Gingerbread Stout
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

shigg85 from Japan

4.5/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

So much chocolate, vanilla, honey, cinnamon, and malt in this. Velvety smooth and delicious. This has been one of my white whales, and I'm so glad I finally captured it. Delicious!

Feb 22, 2021

mushroomcloud from Texas

4.04/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

16oz canned 10-26-20, opened 2-19-21.
3 finger beige head with amazing retention.
Black core with some dark brown edges. Spotty, slippery lacing.
Perfumey ginger and honey. Floral note that seems a bot out of place.
Spicy ginger, cinnamon, vanilla comes on midway to late. Roasted malt is apparent but is underneath the adjuncts.
All advertised flavors are present and accounted for.
Full body, smooth and velvety mouthfeel with low + carbonation. Lengthy, lightly roasty and sweet finish.
Very Good to Outstanding.

Feb 20, 2021

keithmurray from Connecticut

4.35/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance - dark mahogany body with tan head

Smell - chocolate, vanilla, ginger, cinnamon

Taste - chocolate, cinnamon, ginger, honey, vanilla

Mouthfeel - medium plus bodied, medium carbonation, sweetness upfront from the chocolate, cinnamon comes next followed by the ginger

Overall - this is a nice stout, although on the sweeter side. I would drink this again next holiday season

Price Point - $15.99/4 pk 16 oz cans

Jan 16, 2021

LiquidAmber from Washington

4.49/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a Fremont small snifter. Pours a very dark mahogany brown, appearing nearly opaque black in the glass with a half finger dark khaki head with great retention and nice lacing. Aroma of dark toasted malt, cinnamon, cocoa, vanilla, lactose and light ginger. Flavor is dark, lightly toasted malt, ginger, vanilla, cinnamon, lactose and milk chocolate. Gingerbread and dark malt finish. Medium bodied with moderate creaminess. Well, this stout sounded a little over-the-top for me, even as a pastry stout fan, but I was wrong to be skeptical. It really does deliver an close to authentic gingerbread cookie flavor, but excellently supported by the underlying malt. The mouth feel is silky and creamy, with clear oat character. The finish has just the right touch of cinnamon and ginger to linger, but not intrude. One of the best pastry stouts I've had. I could easily make this a holiday standard.

Jan 07, 2021

firesidewithphil from Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -19%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Gingerbread Stout has a ton of ginger and is the most prevalent flavor. It also has a molasses profile even though it is not listed as one of the main ingredients. The spice is a bit too much to out this one higher.

IG: @firesidewithphil

Jan 03, 2021

basaywhat from Illinois

4.52/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

16 oz can. Pours a very dark brown with a brown head. Cinnamon and light ginger aroma with caramel and spice. Ginger and toffee flavor with spice. Medium bodied. Ginger and toffee linger with light molasses and spice.

Dec 26, 2020

DanBrenda from Washington

4.93/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Ordered from Tavour and poured into a pint glass (should had been poured into a snifter but whatever).

Look: dark (almost black), very small head, little lacing
Smell: roast, ginger bread (cookie), honey, small spice (cinnamon?)
Taste: front end sweet stout, mid taste we get intense honey, backend we get gingerbread cookie and far trailing end we get roast and a bit of booze.
Feel: full mouthfeel, a bit of carbonation and then bittering end notes give a bit drying on the end feel

We are from Portland OR area and lived in Virginia for a while. We love Hardywood. They are very creative and fun. This beer is interesting because it is intense honey with gingerbread cookie; and full mouthfeel probably from the lactose. There is not intense vanilla or cinnamon, but the flavors profile is all gingerbread cookie mid drink, exactly what it says. It is a 9.2 ABV but they hide it well for those that are not big boozy beer drinkers.

Dec 21, 2020

UWDAWG from Washington

3.81/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a 16 ounce can into a snifter at 45 degrees per can.

Look- Black, medium brown frothy head, average head retention and lacing.

Smell- Ginger, cinnamon, vanilla.

Taste- Ginger, vanilla, ginger and sweet honey finish.

Feel- Medium body, slightly mouth coating, creamy, below average carbonation.

Overall- Good, but reminds me more of root beer than gingerbread.

Dec 21, 2020

BillAfromSoCal from California

4.06/5  rDev -6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

16 oz can purchased 11/20/20 off room temp shelf for $3.75 at Trader Joes. Canned on date of 10/1/2020.Can states Imperial milk stout with cinnamon, vanilla, ginger, and honey. Poured into the stemmed tulip glass as recommended on the can. Not black...very deep mahogany. Trivial amount of head disappears almost completely within 30 seconds. No lacing. Basically nothing in the appearance that is enticing. Almost no smell at all (conformed by wife as second opinion), including when it warmed up to almost room temp. However, the taste is very good; exactly as described on the can with good balance among all the flavors. Not any overpowering fake gingerbread flavor. Considering the disappointing looks and smell, the flavor is top notch. The feel is quite nice with a creamier feel than you would guess based on the appearance. Overall a great flavor/good feel if you want that flavor profile, but just not worthy of high points in looks or smell. Certainly cannot see how this got a "world class" rating.

