Gingerbread Stout | Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
Brewed by:
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
Virginia, United States | website
Style: Milk / Sweet Stout
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 9.20%
Availability: Fall
Notes / Commercial Description:
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.
55 IBU
Added by TechTriumph on 12-08-2011
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 173 | Ratings: 1,331
4.35/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Part of my NBS BIF#3 package. It's been a longtime want and I'm glad to have ticked it off the list.
Pours a deep dark brown with a puffy light tan head. The fluffiness fades but leaves decent lacing around the glass as I drink it down. Smells like it's title! Gingerbread, ginger, clover honey, some vanilla, spices and maple. Liquid gingerbread in a glass. Nothing overpowers and everything plays nicely together. Nice spices and ginger, very well done. The mouthfeel is a bit lacking for me. While it is smooth and definitely drinkable, it needs a bigger body.
Overall, a unique stout that I am glad to have tried.
★ 630 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Part of my NBS BIF#3 package. It's been a longtime want and I'm glad to have ticked it off the list.
Pours a deep dark brown with a puffy light tan head. The fluffiness fades but leaves decent lacing around the glass as I drink it down. Smells like it's title! Gingerbread, ginger, clover honey, some vanilla, spices and maple. Liquid gingerbread in a glass. Nothing overpowers and everything plays nicely together. Nice spices and ginger, very well done. The mouthfeel is a bit lacking for me. While it is smooth and definitely drinkable, it needs a bigger body.
Overall, a unique stout that I am glad to have tried.
★ 630 characters
4.08/5 rDev -4.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a dark chocolate color. Aroma is ginger a touch of cinnamon and some booziness. Flavor follows the nose but ginger overpowers a little. The mouthfeel is a little thin but overall it's a pretty nice beer.
★ 209 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a dark chocolate color. Aroma is ginger a touch of cinnamon and some booziness. Flavor follows the nose but ginger overpowers a little. The mouthfeel is a little thin but overall it's a pretty nice beer.
★ 209 characters
3.98/5 rDev -7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
750ml corked and caged bottle into #properglassware. Shared with schen9303.
Extremely aromatic nose. Hints of ginger, sugar cookie, cinnamon, chocolate and lactose. Very sweet with a big dose of spice. Unique. Flavor starts off sweet. Gingerbread, sugar cookie, chocolate, cinnamon spice and other Christmas spices. Molasses in the back with a touch of booziness on the finish. This one's chewy on the palate. Thick, rich and dense with the slightest hint of bubbles but the spice component keeps it lively in the mouth. Finishes a bit hot but its welcome.
A great base beer for accepting additional flavors and I can see why Hardywood decides to do variations of this one.
★ 678 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
750ml corked and caged bottle into #properglassware. Shared with schen9303.
Extremely aromatic nose. Hints of ginger, sugar cookie, cinnamon, chocolate and lactose. Very sweet with a big dose of spice. Unique. Flavor starts off sweet. Gingerbread, sugar cookie, chocolate, cinnamon spice and other Christmas spices. Molasses in the back with a touch of booziness on the finish. This one's chewy on the palate. Thick, rich and dense with the slightest hint of bubbles but the spice component keeps it lively in the mouth. Finishes a bit hot but its welcome.
A great base beer for accepting additional flavors and I can see why Hardywood decides to do variations of this one.
★ 678 characters
4/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle from my cousin John B. What a way to cap the evening, nice full bodied stout, hints of gingerbread accent rather than overwhelm the roast grain base brew. Mildly sweet and spicy with a gentle warmth to finish things up.
★ 226 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle from my cousin John B. What a way to cap the evening, nice full bodied stout, hints of gingerbread accent rather than overwhelm the roast grain base brew. Mildly sweet and spicy with a gentle warmth to finish things up.
★ 226 characters
4.65/5 rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Out of a bottle into my tulip. Family hook up through my cousin Brandt!
A – Poured black as the Grinch’s heart with a touch of milk chocolate head that settled down nicely.
S – Ginger, molasses, vanilla, cream.
