Baller Stout
3 Floyds Brewing Co.

Baller StoutBaller Stout
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From:
3 Floyds Brewing Co.
 
Indiana, United States
Style:
Russian Imperial Stout
ABV:
13.8%
Score:
94
Avg:
4.25 | pDev: 11.53%
Reviews:
138
Ratings:
764
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jul 31, 2019
Added:
Nov 12, 2011
Wants:
  357
Gots:
  429
Three Floyds’ 15th Anniversary beer. A blend of Dark Lord, Surly Darkness, De Struise Black Albert, and Mikkeller Beer Geek Brunch.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by tectactoe:
Photo of tectactoe
Reviewed by tectactoe from Michigan

3.94/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thanks to Chris for bringing this one to our tasting - it was something I never thought I'd try. Pours a dark, dark brown color with a fading, tan-colored head that doesn't stick around too long before it recedes to nothing but a thin skin cap.

As I first bring my nose to the glass, I'm getting a weird aroma that was hard for be to pinpoint at first, but upon further sniffing, I've come to the conclusion that it was: beef jerky. That's right, I get some serious beef jerky-like aroma off the top of the nose from this thing. Slightly smokey and robust with maybe a touch of spice. Big roasted malts full out the edges, along with some light cocoa beans. Some woody-oak and vanilla aromas don't come through much until the beer warms up a bit, but then they really start to break through. Light sweetness is detectable, but it's slightly overshadowed by the somewhat harsh roast.

The taste hits bit with some sharp coffee and cocoa - dense and seemingly packed with concentrated flavor. The front end is mildly sweet, but it transforms quickly into a more bitter and roasted flavor as the malts grow from quiet to loud within seconds. No beef jerky on the palate, per se, but I swear I'm still getting it in the aroma. Out comes a light heat, almost like a chili pepper spice, although I really don't "taste" chilies - my tongue is just picking up the tingling sensation as though they are there.

The alcohol is a bit subdued at first but gets much, much stronger over the course of this beer. Sweetness comes in noticeably but tame enough to be enjoyable; molasses, light syrup, and some dark fruits are the main contributors. The aftertaste is dominated by an ashy, charred flavor - perhaps this is where my nose was picking up the beef jerky from? Medium-thick body, slick and a touch oily on the palate coming in on the lower end of the carbonation scale.

Certainly glad I got to try this one, although I don't feel it was all it was cracked up to be. Definitely some uniqueness to it, regarding the smokiness and the serious beef jerky notes my nose was picking up. Is it just me who was getting that? Either way, tasty beer, but probably not worth what it took to get it. Thanks again to Chris, though - I'm glad to say I had the chance to experience this one.
Feb 25, 2013
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.22 by Ristaccia from Nebraska

Jul 31, 2019
 
Rated: 4.15 by emerge077 from Illinois

Jun 14, 2019
 
Rated: 4.56 by cd34 from Illinois

Sep 06, 2018
 
Rated: 4.19 by Gambyt20 from Illinois

Aug 11, 2018
 
Rated: 3.7 by jheimbigner from Washington

Aug 06, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by Pearlstreetbrewingco from Florida

Jun 21, 2017
 
Rated: 4.35 by axf4129 from Indiana

May 08, 2017
 
Rated: 3.76 by RPM3334 from South Carolina

Apr 15, 2017
 
Rated: 5 by Sean32 from Pennsylvania

Mar 20, 2017
Photo of Marius
Reviewed by Marius from Netherlands

4/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle shared at Klooster. Pitch black with a thin tan head. Notes of roasted coffee, chocolate, macerated cherries, sherry, bitter fruit, alcohol. Full bodied, bitter and sour finish.
Jan 03, 2017
 
Rated: 4.56 by SayBoom from Ukraine

Dec 31, 2016
 
Rated: 4.02 by Docrock from Illinois

Dec 23, 2016
Photo of GuyFawkes
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois

4.87/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
2011 vintage; drank 5/20/14 @ Yuss Haus.

Poured from the bottle into a glass.

Black hue.

Dark tan head; minimal lace.

Dark cherry & candle wax nose.

Thick mouthfeel.

Dark cherry, fresh earth & bakers chocolate flavors, melded perfectly. A masterpiece of dark flavors; complex & delicious.
Nov 25, 2016
 
Rated: 4.17 by pisano from Massachusetts

Nov 08, 2016
 
Rated: 4.42 by Warren2621 from Indiana

Jul 25, 2016
 
Rated: 4.29 by TboneRN from Minnesota

Jul 03, 2016
Photo of rodbeermunch
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

3.43/5  rDev -19.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
This was one of those beers that the sum of its parts was less than them individually. I just didn't like the blend, too dark fruit hot bitter alcohol came through.

Looked like Dark Lord, thick, black, viscous. Smelled like super charred roast and dark fruits, too much ibus, too much hops. They took some of the hard to swallow parts of these beers and amped 'em up.
Jul 01, 2016
 
Rated: 4.24 by mdaschaf from Indiana

Jun 24, 2016
 
Rated: 3.74 by Bammer21 from Illinois

Jun 01, 2016
Baller Stout from 3 Floyds Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 94 out of 100 with 764 ratings