Nov 22, 2020

PSYCLST from Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Very dark with sweet smell with depth. Taste matches the smell and is balanced winter stout due the tasty blend of vanilla, ginger and cinnamon. Excellent overall and ages well.

Apr 29, 2020

bret27 from California

4.12/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle courtesy of appearanceswc.
Much gratitude!
Appearance: black. Thick brown head.
Smell: gingerbread, vanilla, cookies,
Taste: vanilla, gingerbread cookie, wood, malt, milk, cereal, bread, root beer. As it warms more and more flavors show up.
Feel: medium to full. Smooth, slight burn.
Overall: nice interpretation of the style, especially with fairly high abv. A little sweet for my personal preference, but appropriate for what it is.

Apr 20, 2020

daliandragon from Maryland

4.12/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

This one has been hanging around the fridge since last year. Pours big and impressive, with a dark tan head and jet black body. There is a slight snap of ginger among the roasted coffee tones and de riguer hop balancing act that is the nose.

Intense sugary lactose and chocolate buzz throughout the sip. Plenty of Christmas spices...vanilla, cinammon etc. The texture is thick but relatively smooth, particularly in the finish. Quite a bit going on here and it mostly hits the mark, although I do find it a bit cloying in the middle before rounding out in the aftertaste. Good effort, at any rate.

Mar 09, 2020

patre_tim from Thailand

3.84/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dark brown, almost black, but no visible carbonation and a finger of deep brown beige head.

Smells like a stout. Not really getting any gingerbread notes.

The taste is sweet of molasses, with very little hint of ginger and spices.

Thick body with smooth carbonation.

Got this at Trader Joe’s and I’m drinking it January 1, 2020.

Jan 02, 2020

bobv from Vermont

4.35/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

750 ml. bottle rec'd in a trade before my hard drive crash about 6-7 years ago.
No date on bottle but I'm guessing 2011-2012 Vintage? Moderate pour yields a one inch tan head over a very dark brown body with sticky lacing. Nose of dark roasted malt, chocolate, and spices including cinnamon, vanilla, and ginger. As it warms to suggested ideal drinking temperature of 55° F, the ginger really takes over on the nose and the palate. Flavors include aforementioned chocolate, vanilla, and cinnamon with a hint of honey, but the ginger spanks them into submission especially on the finish. Nice velvety feel from the proper use of lactose and overall, what a treat to finally crack one of these from a 4-pack of two glasses and two bottles from so long ago.
Cheers and Happy Holidays!!!

Dec 30, 2019

nick_perry from North Carolina

4.66/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Pours like motor oil, just the way I like it. Black color with a thin brown head which quickly dissipates. Strong scent of gingerbread and spice while pouring. I wish the ginger were a bit stronger, but that’s just personal pickiness, and it’s an outstanding beer regardless. Rich, creamy mouthfeel. Well structured. Notes of ginger and spice. Some sweetness and hints of leather towards the finish.

Dec 03, 2019

Mikemcgrath4 from North Carolina

4.35/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Very interesting and unique winter beer. As many have said, it tastes like a literal gingerbread cookie. Awesome. Pours think and dark head. I will have another.

Nov 12, 2019

EnderFett11 from Virginia

4.44/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Dark brown color, decent head that doesn't completely fade. Dark brown coffee color. Smells malty and a hint of gingerbread. Medium to heavy mouthfeel with light carbonation. Tastes only faintly of gingerbread, but good malt flavor.

Nov 10, 2019

Newbeergeek1 from Maine

4.1/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This brewery is known to me as a fine one but not available generally so when I saw this at a local store I tried it. Not generally something, with gingerbread, that I was wildly enthusiastic about but, based on the brewery, what the heck. Really glad I did because it’s a delightful seasonal brew and that surprised me. I don’t normally go for the seasonal, especially the pumpkin stuff, but this was different. I will get a couple of more of these and share with friends. Well done. Bomber size and it’s definitely to be shared. As good as it is it isn’t a beer I would drink a bomber at a sitting.

Nov 10, 2019

mntlover from Tennessee

3.98/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Pours a fairly black with a thumb sized tan head.

Aroma is big on spice ginger and cinnamon dominate my nose. Light roasted notes, some light chocolate mixed with vanilla.

Taste is like the nose roasted malts stout flavors are underneath all the spice again cinnamon and ginger dominate atleast for me. Some lighter chocolate and vanilla mingled in. To me pretty one sided brew not getting why people love it so much.

Mouhfeel is only big medium, seems little thin for a big stout.

Overall is ok, is not bad might be good for a Christmas beer, certainly would not call this World-Class.