T – Well now it starts with ginger as one would expect. Follows with several flavors like vanilla bean, light coffee, honey, cinnamon and just a touch of malt. Has an ever so slight bitterness that is immediately squashed by a great cream flavor. It gives it a great light sweet finishing quality. You can taste the alcohol but barely.
M – Medium carbonation. Medium bodied. Smooth and clean on the palate.
O – Dynamite. The flavors of this brew blend perfectly together and actually nail the “gingerbread stout”. Many do not though they claim to be. This is a dangerous drinker as it’s so good you don’t get the alcohol.
★ 860 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Out of a bottle into my tulip. Family hook up through my cousin Brandt!
A – Poured black as the Grinch’s heart with a touch of milk chocolate head that settled down nicely.
S – Ginger, molasses, vanilla, cream.
T – Well now it starts with ginger as one would expect. Follows with several flavors like vanilla bean, light coffee, honey, cinnamon and just a touch of malt. Has an ever so slight bitterness that is immediately squashed by a great cream flavor. It gives it a great light sweet finishing quality. You can taste the alcohol but barely.
M – Medium carbonation. Medium bodied. Smooth and clean on the palate.
O – Dynamite. The flavors of this brew blend perfectly together and actually nail the “gingerbread stout”. Many do not though they claim to be. This is a dangerous drinker as it’s so good you don’t get the alcohol.
★ 860 characters
4.71/5 rDev +10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
L: Dark pour with thick tan head. Head stays as I drink it.
S: First smell is of course the ginger. Sweet smell
T: Taste as it smells. Nice spice in the ginger. Cookie taste as well. Full and sweet.
F: Good thickness coats the mouth. Warm taste that continues.
O: Great beer. Creatively made. Smells, tastes, reminds me of Christmas and everything that goes with it. The only way to improve on this is to try the Bourbon Barrel version which is also superb.
★ 472 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
L: Dark pour with thick tan head. Head stays as I drink it.
S: First smell is of course the ginger. Sweet smell
T: Taste as it smells. Nice spice in the ginger. Cookie taste as well. Full and sweet.
F: Good thickness coats the mouth. Warm taste that continues.
O: Great beer. Creatively made. Smells, tastes, reminds me of Christmas and everything that goes with it. The only way to improve on this is to try the Bourbon Barrel version which is also superb.
★ 472 characters
4.83/5 rDev +12.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
2014 vintage.
Poured from the cork and cage bottle into a Belgian tulip.
Smells like Christmas, tastes like Christmas, feels like Christmas. Lots of spices going on with this brew. I taste allspice dram type flavorsnfoing in here. This is basically Christmas day in a bottle. I love it!
★ 289 characters
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
2014 vintage.
Poured from the cork and cage bottle into a Belgian tulip.
Smells like Christmas, tastes like Christmas, feels like Christmas. Lots of spices going on with this brew. I taste allspice dram type flavorsnfoing in here. This is basically Christmas day in a bottle. I love it!
★ 289 characters
4.64/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
Poured gently at 50°F from a 750ml bottle into both a tulip and a Spiegelau stout glass and allowed to warm up to 55°F before consuming. A side by side comparison will be done between the two glasses.
