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Nitro Hot Cocoa
Southern Tier Brewing Company


Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- From:
- Southern Tier Brewing Company
- New York, United States
- Style:
- Sweet / Milk Stout
Ranked #61 - ABV:
- 10%
- Score:
- 95
Ranked #1,522 - Avg:
- 4.31 | pDev: 6.73%
- Reviews:
- 46
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Mar 04, 2023
- Added:
- Dec 20, 2019
- Wants:
- 5
- Gots:
- 4
SCORE
95
World-Class
95
World-Class


Notes:
Southern Tier’s Blackwater NITRO Series introduces NEW flavor, Hot Cocoa. Each can releases nitro into the stouts, creating cascading foam and delicious, creamy flavor. It is a fully sensational drinking experience that you can hear, see and taste. With rich natural chocolate and hints of marshmallow, Hot Cocoa is the perfect pairing to stay warm during a cozy night.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by LifesAnesthesia from Virginia
4.53/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.53/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
L - Deep black with a perfect tan nitro head that sticks around and leaves behind a ton of lacing. Nitro beers always look good
S - Rich malty chocolate, lactose, vanilla, some caramel
T - follows the nose - rich malty milk chocolate up front and throughout, lactose, vanilla, and caramel intermixed well throughout.
F - Full bodied with light carbonation. Smooth and creamy
O - tastes exactly like it promises and does nitro well. Fantastic dessert stout
Mar 04, 2023S - Rich malty chocolate, lactose, vanilla, some caramel
T - follows the nose - rich malty milk chocolate up front and throughout, lactose, vanilla, and caramel intermixed well throughout.
F - Full bodied with light carbonation. Smooth and creamy
O - tastes exactly like it promises and does nitro well. Fantastic dessert stout
Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho
3.75/5 rDev -13%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.75/5 rDev -13%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
12 oz can. First crack of the can sends sweet Swiss Miss aromas wafting upwards. Near black pour with thick creamy beige head. Aroma and taste are sweet cocoa, milk, vanilla. Creamy and smooth.
Feb 11, 2023Reviewed by IvoryBilledWoodpecker from Florida
3.66/5 rDev -15.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 2.5
3.66/5 rDev -15.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 2.5
Rich blackish brown, as always, nitro brews look really cool. Smells like hot cocoa but being cold throws it off a little. Tastes like hot cocoa but something about that flavor with the alcohol just makes this a no. Smooth and mostly east to drink. I just really don’t like this.
Dec 04, 2022Reviewed by 1BrewBacca from Georgia
4.67/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
4.67/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
Nothing more beautiful than a rich, dark, Nitro Stout. Nice, creamy, thick, brown head.
Smells and Taste reminiscent of a chocolate milk shake with some alcohol and a little carbonation added.
This brew is as smooth as can be and soooo easy to drink.
I knocked the overall down somewhat because this is only a 9.6 oz. pour. Put this in a pint and I'm all in at 5.0.
Aug 19, 2022Smells and Taste reminiscent of a chocolate milk shake with some alcohol and a little carbonation added.
This brew is as smooth as can be and soooo easy to drink.
I knocked the overall down somewhat because this is only a 9.6 oz. pour. Put this in a pint and I'm all in at 5.0.
Rated by Greg_ehr from New York
4.79/5 rDev +11.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
4.79/5 rDev +11.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
This beer is awesome. Tastes like a milk shake and is so smooth to drink
But with a punch 10% abv.
Aug 06, 2022But with a punch 10% abv.
Reviewed by Elemental19xx from Illinois
4.69/5 rDev +8.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.69/5 rDev +8.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Im not crazy on chocolate beers, but this one caught my eye for some reason so i bought a four pack. I had them in my fridge for a couple days before deciding to drink one. I planned on just sipping it over the course of an hour or so, but long story short i just finished the fourth one and its been maybe 45 minutes or a little longer. And im sitting here wondering why im kinda drunk, and i see 10% apv. So yeah these are delicious and i just drank them like they were a hot cocoa flavored chocolate milk. 100% would recommend.
Jul 28, 2022Reviewed by RonaldTheriot from Louisiana
4.92/5 rDev +14.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
4.92/5 rDev +14.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
Nitro Hot Cocoa has a thin, cream-type, beige head, a dark-brown appearance, and a bit of lacing. The aroma is of chocolate, vanilla, and coffee. The flavor is of those elements, as well as cream and dark bread crust. There is a touch of bitterness. Nitro Hot Cocoa has a heavy body and a velvety mouthfeel, with a sweet finish.
