificial vanilla, cocoa nibs, glue, crayon and light coffee beans. Not really digging it. (Taste - 3.25)
Full body. Creamy texture. Average carbonation. Long, boozy finish, It did get better as it went down though. (Feel - 4.00)
As much as I wanted to, I just didn’t like this beer. It all just didn’t mesh. (Overall - 3.50)
3.44 | 78 | B-
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look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Type: 22-oz. bottle
Glass: 26th annual Karl Strauss snifter glass
From: Beer Advocate’s SteveB24
Price: N/A
Purchased: N/A; Received on Feb. 7, 2015
Consumed: June 20, 2015
Misc.: Bottled on Dec. 11, 2014
Thanks Steve!
Poured a pitch black color with just one finger of dark tan, rocky head. Lots of carbonated bubbles on the sides of the glass, which thinned out after a few minutes. Below average spots of lacing on the sides of the glass. Poor retention. (Sight - 3.25)
First thought on the nose was, ‘what the hell is this?’ Then realized it was almonds, nuts and coconut. Also got artificial chocolate, cocoa nibs, vanilla, glue, roasty malts and boozy alcohol. (Smell - 3.50)
Taste followed the nose. Got boozy alcohol up front, then toasted coconut, almonds, nuts, artificial chocolate, artificial vanilla, cocoa nibs, glue, crayon and light coffee beans. Not really digging it. (Taste - 3.25)
Full body. Creamy texture. Average carbonation. Long, boozy finish, It did get better as it went down though. (Feel - 4.00)
As much as I wanted to, I just didn’t like this beer. It all just didn’t mesh. (Overall - 3.50)
3.44 | 78 | B-
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4.4/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A bomber poured into a snifter. Bottled on 12/11/14, and until now I see it says explicitly on the bottle to not age or cellar. Looks like I'll be enjoying my 2nd bottle soon too. Tar black, with tan bubbles along the edges. Lacing is good.
Aroma is excellent, toasted almonds, dark chocolate, banana notes, vanilla.
The taste largely mimics the aroma. It tastes and smells a lot like a chocolate banana milkshake. The coconut is there and so is the vanilla. So many flavors are present in this unique stout.
Good carbonation.
I hope they bring this back in some capacity.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A bomber poured into a snifter. Bottled on 12/11/14, and until now I see it says explicitly on the bottle to not age or cellar. Looks like I'll be enjoying my 2nd bottle soon too. Tar black, with tan bubbles along the edges. Lacing is good.
Aroma is excellent, toasted almonds, dark chocolate, banana notes, vanilla.
The taste largely mimics the aroma. It tastes and smells a lot like a chocolate banana milkshake. The coconut is there and so is the vanilla. So many flavors are present in this unique stout.
Good carbonation.
I hope they bring this back in some capacity.
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4.41/5 rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Bottles shared by Yanik and Darrell. Thanks guys.
Black, opaque body with a quarter inch of dense, beige cap. As described, vanilla, almonds, cocoa, chocolate, roast. Absolutely delicious. A beautiful marriage of flavors. Coconut and vanilla lead the way, with a biscotti character entering soon after. Graceful sweetness that could never become cloying. Medium body with graceful carbonation. Excellent.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Bottles shared by Yanik and Darrell. Thanks guys.
Black, opaque body with a quarter inch of dense, beige cap. As described, vanilla, almonds, cocoa, chocolate, roast. Absolutely delicious. A beautiful marriage of flavors. Coconut and vanilla lead the way, with a biscotti character entering soon after. Graceful sweetness that could never become cloying. Medium body with graceful carbonation. Excellent.
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4.25/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Heavy stout flavor to this beer. Chocolate and almond flavors are lighter, but blend well into this stout. Really didn't taste the coconut. Really solid stout.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Heavy stout flavor to this beer. Chocolate and almond flavors are lighter, but blend well into this stout. Really didn't taste the coconut. Really solid stout.
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4.88/5 rDev +15.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Poured from a bomber into my Yeti stout glass.
A: pours thick chestnut almost black color. There is no head in the pour until the end when a thin tan head appears. The lacing clings to the glass after each sip.
S: Roasty malts chocolate and a hint of alcohol
T: Wow The roasted malts are up front. But there is chocolate coconut and nuttiness There is some alcohol taste and it blends nicely
MF: Coats the mouth as you sip it. Slight alcohol burn. The flavor profile changes in waves.
O: Wow. This is phenomenal a knock my socks off beer. Cheers to the Brewers at Westbrook
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Poured from a bomber into my Yeti stout glass.
A: pours thick chestnut almost black color. There is no head in the pour until the end when a thin tan head appears. The lacing clings to the glass after each sip.
S: Roasty malts chocolate and a hint of alcohol
T: Wow The roasted malts are up front. But there is chocolate coconut and nuttiness There is some alcohol taste and it blends nicely
MF: Coats the mouth as you sip it. Slight alcohol burn. The flavor profile changes in waves.
O: Wow. This is phenomenal a knock my socks off beer. Cheers to the Brewers at Westbrook
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3.87/5 rDev -8.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Poured from 650 ml bomber into snifter.