LOOK: Tulip- Pours with two fingers of khaki foam that halves itself after 3 minutes. There is a subtle amount of very small rising bubbles once the head finally settles. Black in color with an orange tint. Lacing is moderate in quantity and thick. 4.75
Stout glass - Pours with two fingers of khaki foam that halves itself after 2 and a half minutes. There is a subtle amount of very small rising bubbles once the head finally settles. Black in color with an orange tint. Lacing is subtle in quantity and thick. 4.5
SMELL: Tulip- Very strong aromas of gingerbread and strong cinnamon aromas are backed by mild aromas of milk chocolate, honey, and sweet coffee along with subtle aromas of vanilla, alcohol, and hints of bitter roasted malts. 4.5
Stout glass- Strong aromas of gingerbread, cinnamon, and honey are backed by mild aromas of milk chocolate, and sweet coffee along with subtle aromas of vanilla, alcohol, and hints of bitter roasted malts. 4.75
TASTE: Tulip- Very strong flavors of gingerbread and mild flavors of honey first enter onto the palate. Mild cinnamon and vanilla flavors immediately follow as honey flavors grow stronger. Mild flavors of milk chocolate and sweet coffee continue this incredible taste symphony as now vanilla flavors grow stronger. Subtle bitter roated malt flavors enter lastly as all previous flavors now begin to maintain and blend into one of the most tastiest beers that I have ever had. 4.75
Stout glass- Strong gingerbread and cinnamon flavors enter initially and are immediately followed by mild flavors of vanilla and sweet coffee. Mild flavors of honey and milk chocolate continue this glass' experience of the brew as cinnamon and gingerbread flavors grow slightly stronger. Subtle bitter roasted malt flavors and hints of alcohol enter lastly as all previous flavors persist, except for vanilla, which grow stronger. 4.5
FEEL: Tulip- Medium-bodied and subtly carbonated. Goes down smooth and creamy while also clinging to the back of the throat like syrup. Ends with a mild dryness. 4.25
Stout glass- Exact same as the mouthfeel when drinking from the tulip except for hints of carbonation. 4.5
OVERALL FOR TULIP: 4.64
OVERALL FOR STOUT GLASS: 4.56
★ 2,404 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
Poured gently at 50°F from a 750ml bottle into both a tulip and a Spiegelau stout glass and allowed to warm up to 55°F before consuming. A side by side comparison will be done between the two glasses.
LOOK: Tulip- Pours with two fingers of khaki foam that halves itself after 3 minutes. There is a subtle amount of very small rising bubbles once the head finally settles. Black in color with an orange tint. Lacing is moderate in quantity and thick. 4.75
Stout glass - Pours with two fingers of khaki foam that halves itself after 2 and a half minutes. There is a subtle amount of very small rising bubbles once the head finally settles. Black in color with an orange tint. Lacing is subtle in quantity and thick. 4.5
SMELL: Tulip- Very strong aromas of gingerbread and strong cinnamon aromas are backed by mild aromas of milk chocolate, honey, and sweet coffee along with subtle aromas of vanilla, alcohol, and hints of bitter roasted malts. 4.5
Stout glass- Strong aromas of gingerbread, cinnamon, and honey are backed by mild aromas of milk chocolate, and sweet coffee along with subtle aromas of vanilla, alcohol, and hints of bitter roasted malts. 4.75
TASTE: Tulip- Very strong flavors of gingerbread and mild flavors of honey first enter onto the palate. Mild cinnamon and vanilla flavors immediately follow as honey flavors grow stronger. Mild flavors of milk chocolate and sweet coffee continue this incredible taste symphony as now vanilla flavors grow stronger. Subtle bitter roated malt flavors enter lastly as all previous flavors now begin to maintain and blend into one of the most tastiest beers that I have ever had. 4.75
Stout glass- Strong gingerbread and cinnamon flavors enter initially and are immediately followed by mild flavors of vanilla and sweet coffee. Mild flavors of honey and milk chocolate continue this glass' experience of the brew as cinnamon and gingerbread flavors grow slightly stronger. Subtle bitter roasted malt flavors and hints of alcohol enter lastly as all previous flavors persist, except for vanilla, which grow stronger. 4.5
FEEL: Tulip- Medium-bodied and subtly carbonated. Goes down smooth and creamy while also clinging to the back of the throat like syrup. Ends with a mild dryness. 4.25
Stout glass- Exact same as the mouthfeel when drinking from the tulip except for hints of carbonation. 4.5
OVERALL FOR TULIP: 4.64
OVERALL FOR STOUT GLASS: 4.56
★ 2,404 characters
4.53/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Look: motor oil black. Perfect looking head when poured heavy.
Smell: hints of gingerbread, cinnamon, ginger, but lacking on strong flavors like previous years. Hopefully this develops a little more in the bottle.
Taste: ginger, cookies, again last years trumps this in the ginger and overall taste department.
