Black Tot
Avery Brewing Company

Black TotBlack Tot
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From:
Avery Brewing Company
 
Colorado, United States
Style:
American Imperial Stout
ABV:
10.08%
Score:
82
Avg:
3.6 | pDev: 20.56%
Reviews:
117
Ratings:
177
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Dec 22, 2016
Added:
Sep 10, 2009
Wants:
  42
Gots:
  28
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Gueuzedude:
Photo of Gueuzedude
Reviewed by Gueuzedude from Arizona

3.48/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Bottled January 2010; Sampled February 2010
A solid pour into my large Tripel Karmeliet tulip glass produces a fat-two-finger thick, lightly brown stained, dark tan colored head. The beer is a rich black hue that has touches dark chocolate brown. When held up to the light the beer is still quite opaque, but does show a rich, red / amber glow. Rich aromas of toasted whole grain, bitter dark cocao, lightly burnt whole grain bread, coffee with cream, some burnt grain acidity and on the sweeter side notes of coffee liquor, maybe a touch of molasses and mocha coffee. After a bit I am realizing that the toastiness and much of a light spiciness as well as the sharpness are actually being contributed by oak. As the beer warms soft floral notes of vanilla become noticeable. The aroma is interesting and complex, but somehow doesn't seem as interesting and integrated as I would like.

Somewhat viscous feeling as it hits the palate, but it actually seems a bit on the light side for a beer of this strength. The beer has a light, mocha like sweetness to it up front, but finishes with a tartness that seems contributed by the Rum barrel and also a bit from the roasted grain contribution. The tartness brings out an almost grappa like fruitiness to the finish, though without an overly harsh alcoholic bite that this would usually imply. The most dominant flavor here is definitely the roasted grain; espresso, and only a hint of burnt grain husks. A flavor of toasted coconut lightly scents the flavor as does a light oaky spiciness that mixes in with a touch of warming alcohol. A touch of astringent, burnt vegetal notes mars the finish just a bit, but is fairly restrained overall. And it can also be a bit acrid and burntly acidic in the finish at times. A bright, plum like fruitiness can be found here after digging around for a while.

An interesting beer, but I can't really say that this is as enjoyable as I would like it to be. This is certainly drinkable and is even enjoyable enough to finish, but I think that the body is a bit thinner than it should be as it needs a bit of a richer malt base to stand up to the alcohol, the rum barrel and the roasted malt. I will say that this beer definitely needs to be allowed to warm up in order for it to seem a bit more integrated and balanced.
Mar 20, 2010
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.48 by csfcmitchell from Texas

Dec 22, 2016
 
Rated: 2.91 by yeaprolly from Washington

Dec 22, 2015
 
Rated: 3.24 by jaydoc from Kansas

Dec 17, 2015
 
Rated: 3.74 by Hohnbaum from Kansas

Dec 17, 2015
 
Rated: 2.89 by iRun2Beer from Minnesota

Sep 01, 2015
Photo of jlindros
Reviewed by jlindros from Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Dark fluffy fizzy head, pitch black beer.

Nose fluffy marshmallow, earthy cardboard notes, funky aged malt, mild fudgey cocoa, etc.

Taste sweet fluffy candy malt, nougat and fudgey cocoa, little earthy, candy chewy fudgey cocoa. Little acrid roast notes, etc.

Mouth is med bod, some warming booze, lighter carb.
Aug 05, 2015
 
Rated: 3.11 by SocalKicks from California

Jun 15, 2015
 
Rated: 3.77 by Beer-Zombie from Oregon

May 09, 2015
 
Rated: 3.36 by LoveStout from New York

Mar 15, 2015
 
Rated: 3.46 by acurtis from New Jersey

Mar 15, 2015
 
Rated: 3.74 by vrbulldog22 from Ohio

Feb 28, 2015
Photo of LiquidAmber
Reviewed by LiquidAmber from Washington

3/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75
Properly cellared bottle poured into a Fremont small snifter. Pours pitch black with a thin brown head that dissipates to a ring around the glass; no visible carbonation nor lacing. Aroma of dark toasted malt, molasses, a hint of rum and dark cherry. Flavor starts with cark toasted malt, coffee and chocolate and goes south after that, with a metallic sourness ending in acerbic bitterness. Medium bodied with little carbonation. After the aroma on opening, I thought I had dodged the bullet, but this does taste like a soured stout. Smells good and the initial taste indicates a good dark imperial stout, but the finish is not good. Oh, well. Avery has never failed me before; I'll open something else.
Nov 25, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by a77cj7 from South Dakota

Nov 20, 2014
Photo of kscaldef
Rated by kscaldef from Oregon

2.5/5  rDev -30.6%
This bottle was not infected, but it's definitely over the hill.
Nov 02, 2014
 
Rated: 3.49 by rab53 from Washington

Oct 12, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by MarkyMOD from Colorado

Aug 24, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by zestar from California

Jul 13, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by wrightst from Maryland

Jun 06, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by bsuedekum from Missouri

May 29, 2014
Black Tot from Avery Brewing Company
Beer rating: 82 out of 100 with 177 ratings