Oct 06, 2019

zotzot from Vermont

4.46/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Dark dark brown red, opaque
Thin whisky stout head
Strong strong stout nose
I’m not catching the ginger or gingerbread - overwhelmed by the dark malt and strong alchohol
But


Very nice nonetheless for a snowy evening in Vermont

Mar 22, 2019

EMH73 from New York

4.18/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured black with a quarter inch tan head that dissipated quickly and left little lacing. Smells of roasted malts, dark chocolate, ginger and cinnamon. Taste follows the nose with additional flavors of vanilla, caramel, molasses, nutmeg and coffee. Creamy mouth feel, full bodied, light carbonation.

Mar 06, 2019

BucannonXC5 from California

3.98/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Type: 500-ml. bottle
Glass: Pure Project 16-oz. snifter glass
From: Trader Joe’s in College Area (San Diego, Calif.)
Price: $5.99
Purchased: Jan. 11, 2019
Consumed: Jan. 11, 2019
Reviewed as: Double Milk / Sweet Stout
Misc.: No bottled on date

Had been wanting to try this for a while and surprise, surprise I found it at a Trader Joe’s for $5.99. Had first saw it the week before in Santa Barbara, but didn’t pull the trigger (which was stupid when I now think about it). Grabbed it the next time I saw it again in San Diego. Description was, “Brewed with baby ginger from Casselmonte Farm and wildflower honey from Bearer Farms, Hardywood Gingerbread Stout captures the terroir of central Virginia in a rich, creamy libation with a velvety mouthfeel and an intriguing evolution of flavors from milk chocolate and vanilla to honeycomb and cinnamon to a snap of ginger in the finish. Deep, dark chocolate in color with a mahogany tint and a frothy, caramel colored head, Hardywood Gingerbread Stout offers aromatics of holiday spice originating from the ginger, and balanced with a generous dose of whole Madagascar bourbon vanilla beans and Vietnamese cinnamon. Milk sugar (lactose) contributes to the full body of this stout and tames its roasty character, while oats lend a silky quality. Enjoy fresh, or cellar for a special occasion. We hope Hardywood Gingerbread Stout contributes to your merriment this season.” Damn that was long, but informing.

Poured a pitch black color with three fingers of khaki-tan rocky-to-frothy head. Some bubbles coming up along the sides of the glass. Good spotty lacing. Excellent retention. (Sight - 4.25)

Smelled ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, molasses, clove, menthol, honey graham cracker and boozy wintry spice. A little brown sugar from the bottle, which adds to it. (Smell - 3.75)

Tasted better than the nose, but still underwhelming overall. Got ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, molasses, wintry spice, honey graham cracker, pumpkin pie crust, vanilla, hints of milk chocolate, caramel, espresso and cacao. (Taste - 4.00)

Full body. Creamy-to-sticky texture. Average carbonation. Long, spicy finish. (Feel - 4.25)

Really liked this beer overall, but I have to admit was not as good as I was hoping it would be. Still solid and damn good value for $5.99. (Overall - 4.00)

3.98 | 89 | B+

Feb 20, 2019

stortore from Illinois

4.04/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

22 ounce bottle into a snifter. 2017 edition. Had 5/25/18.

Pours a dark brown, opaque, with a half inch foamy head and some slick, foamy lacing. Aromas of roasted malt, chocolate, vanilla, cocoa, some toffee and cinnamon, light ginger and caramel. Flavors of roasted malt, honey, chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla, ginger- which shows mostly in the aftertaste, some caramel, light smoke. Smooth, creamy, a very good full body, well carbonated.

I’ve heard this was kind of a down year, but even with that, I’m still a little disappointed. Very good base stout, the cinnamon shows more than the ginger and vanilla. Needs to be fully warmed for best results. It’s certainly good, but seems to be rated a bit high to me. Have another bottle, maybe I’ll be less crabby about that one. Worth a purchase at a good price point.

Feb 19, 2019

Beersnake1 from California

3.79/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Poured from fridge temp. Pours jet black with quickly dissipating light brown head. Nose is roasted malts, licorice, gingerbread, and vanilla. Taste is fairly smooth, with roasted malts, some burnt wood, licorice, ginger, lactose, and a touch of dark fruit. Mouthfeel is creamy and thick. Overall, not a bad stout, but nothing spectacular.

Feb 18, 2019

MikeWard from Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev -9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml bottle into a goblet. Packaged 11/1/17, so over 14 months old here.

Classic stout look to this beer. Big bad looking black as night body with an inch think head looking like a well done pancake on top. really nice lacing here.

Mild ginger aroma.

Well, much as I love ginger, and love stout, this particular combination, while not tasting unpleasant, to me tastes like thick alcoholic ginger ale. The other notes mentioned on the bottle, vanilla, honey, cinnamon, don't come through and it ends up being a bit one dimensional.

Mouth between medium and full, finish is ginger.

Overall, a bit disappointed, was expecting more from this beer.

Jan 21, 2019