Gingerbread Stout
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

PSYCLST from Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +2.3%
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 -4.8%
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 -4.8%
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 -11.3%
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 +0.5%
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 +7.6%
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 +0.5%
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 +2.5%
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 -5.3%
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 -8.1%
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%
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 -3.5%
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 -8.1%
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: Milk / 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 -6.7%
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 -12.5%
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 -9.2%
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

Bum4ever from California

4.11/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Look: Dark black with a good amount of dark tan head that hangs around for awhile
Smell: I am getting a bunch of ginger, some honey, chocolate and a hint of cinnamon.
Taste: Served too cold at first, I am getting mostly a ginger flavor. As it warms the flavor rounds out nicely with cinnamon, chocolate, spice and a slight ginger finish.
Feel: Medium to full bodied with a nice smooth creaminess. Good amount of carbonation.
Overall: Super enjoyable milk stout

Jan 07, 2019

Hyptochrons from Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

warm cinnamon and nutmeg quality, a clean ginger note, sugary, spices definitely invoke memories of Christmas. some hints at vanilla and roasty throughout, a creamy chocolate flavor presenting as well but overall the spice and ginger qualities are predominant, which really works for the style.

Jan 02, 2019

MoMaMe from Maryland

3.26/5  rDev -24.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25

Perhaps I got a bad batch or spoiled bottle, because I'm really surprised at how high of a rating this stout has gotten. I was really looking forward to this beer, especially after reading the reviews, and was sorely disappointed. Even beyond saying this was just "okay," I actually disliked this beer. I would like to try it again, however, to see if this bottle got somehow ruined by time/transport/heat/etc. Bottling was on 10-18-18 and I drank it 12-26-18.

Color: pours very dark with a very nice, generous foamy head
Smell: metallic, nutmeg, molasses, with a sourness
Taste: Alcohol and spice with a sour aftertaste. Hints of cinnamon and nutmeg follow.

Overall, I'm very disappointed in this one. However, being that most of the reviews have given this beer an outstanding rating, I'd be curious to try it again... perhaps the truck that delivered them got overheated.. not sure.

Dec 26, 2018

Lingenbrau from Oregon

4.28/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Huge thanks to Craig for this special hand delivered gift.

Gingerbread Stout is a beautiful beer, and just what you'd imagine it to be. Black as a lump of coal but with exceptional clarity. The tanned head above resembling the baked sweets color it was named after. It recedes leaving little spots and a blank surface which in this case reflected the background fire magically.

Chocolate and spices ascend from the glass. A touch of roasted coffee with a dash of cinnamon. With some time, brown sugar and fruit cake give promise for a sweet indulgence.

Once again, chocolate and spices are the driving force behind Gingerbread Stout. An estery finish along with anise, cardomom, and a general stone fruit give this a Belgian stout-like sensation. Ginger and clove add to the long list of spices, but none are in abundance. Just a tingle to lightly cut through the sweet milk chocolatey base.

A moderate feel with a touch of creaminess, with that aforementioned tingle of spices on the finish. The sweetness is balanced by that spice along with a smooth roastiness.

Once received, this was an obvious choice for my daughter to leave out for Santa on Christmas Eve. The bottle was empty in the morning which could only mean he happily approved.

Cheers!

Dec 26, 2018

oberon from North Carolina

4.22/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Pours more of a dark cola color with a thinner but well retained with a deep ginger bread colored head atop.Ginger and underlying cinnamon stick out most in the nose,ginger really comes thru as it warms.Nice subtle complexities on the palate,starting out with a tinge of vanilla,then bitter chocolate,the ginger is less pronounced on the palate then the nose but that's a good thing here,a shot of roast/char comes in and lingers in the finish.The creamy texture is spot on for the flavor profile,a really nice holiday stout.

Dec 20, 2018

JamFuel from Sweden

4.49/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Churchkey in D.C.

Pours a very dark brown with fine, chocolate colored foam.

Smell is rich and sweet, with notes of ginger, chocolate, coffee and cinnamon.

Taste is slightly roasty with cinnamon, coffee and chocolate dominating with some puffs of ginger here and there. Very luxurious and rich.

Mouthfeel is full and smooth, well carbonated.

Overall, a really nice, Christmasy stout.

Dec 09, 2018

jpkand from Virginia

4.29/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

It's a beautiful looking deep black with dark chai latte foamy head. I can only get hints of brown on the edges when holding to the light. Smell is a little oaky with baker's chocolate. A whiff of alcohol esters on the end.

It tastes like Christmas--dark, brooding flavors of vanilla, chocolate, and sweetness. Definitely wait a while between sips bc the after taste is great and varies. The warmth of the alcohol and gingerbread develops slowly and lingers nicely.

Body is more medium plus, but the smooth carbonation makes it seem fuller--like you can almost chew it

Overall, I think this is going to move to the top of the list for winter seasonals that I'll look forward to. Great beer!

Dec 02, 2018

RyanPoff from Indiana

4.06/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

On tap in Raleigh.

A: Dark brown to almost black - like cola. Can barely see through it.

S: hints of sugar, molasses, ginger.

T: Aside from the leading ginger, this ha as very malty, nutty taste more typical of a brown. As the beer warms, some
Esters and more ginger comes out on the back.

M: this was just tapped within a week, so incredibly fresh and popping.

Nov 25, 2018

FriedSlug from North Carolina

4.21/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Jet black beer with a brown head that quickly retreats to the edge of the glass. The aroma is pure ginger with some roasty, sweet malt. Sweet up front with a lot of ginger and roasted malt that brings a little coffee and chocolate. Molasses bitterness balances it all out. Very tasty.

Nov 17, 2018