Spetsnaz
The Grumpy Troll Restaurant and Brewery

SpetsnazSpetsnaz
Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
The Grumpy Troll Restaurant and Brewery
 
Wisconsin, United States
Style:
Sweet / Milk Stout
ABV:
5.6%
Score:
87
Avg:
3.89 | pDev: 8.48%
Reviews:
16
Ratings:
39
Status:
Active
Rated:
Apr 24, 2018
Added:
Apr 02, 2007
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  2
Our special smooth stout has inviting flavors resembling coffee, chocolate, and the warm appeal of roasted malts.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by BeerBelcher:
Photo of BeerBelcher
Reviewed by BeerBelcher from Ohio

4.2/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
In short, I thought this beer was awesome. This beer had a touch of sweetness, and a ton of dry roastiness that was clean, dry, and offered plenty of the "burned pizza crust" character I crave.

The beer appeared opaque and thick, with a medium amount of head. Aroma was a bit chocolatey, and offered a ton of dry roastiness. Flavor and mouthfeel was terrific, and as I've described above.

I thought this beer alone was worth the trip to Mount Horeb.

I had this on draft at the brewpub.
Sep 16, 2007
More User Ratings:
Photo of AlarmClock314
Reviewed by AlarmClock314 from Wisconsin

3.96/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
On tap at the Grumpy Troll Brew Pub in Mount Horeb, WI on 4/24/18. Review from notes. Appears brownish black with a khaki head. Smells and tastes of dark roasted malt, licorice, cocoa, coffee, and molasses. Medium, lingering bitterness and light dryness. Below average body and above average carbonation for the style. Overall, it’s roasty and on the bitter side, but could use a little more balance and body.
Apr 24, 2018
 
Rated: 3.33 by npendres from Wisconsin

Jun 17, 2017
 
Rated: 3.53 by Benish from Utah

Nov 13, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by iRun2Beer from Minnesota

Aug 29, 2016
Photo of Jet70
Rated by Jet70 from Wisconsin

3.84/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Nice chocolate. Roasty. Some bite.
May 10, 2015
 
Rated: 4.18 by MilwaukeeBeerMaker from Wisconsin

Apr 28, 2015
 
Rated: 3.85 by invalid665 from Illinois

Feb 16, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by GRG1313 from California

Nov 17, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by BDeibs from Colorado

Nov 15, 2014
Photo of Jugs_McGhee
Reviewed by Jugs_McGhee from Colorado

3.25/5  rDev -16.5%
"Spetsnaz Stout." 1 pint 6 fl oz brown glass bottle with fun label art and unbranded pry-off pressure cap courtesy of the very generous Duff27. 6.70% ABV per the label. Aside from "stout," no style is identified on the label.

Served at fridge temp and allowed to warm over the course of consumption. Side-poured into an Odell stem-tulip in high altitude Castle Rock, CO. Reviewed live. Expectations are average; this is my first beer from this brewery.

No bubble show forms as it's poured.

HEAD: Two fingers wide. Khaki-tan colour. Has a nicely creamy and thick consistency, with a soft complexion and even-keeled texture. Appealingly supple. No lacing sticks to the sides of the tulip as the head recedes.

Retention is pretty good - about 5-6 minutes.

BODY: Predictably, it's an opaque solid black. Not quite a jet black, but very dark.

No yeast particulate or hop sediment is visible.

It's an appealing appearance for a stout, but is far from unique or special. Looks like most stouts, with the benefit of a nice head.

AROMA: Better than I would have anticipated. Decadent oatmeal, wonderful cream, a kiss of roasted barley, beautifully integrated lactose sugar, dark malts, chocolate malts, and milk chocolate.

I don't detect any yeasty notes, hops, spices, or off-notes.

It's incredibly pleasant; I can't wait to try this. As it warms, I think I pick up on a kiss of faint coffee. It's such a mellow aroma. Mild in strength. Lovely for the style.

TASTE: Dark malts and chocolate malts comprise the core - a pretty standard approach to the foundation for a stout. Lactose sugar comes in and fills out the body nicely, with some complementary cream and milk chocolate in there too.

Sadly, no roasted barley or coffee enters into the profile; they're sorely missed.

Overall, it's an enjoyable albeit simple milk stout with a nice balance, but little in terms of complexity/intricacy and subtlety. Very straightforward for the style.

There is some faint hop character - evergreen and a bit of pine is all I find. Those are good hop choices for a stout.

Average depth, duration, and intensity of flavour. Nice flavour amplitude.

TEXTURE: Smooth, wet, creamy, a bit silky, full-bodied, and thick. Luckily, it's not syrupy or sticky. I could use more softness and silkiness. Ideally, the creaminess would work against a roasted barley-induced coarseness and dryness, but then again this is a milk stout, and it's conventionally smooth.

Not scratchy, rough, oily, hot, boozy, astringent, harsh, or gushed.

This texture is a decent companion to the taste, but doesn't elevate the beer or highlight any flavours. The creaminess is nice, but I'd like more of a deliberate texture focused on bringing out the best in the beer.

A biteen overcarbonated.

OVERALL: It's likable drinkable milk stout. I'd prefer this were offered in 6 pack format; bombers are unnecessary. It does a decent job at hiding its ABV. I've certainly had better, but it's nice to know this is available in Wisconsin. It's a nice alternative to Left Hand Milk Stout, but I wouldn't go out of my way to buy it again. Well worth trying for fans of the style, but it won't impress the discerning drinker.

High C+
Aug 19, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by KAF from Iowa

Jul 13, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by egrace84 from Illinois

Mar 01, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by oldvines from Illinois

Dec 28, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by XmnwildX12 from Minnesota

Dec 05, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by MarshMan71 from Illinois

Aug 24, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by redleg411 from Wisconsin

Jun 28, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by Dactrius from Netherlands Antilles

Jun 16, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by jreindl from Wisconsin

Jun 08, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by Hopheadjeffery from Illinois

May 13, 2013
Spetsnaz from The Grumpy Troll Restaurant and Brewery
Beer rating: 87 out of 100 with 39 ratings