Feel: This is the third time I've thought this so I guess its decided. Thin, really thin, compared to last years that coats your throat all the way down, this is very thin. That said, I found I could drink a lot more of this than last years because of this factor.
Overall: I guess I just like last years more, but I did end up coming to like the thin mouthfeel because I could drink more!
★ 703 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Look: motor oil black. Perfect looking head when poured heavy.
Smell: hints of gingerbread, cinnamon, ginger, but lacking on strong flavors like previous years. Hopefully this develops a little more in the bottle.
Taste: ginger, cookies, again last years trumps this in the ginger and overall taste department.
Feel: This is the third time I've thought this so I guess its decided. Thin, really thin, compared to last years that coats your throat all the way down, this is very thin. That said, I found I could drink a lot more of this than last years because of this factor.
Overall: I guess I just like last years more, but I did end up coming to like the thin mouthfeel because I could drink more!
★ 703 characters
4.63/5 rDev +8.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
750mL bottle, bought at Trader Joe's in Arlington, VA. There is no bottling date, but I bought it in December 2015. I picked up 4 of these, gave 2 to my parents for Christmas, and kept 2 for myself. Poured into my favorite tulip glass at 55-65 degrees.
Look: Very dark brown with great tan-colored head.
Smell: Huge, obvious ginger smell dominates, especially at the warm temperature I poured it at. Smells sweet and sugary. I could believe I'm smelling a fresh-baked gingerbread cookie with icing.
Taste: They nailed the gingerbread cookie taste pretty well. I think I would prefer a little less bitterness and a little less of the alcohol taste.
Feel: A little thin for such a flavorful, high-ABV brew.
Overall: Really enjoyable overall. I'll definitely look for this again next year. My dad said he's saving one of his until next year, so I'll really enjoy trying it after a year of aging.
★ 897 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
750mL bottle, bought at Trader Joe's in Arlington, VA. There is no bottling date, but I bought it in December 2015. I picked up 4 of these, gave 2 to my parents for Christmas, and kept 2 for myself. Poured into my favorite tulip glass at 55-65 degrees.
Look: Very dark brown with great tan-colored head.
Smell: Huge, obvious ginger smell dominates, especially at the warm temperature I poured it at. Smells sweet and sugary. I could believe I'm smelling a fresh-baked gingerbread cookie with icing.
Taste: They nailed the gingerbread cookie taste pretty well. I think I would prefer a little less bitterness and a little less of the alcohol taste.
Feel: A little thin for such a flavorful, high-ABV brew.
Overall: Really enjoyable overall. I'll definitely look for this again next year. My dad said he's saving one of his until next year, so I'll really enjoy trying it after a year of aging.
★ 897 characters
3.93/5 rDev -8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Appearance - Pours near black with cola brown edging. The head is tan colored and peaks at a finger's width. Fair retention before breaking down to a thin, consistent layer of suds across the surface.
Smell - Cinnamon and clove hits the nose first. Lesser aroma of baked pie crust and ginger. Faint vanilla and milk chocolate.
Taste - Certainly sweet, with gingerbread and lesser chocolate milk notes making up the bulk of the flavor. Light cinnamon gives it a touch of spice. A hint of vanilla is in there somewhere. That baked cookie/pie crust toastiness creeps in near the finish. Very much a 'gingerbread' finish.
Mouthfeel - Near full body with low-to-moderate carbonation. Texture exhibits both slick and creamy qualities, and makes it go down stupid easy. Slightly dry, boozy finish.
Overall - Well executed brew, and I can certainly appreciate the thought and effort that went into making it, but it's simply not my cup of tea. That said, I can see why people love it, and I wouldn't be opposed to drinking it again if given the opportunity.
★ 1,054 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Appearance - Pours near black with cola brown edging. The head is tan colored and peaks at a finger's width. Fair retention before breaking down to a thin, consistent layer of suds across the surface.
Smell - Cinnamon and clove hits the nose first. Lesser aroma of baked pie crust and ginger. Faint vanilla and milk chocolate.