RJT
Apr 14, 2022RJT
Reviewed by mvanaskie13 from Pennsylvania
4.17/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.17/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Poured into a goblet: color is black, head is tan with the super fine bubbles of the nitro effervescence, head presents 1 finger thick then slowly dissipating but with a solid top remaining.
Smell is sweet and bitter chocolate, lactose, some sweeter malts.
Taste is sweet and bitter chocolate, lactose, chocolate malt, maybe some roast but the chocolates really dominate, fairly sweet, light nitro feel.
Mouthfeel is fine/smooth nitro, big sweetness, lower bitterness; fairly sweet and lingering throughout.
Overall a big sweet and bitter chocolatey brew, the nitro aids in smoothing some of that intensity.
Apr 09, 2022Smell is sweet and bitter chocolate, lactose, some sweeter malts.
Taste is sweet and bitter chocolate, lactose, chocolate malt, maybe some roast but the chocolates really dominate, fairly sweet, light nitro feel.
Mouthfeel is fine/smooth nitro, big sweetness, lower bitterness; fairly sweet and lingering throughout.
Overall a big sweet and bitter chocolatey brew, the nitro aids in smoothing some of that intensity.
Reviewed by NCSapiens from Indiana
3.99/5 rDev -7.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.99/5 rDev -7.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Generally I’m not a fan of nitro milk stouts, but I do like this one. The chocolate is very deep, almost like chocolate cake batter. But it isn’t very complex or nuanced. So I find it a bit one note.
Mar 27, 2022Reviewed by whynot44 from Missouri
4.47/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.47/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Black coffee color with a substantial creamy tan head that hangs around and produces sheets of very nice lacing.
The aroma is cocoa, caramel, vanilla, marshmallows with hints of coffee, roasted nuts, brown sugar And plums.
The taste has all of that and even more of the vanilla, brown sugar and cocoa with some additional milk chocolate, pepper and a bit of floral, grassy hops to round it all out.
The body is full and creamy smooth, almost oily.
Altogether this is fantastically complex and yet nicely balanced for a really enjoyable brew. Who would have thought of hot cocoa. This a great after dinner, dessert drink or just a great cold weather drink anytime.
Mar 02, 2022The aroma is cocoa, caramel, vanilla, marshmallows with hints of coffee, roasted nuts, brown sugar And plums.
The taste has all of that and even more of the vanilla, brown sugar and cocoa with some additional milk chocolate, pepper and a bit of floral, grassy hops to round it all out.
The body is full and creamy smooth, almost oily.
Altogether this is fantastically complex and yet nicely balanced for a really enjoyable brew. Who would have thought of hot cocoa. This a great after dinner, dessert drink or just a great cold weather drink anytime.
Reviewed by GreesyFizeek from New York
3.89/5 rDev -9.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
3.89/5 rDev -9.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
On nitro tap at Trata in Rochester, NY.
This one pours a very dark black color, with a small white head, cascading body, and lots of lacing.
This tastes pretty much exactly like the name describes, which is something. It's not particularly beer like, it's just thick melted chocolate. I think I remember liking Choklat back in the day a bit more than this one, but it's still impressively reminiscent of the drink they're attempting to emulate, with a nice creamy vanilla and marshmallow like sweetness.
This is thick, creamy, very sweet, and pretty drinkable, with a nice creamy body brought on by the nitro.
In pretty small doses, this is worth a try. I can't imagine drinking more than about 5-6 ounces, though.
Feb 08, 2022This one pours a very dark black color, with a small white head, cascading body, and lots of lacing.
This tastes pretty much exactly like the name describes, which is something. It's not particularly beer like, it's just thick melted chocolate. I think I remember liking Choklat back in the day a bit more than this one, but it's still impressively reminiscent of the drink they're attempting to emulate, with a nice creamy vanilla and marshmallow like sweetness.
This is thick, creamy, very sweet, and pretty drinkable, with a nice creamy body brought on by the nitro.
In pretty small doses, this is worth a try. I can't imagine drinking more than about 5-6 ounces, though.
Reviewed by JohnnyHopps from Indiana
4.44/5 rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.44/5 rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Appearance - The beer poured a brownish-black color with a piffy tan head.
Smell - The nose had elements of dry baker’s chocolate.
Taste - The light fluffy chocolate brought hot cocoa to mind. With a bit more sweetness, I might’ve given it a 5. The nitro head brought to mind fluffy melted marshmallows. It lent just a touch of vanilla. The cocoa carried to the finish.
Mouthfeel - The nitro bubbles made this silky smooth.
