-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Black OPS
Brooklyn Brewery
- From:
- Brooklyn Brewery
- New York, United States
- Style:
- Russian Imperial Stout
Ranked #269 - ABV:
- 11.6%
- Score:
- 92
Ranked #4,935 - Avg:
- 4.13 | pDev: 12.35%
- Reviews:
- 903
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Mar 05, 2024
- Added:
- Dec 20, 2007
- Wants:
- 472
- Gots:
- 1,280
Brooklyn Black Ops (2008 commercially available version) was aged for four months in bourbon barrels, bottled flat, and re-fermented in the bottle with Champagne yeast. 940 cases produced.
10.7%-2008
11.6%-2009
11.3%-2010
10.7%-2011
10.5%-2012
11.5%-2013
11.6%-2014
10.7%-2008
11.6%-2009
11.3%-2010
10.7%-2011
10.5%-2012
11.5%-2013
11.6%-2014
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by SLeffler27:
Reviewed by SLeffler27 from New York
4.37/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
4.37/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
At least four fingers of creamy, dark-mahogany froth lurk above this coal-black beer, some cascading action gives way to a coating of lace and legs after a long while.
The aroma more than lives up to expectations as it unfolds from oak to chocolate then bourbon. Along the way, one can detect molasses, espresso and wheat bread playing a subordinated role. As it warms, pine sap and raspberry enter ones consciousness.
The flavor profile is amazingly well paired to the aroma. This is a symphony masterwork as bitterness becomes an afterthought amidst the sensory stimulus. Bittersweet chocolate and dried dark fruits are revealed with bourbon. One could write a thesis on this beer during the long subtle finish.
This is a full-bodied, creamy stout that is like velvet on the tongue with moderate carbonation. The warming alcohol is welcome and nowhere near the expectations of 11% ABV.
Sip in a Hoegaarden Snifter, as you read or contemplate the hours away or discuss and digest with soulful companions, Black OPS is a winner.
Black OPS, mystique aside, floods my consciousness with memories of my grandfather smoking cigars in his study lined with books and dark wood paneling. All that he inspired in me returns in torrents of excitement. In one word, WOW! Thanks Brooklyn.
Jan 07, 2010The aroma more than lives up to expectations as it unfolds from oak to chocolate then bourbon. Along the way, one can detect molasses, espresso and wheat bread playing a subordinated role. As it warms, pine sap and raspberry enter ones consciousness.
The flavor profile is amazingly well paired to the aroma. This is a symphony masterwork as bitterness becomes an afterthought amidst the sensory stimulus. Bittersweet chocolate and dried dark fruits are revealed with bourbon. One could write a thesis on this beer during the long subtle finish.
This is a full-bodied, creamy stout that is like velvet on the tongue with moderate carbonation. The warming alcohol is welcome and nowhere near the expectations of 11% ABV.
Sip in a Hoegaarden Snifter, as you read or contemplate the hours away or discuss and digest with soulful companions, Black OPS is a winner.
Black OPS, mystique aside, floods my consciousness with memories of my grandfather smoking cigars in his study lined with books and dark wood paneling. All that he inspired in me returns in torrents of excitement. In one word, WOW! Thanks Brooklyn.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by CruzinCooler from New Jersey
3.32/5 rDev -19.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
3.32/5 rDev -19.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Hmmm. Strange complexity even for a Barrel-Aged Russian Imperial Stout. Hints of chocolate and coffee are expected. I’m thinking the Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon comes out being a bit more sour than sweet.
Mar 05, 2024Reviewed by Matt_W from New York
4.06/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.06/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Got a bottle as a gift in 2016. Just opened it today February 18, 2024. Poured dark black with very little head. Smooth with a bourbon bite after taste. I think I like the Goose Island bourbon barrel a little better. Overall a good beer but its one and done. I put a wine saver in it and will break it out in a couple of weeks. Cheers!
Feb 18, 2024Reviewed by tone77 from Pennsylvania
3.62/5 rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.62/5 rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a 16 oz. can. Has a black color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is of bourbon, a touch of chocolate. Taste is strong of bourbon, light vanilla and chocolate. Feels medium/full bodied in the mouth and overall is a pretty good beer.
Jun 25, 2023Rated by izraelc from New York
4/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours dark as night. Tan foam. Chocolate aroma. Dark cherry chocolate body. More tart than sweet. Light bitter alcohol finish. Good but not great.
Jun 17, 2023Reviewed by HoppingMadMonk from New Jersey
4.35/5 rDev +5.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.35/5 rDev +5.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Solid black appearance with a very thin but lasting head.
Light carbonation with an above average body. Slight oily slick feel that coats the mouth.
Aroma is bourbon, scotch,malt, coffee, roasted malt.
Taste is malt,coffee,roasted malt, bourbon and wood.
Feb 27, 2023Light carbonation with an above average body. Slight oily slick feel that coats the mouth.
Aroma is bourbon, scotch,malt, coffee, roasted malt.
Taste is malt,coffee,roasted malt, bourbon and wood.
Reviewed by mvanaskie13 from Pennsylvania
4.36/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.36/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Poured into a wide mouth grip shaped glass: color is black, head is tan and presents a thin top and dissipates to a ring and spotty top.
Smell is light bourbon, vanilla, toast, chocolate, espresso, roasted malt.
Taste is more emphatic: bourbon, oak, toast, vanilla, chocolate, espresso, roasted malt, dark fruit, light booziness for this strength.
Mouthfeel is low/moderate carbonation, moderate sweetness, low bitterness but notable boozy feel but still seems smooth.
Overall a smooth feel at nearly 12% with nice cacao and oaked flavor.
Jan 30, 2023Smell is light bourbon, vanilla, toast, chocolate, espresso, roasted malt.
Taste is more emphatic: bourbon, oak, toast, vanilla, chocolate, espresso, roasted malt, dark fruit, light booziness for this strength.
Mouthfeel is low/moderate carbonation, moderate sweetness, low bitterness but notable boozy feel but still seems smooth.
Overall a smooth feel at nearly 12% with nice cacao and oaked flavor.
Black OPS from Brooklyn Brewery
Beer rating:
92 out of
100 with
2586 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!