Taste - Certainly sweet, with gingerbread and lesser chocolate milk notes making up the bulk of the flavor. Light cinnamon gives it a touch of spice. A hint of vanilla is in there somewhere. That baked cookie/pie crust toastiness creeps in near the finish. Very much a 'gingerbread' finish.
Mouthfeel - Near full body with low-to-moderate carbonation. Texture exhibits both slick and creamy qualities, and makes it go down stupid easy. Slightly dry, boozy finish.
Overall - Well executed brew, and I can certainly appreciate the thought and effort that went into making it, but it's simply not my cup of tea. That said, I can see why people love it, and I wouldn't be opposed to drinking it again if given the opportunity.
★ 1,054 characters
3.95/5 rDev -7.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I am glad that I got to try this one; however, it simply didn't meet that hype. Perhaps it's my disdain for gingerbread. Even so, it didn't really remind me of a gingerbread cookie at all. It definitely inundated my palate with spices, which one typically associates with the Christmas season. Don't get the wrong impression. This is definitely an above average brew, but it's not one I would waste my time trading for again.
★ 430 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I am glad that I got to try this one; however, it simply didn't meet that hype. Perhaps it's my disdain for gingerbread. Even so, it didn't really remind me of a gingerbread cookie at all. It definitely inundated my palate with spices, which one typically associates with the Christmas season. Don't get the wrong impression. This is definitely an above average brew, but it's not one I would waste my time trading for again.
★ 430 characters
5/5 rDev +16.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Enjoyed on draft at Founding Farmers in Tysons, VA. Had searched for it with no success after foolishly passing it on the Trader Joe's shelf. Indebted to my wife who found it for me. Can't believe how good it is: 100% lived up to the hype. I laughed after tasting it, because I couldn't believe how perfect it tasted. Made me finally get a BA account and write a review. Not exaggerating when I tell people it's the best beer I've ever had.
Very dark brown, not quite black, nice head and a whiff of cinnamon chocolate on top. Honey comes through with subtle chocolate and coffee, inside of a very Christmas-like gingerbread, not just ginger, as advertised. Absolutely delicious.
So smooth, you have to pace yourself conservatively at 9.2%, and with the taste so great, that's tough. Left holding a growler like I'd found buried treasure.
*The review is of the draft I had. Only knock would be that when I later found bottles, as to be somewhat expected, they tasted markedly less complex than the draft, with a more pronounced gingerbread, and less of the subtle mocha richness of the draft. Could be temperature, or other variables out of Hardywood's control. These differences varied.
★ 1,191 characters
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Enjoyed on draft at Founding Farmers in Tysons, VA. Had searched for it with no success after foolishly passing it on the Trader Joe's shelf. Indebted to my wife who found it for me. Can't believe how good it is: 100% lived up to the hype. I laughed after tasting it, because I couldn't believe how perfect it tasted. Made me finally get a BA account and write a review. Not exaggerating when I tell people it's the best beer I've ever had.
Very dark brown, not quite black, nice head and a whiff of cinnamon chocolate on top. Honey comes through with subtle chocolate and coffee, inside of a very Christmas-like gingerbread, not just ginger, as advertised. Absolutely delicious.
So smooth, you have to pace yourself conservatively at 9.2%, and with the taste so great, that's tough. Left holding a growler like I'd found buried treasure.
*The review is of the draft I had. Only knock would be that when I later found bottles, as to be somewhat expected, they tasted markedly less complex than the draft, with a more pronounced gingerbread, and less of the subtle mocha richness of the draft. Could be temperature, or other variables out of Hardywood's control. These differences varied.
★ 1,191 characters
4.66/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
This base of a number of superb holiday spin-offs more than stands on its own. Almost black in color with just a slight head. Nose is (surprise) dark gingerbread - the soft sort out of a cake pan. Taste delivers what the nose promises, with equal parts standard stout and standard gingerbread-- balanced, hint of caramel. Slight sweetness up front and just enough bitterness in the back end. Mouth feel is super smooth. Careful, drinks more like a milk stout and hides the 9.2 ABV. There are many bolder imperial stouts out there, but if you like a hint of sweetness and flavor balance, look no further for the holiday season...then go find the spin-offs, especially Kentucky Christmas Morning and Apple Brandy Barrel GBS. The November release of GBS announces to me that the holiday beer season has begun.