Overall - The Black Water series is a gem that’s hidden in plain sight. Southern Tier is killing it.
Jan 30, 2022Smell - The nose had elements of dry baker’s chocolate.
Taste - The light fluffy chocolate brought hot cocoa to mind. With a bit more sweetness, I might’ve given it a 5. The nitro head brought to mind fluffy melted marshmallows. It lent just a touch of vanilla. The cocoa carried to the finish.
Mouthfeel - The nitro bubbles made this silky smooth.
Overall - The Black Water series is a gem that’s hidden in plain sight. Southern Tier is killing it.
Reviewed by brureview from Massachusetts
4.25/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I'm a big fan of the Southern Tier Blackwater series. Always excellent standout beers.
This beer is no exception, but its taste profile may not appeal to everyone.
Dark chocolate color in a Stone snifter with a 2F head. Nice looking beer.
Deep cocoa, chocolate, and banana aroma.
Exceptionally smooth MF. The smoothest of any milk stout I've tasted.
The pronounced taste like the aroma- marshmallow, heavy cocoa.
The finish is smooth.
In general, an excellent, well brewed beer. Perhaps the extreme cocoa and marshmallow won't appeal to some drinkers.
Otherwise, well worth trying,
Jan 30, 2022This beer is no exception, but its taste profile may not appeal to everyone.
Dark chocolate color in a Stone snifter with a 2F head. Nice looking beer.
Deep cocoa, chocolate, and banana aroma.
Exceptionally smooth MF. The smoothest of any milk stout I've tasted.
The pronounced taste like the aroma- marshmallow, heavy cocoa.
The finish is smooth.
In general, an excellent, well brewed beer. Perhaps the extreme cocoa and marshmallow won't appeal to some drinkers.
Otherwise, well worth trying,
Reviewed by VABA from Virginia
4.44/5 rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.44/5 rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pours a very dark color with a nice tan head and lacing
Aroma has generous hot cocoa hints
The taste the nose with a very pleasant hot cocoa flavor
A medium bodied well carbonated beer
A great Milk Stout
Jan 21, 2022Aroma has generous hot cocoa hints
The taste the nose with a very pleasant hot cocoa flavor
A medium bodied well carbonated beer
A great Milk Stout
Reviewed by DeaconWhite82 from Pennsylvania
4.46/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.46/5 rDev +3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Purchased a 4 pack of 9.6 fl oz cans. Not cheap but not unreasonable price. Pours dark with a classic nitro head. Aroma is chocolate with slight alcohol. Taste is a cold hot chocolate, very smooth. You would never guess it’s 10%. I loved it
Jan 14, 2022Reviewed by RozzieBoy from Rhode Island
4.22/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.22/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
L - poured black with 1-finger mocha head. Carbonation bubbles clinging to the glass. Good lacing.
S - like baking chocolate - uncooked and raw. Whoa.
T - wow chocolate.
F - full full full mouthfeel. Damn. Smooth on the palate.
O - almost afraid to drink it, but glad I did. Like drinking a melted dark chocolate candy bar.
Jan 24, 2021S - like baking chocolate - uncooked and raw. Whoa.
T - wow chocolate.
F - full full full mouthfeel. Damn. Smooth on the palate.
O - almost afraid to drink it, but glad I did. Like drinking a melted dark chocolate candy bar.
Reviewed by Bluerabbitbell from Pennsylvania
4.15/5 rDev -3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.15/5 rDev -3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
On tap at Out of the Fire near Donegal, Pa. Dave's 50th trip.
Ok, let's just start with, WOW! How is it even possible to take hot chocolate to this kind of level? It's exactly like Swiss Miss, aroma, taste, and a much more highly sophisticated mouth feel than you can ever get from a packet of Swiss Miss and water! Thank you, Southern Tier, for raising the bar on hot chocolate.
Sep 27, 2020Ok, let's just start with, WOW! How is it even possible to take hot chocolate to this kind of level? It's exactly like Swiss Miss, aroma, taste, and a much more highly sophisticated mouth feel than you can ever get from a packet of Swiss Miss and water! Thank you, Southern Tier, for raising the bar on hot chocolate.
Reviewed by zeff80 from Missouri
4.34/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.34/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
On nitro. Poured out an opaque, jet-black color with a thick, bubbly brown head of foam. It left sudsy sheets of lace on the glass. It smelled of sweet, sweet milk chocolate, caramel and creamy milk. It really tasted like hot cocoa but cold and beer-like.
Sep 16, 2020
Nitro Hot Cocoa from Southern Tier Brewing Company
Beer rating:
95 out of
100 with
123 ratings
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