A- poured black with thin almond-colored head. Slight lace/retention
S- get some milk chocolate along with a bit dark bitter chocolate. Pretty good roasted malt aroma with a slight alcohol presence.
T- roasty chocolate flavor but not getting any coconut. Slight almond-like nuttiness and a mild bitter finish.
M- heavy-medium feel, good carb not much heat from 10% abv.
O- solid imperial stout but a bit underwhelming considering I was hoping for more of a coconut presence. Without that, I just found it to be an average Imp Stout.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Poured from 650 ml bomber into snifter.
A- poured black with thin almond-colored head. Slight lace/retention
S- get some milk chocolate along with a bit dark bitter chocolate. Pretty good roasted malt aroma with a slight alcohol presence.
T- roasty chocolate flavor but not getting any coconut. Slight almond-like nuttiness and a mild bitter finish.
M- heavy-medium feel, good carb not much heat from 10% abv.
O- solid imperial stout but a bit underwhelming considering I was hoping for more of a coconut presence. Without that, I just found it to be an average Imp Stout.
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4.09/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22oz bottle poured into a snifter
A- pours pitch black in color with a small creamy dark brown head that reduces to a thin film floating on top, lot of alcohol legs
S- heavy charred malt with some smoky aromas mixing with dark chocolate up front, caramel malt, I am picking up some toasted coconut aroma, but it's faint. Light nutty aromas with some sweet lactose-chocolate milk to close it out
T- loads of bitter-sweet dark chocolate up front, quickly followed by heavy char, vanilla & caramel. I detect light coconut, but probably wouldn't have unless I knew to look for it. Some toasted nutty flavors lead to more chocolate and char on the finish, with a linger of coffee
M- medium body with medium-low carbonation leads to a slightly foamy mouthfeel that continues into a warming finish
O- a solid heavy stout, but I had trouble picking out some of the adjuncts at times
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
22oz bottle poured into a snifter
A- pours pitch black in color with a small creamy dark brown head that reduces to a thin film floating on top, lot of alcohol legs
S- heavy charred malt with some smoky aromas mixing with dark chocolate up front, caramel malt, I am picking up some toasted coconut aroma, but it's faint. Light nutty aromas with some sweet lactose-chocolate milk to close it out
T- loads of bitter-sweet dark chocolate up front, quickly followed by heavy char, vanilla & caramel. I detect light coconut, but probably wouldn't have unless I knew to look for it. Some toasted nutty flavors lead to more chocolate and char on the finish, with a linger of coffee
M- medium body with medium-low carbonation leads to a slightly foamy mouthfeel that continues into a warming finish
O- a solid heavy stout, but I had trouble picking out some of the adjuncts at times
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4.79/5 rDev +13%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
This was one of the best stouts I've ever had I let it warm up and wasn't disappointed. Tastes of almonds, coconuts, chocolate so smooth the 10% ABV was a perfect amount to make this so smooth and delicious. I wish I had another. :(
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
This was one of the best stouts I've ever had I let it warm up and wasn't disappointed. Tastes of almonds, coconuts, chocolate so smooth the 10% ABV was a perfect amount to make this so smooth and delicious. I wish I had another. :(
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4.08/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
On tap at The Distillery, Savannah, GA.
Sure looks like a deep, dark imperial stout. Not much head though.
Milk chocolate, vanilla bean when colder. Macaroons, chocolate covered coconut, chocolate milk, vanilla extract, and some booze when it warms.
Rich, chocolate covered coconut. Isn't all coconut rich? There's a bit of warmth at the end. Amaretto as well.
Thin and definitely under carbonated. Would benefit from a few more bubbles. Thin and sweet.
Very tasty. All the extra components come through in tasty ways.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
On tap at The Distillery, Savannah, GA.
Sure looks like a deep, dark imperial stout. Not much head though.
Milk chocolate, vanilla bean when colder. Macaroons, chocolate covered coconut, chocolate milk, vanilla extract, and some booze when it warms.
Rich, chocolate covered coconut. Isn't all coconut rich? There's a bit of warmth at the end. Amaretto as well.
Thin and definitely under carbonated. Would benefit from a few more bubbles. Thin and sweet.
Very tasty. All the extra components come through in tasty ways.
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4.11/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
From my visit to Charleston, SC a few weeks ago. Had a lot of this as I ordered a glass under a different name, then bought a bottle of the same damn beer later on.
Pours a dark brown, almost black color, with two inches of dark tan head and low carbonation evident. Tons of chocolate, milk chocolate, roasted malts, some cream, toasted notes, bread, some light alcohol in the taste, macaroons. Very nice nose, lots going on. Thick and syrupy, low carbonation.
Overall a good stout with a great nose; worth checking out for sure.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
From my visit to Charleston, SC a few weeks ago. Had a lot of this as I ordered a glass under a different name, then bought a bottle of the same damn beer later on.
Pours a dark brown, almost black color, with two inches of dark tan head and low carbonation evident. Tons of chocolate, milk chocolate, roasted malts, some cream, toasted notes, bread, some light alcohol in the taste, macaroons. Very nice nose, lots going on. Thick and syrupy, low carbonation.
Overall a good stout with a great nose; worth checking out for sure.
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4th Anniversary from Westbrook Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
4.24 out of
5 with
554 ratings
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