★ 808 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
This base of a number of superb holiday spin-offs more than stands on its own. Almost black in color with just a slight head. Nose is (surprise) dark gingerbread - the soft sort out of a cake pan. Taste delivers what the nose promises, with equal parts standard stout and standard gingerbread-- balanced, hint of caramel. Slight sweetness up front and just enough bitterness in the back end. Mouth feel is super smooth. Careful, drinks more like a milk stout and hides the 9.2 ABV. There are many bolder imperial stouts out there, but if you like a hint of sweetness and flavor balance, look no further for the holiday season...then go find the spin-offs, especially Kentucky Christmas Morning and Apple Brandy Barrel GBS. The November release of GBS announces to me that the holiday beer season has begun.
★ 808 characters
4.64/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Pours pitch black with a ½" tan head. No lacing to speak of. Smells of ginger, cinnamon, and believe it or not, icing. Taste follows the smell, very authentic gingerbread taste, all the way down to the sweet icing taste on the finish. The body is a little thin for my liking, but compliments the style. Overall, this is probably the best milk stout I've ever had as it totally nails the concept of "gingerbread stout".
★ 424 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Pours pitch black with a ½" tan head. No lacing to speak of. Smells of ginger, cinnamon, and believe it or not, icing. Taste follows the smell, very authentic gingerbread taste, all the way down to the sweet icing taste on the finish. The body is a little thin for my liking, but compliments the style. Overall, this is probably the best milk stout I've ever had as it totally nails the concept of "gingerbread stout".
★ 424 characters
4.35/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Standard stout look with a nice thick tan head that stuck around through the first couple of sips. Smell was unfortunately mostly malt and hops. I was expecting more of the ginger coming through. However, the taste is great with hops and malt upfront and finishes smoothly with ginger. Great combination of flavors that is the epitome of Christmas. The feel is smooth and thick. Compliments the flavor very nicely allowing the ginger to stick around. A great Christmas beer enjoyed for the holidays. I am looking forward to trying the 2014 and 2015 barrel aged versions. Great trade from Cejaev.
★ 595 characters
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Standard stout look with a nice thick tan head that stuck around through the first couple of sips. Smell was unfortunately mostly malt and hops. I was expecting more of the ginger coming through. However, the taste is great with hops and malt upfront and finishes smoothly with ginger. Great combination of flavors that is the epitome of Christmas. The feel is smooth and thick. Compliments the flavor very nicely allowing the ginger to stick around. A great Christmas beer enjoyed for the holidays. I am looking forward to trying the 2014 and 2015 barrel aged versions. Great trade from Cejaev.
★ 595 characters
3.77/5 rDev -11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
750 ml bottle, corked and caged
Black, tan colored head, good retention. Ginger spice around, maybe some cinnamon too, and a touch of roast. Similar taster, thicker bodied. Overall just a bit more spice than I would like.
★ 225 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
750 ml bottle, corked and caged
Black, tan colored head, good retention. Ginger spice around, maybe some cinnamon too, and a touch of roast. Similar taster, thicker bodied. Overall just a bit more spice than I would like.
★ 225 characters
4.26/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours dark with Carmel head
Gingerbread notes are evident at pour; as it warms they are more evident
Toffee, Carmel and Gingerbread
Easy on the palate. A very enjoyable beer.
★ 174 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours dark with Carmel head
Gingerbread notes are evident at pour; as it warms they are more evident
Toffee, Carmel and Gingerbread
Easy on the palate. A very enjoyable beer.
★ 174 characters
4.56/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Got to hand it to TreBonez on this one he mailed me a bomber of this Hardywood release. Never had any of their offerings but the reviews are solid.
A - Deep dark blackness is what I enjoy in a stout with a full inch plus that pulls back to some pretty epic lacing. Dark mocha head lacing that is.
