Lenin's Revenge | Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co

3.71/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

No full reviews on this one yet, so I'll step up. Hadn't seen this brew before today, so I figured I'd see how this Houston brewer represents itself.

Served from a bomber, capped with black wax. No date or lot number visible. Label says 9.6% ABV. Poured into a tulip.

Appearance is like a cola, only just slightly darker. Not the opaquest stout out there by far. Also not the thickest. Pours thinner than I would have thought and am slightly disappointed. Just a quick light khaki layer of head that dissipated, leaving nice lacing. The beer coats the glass well.

Smell is raisins, prunes, other dried fruits, along with a little malt. Not extremely strong.

Taste at first is all figs and molasses, followed by a slight roasted malt characteristic which delves into hoppy bitterness. Strange. This finishes almost like a black IPA, which I don't think fits. Softens as it warms, but not enough for me. The opposing flavors (near-cloying dried-fruit sweetness and char/hops) balance on paper, but in practice are less than the sum of their parts. This may be a lot better with some age on it, but right now, it's confused.

Mouthfeel is perhaps the most confounding. It's a lot thicker on the tongue than it pours visually, which I like - but it's quite oily and lingering. Coats your mouth a lot more than expected. With the bitter taste finish combined with the oily close, the best part of this beer is up-front.

This wasn't a "bad" beer, and with a year on it, it might be out of this world - but fresh, it is not something I would seek out again. It's a nice try from a small local brewer that might appeal to some people for sure.

 1,640 characters

4.01/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

I don't know why this has such horrible reviews. It is a thick and slick stout that is pitch black with a thick tan head. Yes, maybe a little too much hop bitterness that throws it a little out of balance, but nothing to cry about. The feel and body are great. Could use a little more sweetness, but still a stout worth picking up.

 331 characters

3.5/5  rDev -8.9%

3.75/5  rDev -2.3%

4.25/5  rDev +10.7%

3.76/5  rDev -2.1%

4/5  rDev +4.2%

4/5  rDev +4.2%

3.61/5  rDev -6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

3.5/5  rDev -8.9%

3.22/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

3.78/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

4.52/5  rDev +17.7%

3.75/5  rDev -2.3%

3.75/5  rDev -2.3%

4.1/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pour is black velvet, leaking to chestnut brown on the edges, with a rich tan head, Coffee and dark chocolate dominate the nose.

Coffee flavors are WAAAY forward on the taste, with plenty of dark chocolate and black cherries, too. This is a really nice RIS, IMHO.

 266 characters

3.5/5  rDev -8.9%

3.96/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

4/5  rDev +4.2%

4.25/5  rDev +10.7%

3.5/5  rDev -8.9%

4/5  rDev +4.2%

3.5/5  rDev -8.9%

3.75/5  rDev -2.3%

4.5/5  rDev +17.2%