S - Very strong on the ginger in the nose very natural and root smelling in fact I never even experienced this level of ginger before its almost herbal. Honey sweetness and cinnamon are also heavy hitters the nose is so lively!
T - Pretty much what I expected the embodiment of a ginger bread cookie into a beer. Heavy sweet molasses sugar, sting of honey, vanilla beans, and cinnamon that isn't overpowering and ginger keeping it lively the base of the beer being a milk stout keeps it all in check as so creamy and smooth. AW DAMN!
M - Quite good the ABV is big but it drinks like a standard milk stout but RAMPED UP for the holidays!
Overall one of the best ginger beers I ever drank in my life. If you go in just for the ginger it will blow your mind!
★ 1,055 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Got to hand it to TreBonez on this one he mailed me a bomber of this Hardywood release. Never had any of their offerings but the reviews are solid.
A - Deep dark blackness is what I enjoy in a stout with a full inch plus that pulls back to some pretty epic lacing. Dark mocha head lacing that is.
S - Very strong on the ginger in the nose very natural and root smelling in fact I never even experienced this level of ginger before its almost herbal. Honey sweetness and cinnamon are also heavy hitters the nose is so lively!
T - Pretty much what I expected the embodiment of a ginger bread cookie into a beer. Heavy sweet molasses sugar, sting of honey, vanilla beans, and cinnamon that isn't overpowering and ginger keeping it lively the base of the beer being a milk stout keeps it all in check as so creamy and smooth. AW DAMN!
M - Quite good the ABV is big but it drinks like a standard milk stout but RAMPED UP for the holidays!
Overall one of the best ginger beers I ever drank in my life. If you go in just for the ginger it will blow your mind!
★ 1,055 characters
4.77/5 rDev +11.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
25.4oz bottle, illegible stamped date but it's the 2015 version. Pours nearly black with a medium sized light brown head. Smells of cocoa, ginger, cinnamon, vanilla, honey, and roasted malt; very complex with above average intensity. The taste is just as complex but much stronger; more roasted malt and honey. Some lactose sweetness which is fitting of the style. Somewhat creamy mouthfeel and average carbonation. This is a nearly perfect example of a holiday Milk Stout.
★ 479 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
25.4oz bottle, illegible stamped date but it's the 2015 version. Pours nearly black with a medium sized light brown head. Smells of cocoa, ginger, cinnamon, vanilla, honey, and roasted malt; very complex with above average intensity. The taste is just as complex but much stronger; more roasted malt and honey. Some lactose sweetness which is fitting of the style. Somewhat creamy mouthfeel and average carbonation. This is a nearly perfect example of a holiday Milk Stout.
★ 479 characters
2.35/5 rDev -45.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.5
Served on tap in a Hardywood glass at the halligan bar. Very dark color pretty much black, notice caramel and hop notes no ginger...very very slight ginger taste some caramel very very dry mouth feel and finish.
Not a bad beer but I was expecting more ginger and bread notes for a beer called gingerbread stout...not awful just didn't live up to the hype.
★ 357 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.5
Served on tap in a Hardywood glass at the halligan bar. Very dark color pretty much black, notice caramel and hop notes no ginger...very very slight ginger taste some caramel very very dry mouth feel and finish.
Not a bad beer but I was expecting more ginger and bread notes for a beer called gingerbread stout...not awful just didn't live up to the hype.
★ 357 characters
3.48/5 rDev -18.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
At first, this smells like a ginger bomb. But letting it open up some will reveal some subtle vanilla and cinnamon. I also get a little milk sugar in the form of a cream note. It comes together very well, but it's a touch mild. And the flavor profile is even milder. It opens up with a touch of lactose sweetness, and trails off into a spicy finish. I do pick up light ginger and cinnamon, and I'm glad both notes aren't overpowering everything else. Trouble is, everything else tastes dinky - really dinky. This is a perfect example of overt subtlety, as it makes the whole beer seem far weaker than 9%. On the plus side, it seems far weaker than 9%, which means the drinkability is excellent. Granted, it's excessively thin bodied, and 5% stouts have more flavor than this, but still. This is one dangerous brew. I wonder if this isn't as good on tap as it is in the bottle, because this growler is a massive letdown. It's wimpy tasting, plain and simple. And to think this is the most hyped beer in the DMV area...
I've got a bottle on standby, maybe that will be better. Watch for a pending re-review.
EDIT: And here we go, finishing this growler off at a colder temperature, it's really improved nicely. Now, it has a genuine presence of gingerbread cookies, a much bigger flavor, and seemingly a thicker feel (though that may be due to the lowered carbonation). I still don't think it quite lives up to all the hype, but I definitely think it deserves a much higher score than what I originally gave it.
3.48/5: Hey, it'll land Heady Topper in a trade...
★ 1,564 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
At first, this smells like a ginger bomb. But letting it open up some will reveal some subtle vanilla and cinnamon. I also get a little milk sugar in the form of a cream note. It comes together very well, but it's a touch mild. And the flavor profile is even milder. It opens up with a touch of lactose sweetness, and trails off into a spicy finish. I do pick up light ginger and cinnamon, and I'm glad both notes aren't overpowering everything else. Trouble is, everything else tastes dinky - really dinky. This is a perfect example of overt subtlety, as it makes the whole beer seem far weaker than 9%. On the plus side, it seems far weaker than 9%, which means the drinkability is excellent. Granted, it's excessively thin bodied, and 5% stouts have more flavor than this, but still. This is one dangerous brew. I wonder if this isn't as good on tap as it is in the bottle, because this growler is a massive letdown. It's wimpy tasting, plain and simple. And to think this is the most hyped beer in the DMV area...
I've got a bottle on standby, maybe that will be better. Watch for a pending re-review.
EDIT: And here we go, finishing this growler off at a colder temperature, it's really improved nicely. Now, it has a genuine presence of gingerbread cookies, a much bigger flavor, and seemingly a thicker feel (though that may be due to the lowered carbonation). I still don't think it quite lives up to all the hype, but I definitely think it deserves a much higher score than what I originally gave it.
3.48/5: Hey, it'll land Heady Topper in a trade...
★ 1,564 characters
4.26/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
From the growler, it pours very dark into the glass, a bit of head and lace in evidence. Gingerbread cookie in the nose, followed by the roasty gingerbread flavor. Wow!
★ 170 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
From the growler, it pours very dark into the glass, a bit of head and lace in evidence. Gingerbread cookie in the nose, followed by the roasty gingerbread flavor. Wow!
★ 170 characters
4.59/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Totally black except for a thin ruby ring around the base of the glass. 4 finger mounding tan head leaving moderate lacing.
Scent of vanilla, cinnamon, and ginger. Wildflower honey and alcohol combine for an almost vinous aroma. Spiced dark fruits and dark chocolate or chocolate cookie dough.
Sweet dark molasses with vanilla and hints of ginger and cinnamon. A tart vinous aspect with chocolate milk and burnt malt.
Rich and full in body. Carbonation is tempered by the milky character. Syrupy cling yields great retention.
A great beer. Warming but not overly hot, and rich in flavor and aroma. A good holiday brew.
★ 629 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Totally black except for a thin ruby ring around the base of the glass. 4 finger mounding tan head leaving moderate lacing.
Scent of vanilla, cinnamon, and ginger. Wildflower honey and alcohol combine for an almost vinous aroma. Spiced dark fruits and dark chocolate or chocolate cookie dough.
Sweet dark molasses with vanilla and hints of ginger and cinnamon. A tart vinous aspect with chocolate milk and burnt malt.
Rich and full in body. Carbonation is tempered by the milky character. Syrupy cling yields great retention.
A great beer. Warming but not overly hot, and rich in flavor and aroma. A good holiday brew.
★ 629 characters
Gingerbread Stout from Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
4.28
out of 5
based on 1,331 ratings.
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours opaque, black in color with one inch head. Taste is pure gingerbread cookie--Ginger, brown sugar, cardamon, cloves, and molasses. Heavy bodied, sweet and delicious. Great dessert beer. Will look for this treat again.
★ 226 characters