Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout | Brooklyn Brewery
Brewed by:
Brooklyn Brewery
New York, United States
brooklynbrewery.com
Style: Russian Imperial Stout
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 10.00%
Availability: Winter
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by BeerAdvocate on 12-04-2000
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Ratings: 6,681 | Reviews: 2,811
4.25/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
3.55/5 rDev -14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Picked it up and my local grocery for a fair price, looked interesting. Poured a dark black and had instant aroma of cocoa, maybe even a little bit of vanilla. With it being 10% i could taste the alcohol almost immediately. Good chocolate flavor though. Good to review, but most likely will not purchase again.
310 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Picked it up and my local grocery for a fair price, looked interesting. Poured a dark black and had instant aroma of cocoa, maybe even a little bit of vanilla. With it being 10% i could taste the alcohol almost immediately. Good chocolate flavor though. Good to review, but most likely will not purchase again.
310 characters
4.62/5 rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
4.25/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.34/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
OMFG! How is it possible that a) I have NEVER previously reviewed this beer & b) it will be my 4,400th on this site?!? I remember sharing a then-vintage bottle with Garrett Oliver & FerMentor Lew Bryson at the State College Beer Expo in 2000(?)/2001(?). I LOVE Brooklyn Brewery & I have visited many times over. I am flabbergasted that I have not reviewed this beer until now.
From the bottle: "This is the famous Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout. Descended from the Russian Imperial Stouts of 18th Century, our Black Chocolate Stout has itself become a modern classic, heralded the world over. A blend of six malts produces its dark chocolate aroma and flavor. There is nothing better to enjoy with rich desserts, fine cheeses, and roaring fireplaces."; "The Legendary Russian Imperial Stout".
Today is T, 20 June 2017.
Winter 2016: I Pop!ped the cap & commenced a slow, gentle pour into an awaiting glass. Once decanted, a vigorous in-glass swirl raised a finger of dense, deep-tan/light-brown head with moderate retention. Color was Black/Opaque (SRM = 44), allowing ZERO light penetration. Nose smelled less like chocolate candy and more like fudge brownies. It was very rich and chocolaty, but also with a breadiness from the malt. Mouthfeel was big and full, like a scoop or dollop on my tongue. I let it lay there & rolled it around to better get a sense of its flavors. Interestingly, it not only had the rich chocolaty fudginess that I noted on the nose, but it also tasted of cherries, raisins, tobacco & charcoal smoke. Phew! Another no-playin'-around beer. Finish was dry, not sweet at all, with lingering cherry-chocolate flavors, like a torte.
Next, on W, 21 June 2017:
"Limited Bottling - Winter '14 - '15": I Pop!ped the cap & performed a very gentle pour. The in-glass swirl raised a brief finger of foamy, deep-tan/light-brown head with modest retention. Color was Black/Opaque (SRM = 44), allowing ZERO light penetration. Nose was really rich with a fudgy, chocolaty, brownie-like quality, underlain by a light smokiness and a malty breadiness. Mouthfeel was somewhat lighter than in the more recent batch. It was not as thick or chewy, but it was still bigger than simply "medium-bodied". The taste was MUCH more chocolaty without any of the fruity flavors noted earlier. It was like a rich, fudgy brownie at this point, almost a dessert beer, although a smokiness kept it in check. Finish was dry which I might have thought unexpected had I not noted such in the fresher batch.
"Limited Bottling - Winter '12 - '13"; "In the last century, British brewers made strong stouts for the Czar's Court. They were called Imperial Stouts. Our Black Chocolate Stout, brewed once yearly for the winter season, achieves a chocolate aroma and flavor through the artful blending of six varieties of black, chocolate and roasted malts."
Having Pop!ped the cap & conducted a gentle pour, the in-glass swirl raised a brief finger of foamy, dark-tan/light-brown head with modest retention. Color was Black/Opaque (SRM = 44), allowing ZERO light penetration. Nose had begun to take on a pronounced smokiness, more roasty than chocolaty. Mouthfeel continued to moderate, becoming less thick & chewy with each older iteration. The taste was more like raw baker's chocolate now, nary a hint of sweetness, but with a smoky, charcoal bitterness. Finish was quite dry at this point.
3,387 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
OMFG! How is it possible that a) I have NEVER previously reviewed this beer & b) it will be my 4,400th on this site?!? I remember sharing a then-vintage bottle with Garrett Oliver & FerMentor Lew Bryson at the State College Beer Expo in 2000(?)/2001(?). I LOVE Brooklyn Brewery & I have visited many times over. I am flabbergasted that I have not reviewed this beer until now.
From the bottle: "This is the famous Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout. Descended from the Russian Imperial Stouts of 18th Century, our Black Chocolate Stout has itself become a modern classic, heralded the world over. A blend of six malts produces its dark chocolate aroma and flavor. There is nothing better to enjoy with rich desserts, fine cheeses, and roaring fireplaces."; "The Legendary Russian Imperial Stout".
Today is T, 20 June 2017.
Winter 2016: I Pop!ped the cap & commenced a slow, gentle pour into an awaiting glass. Once decanted, a vigorous in-glass swirl raised a finger of dense, deep-tan/light-brown head with moderate retention. Color was Black/Opaque (SRM = 44), allowing ZERO light penetration. Nose smelled less like chocolate candy and more like fudge brownies. It was very rich and chocolaty, but also with a breadiness from the malt. Mouthfeel was big and full, like a scoop or dollop on my tongue. I let it lay there & rolled it around to better get a sense of its flavors. Interestingly, it not only had the rich chocolaty fudginess that I noted on the nose, but it also tasted of cherries, raisins, tobacco & charcoal smoke. Phew! Another no-playin'-around beer. Finish was dry, not sweet at all, with lingering cherry-chocolate flavors, like a torte.
Next, on W, 21 June 2017:
"Limited Bottling - Winter '14 - '15": I Pop!ped the cap & performed a very gentle pour. The in-glass swirl raised a brief finger of foamy, deep-tan/light-brown head with modest retention. Color was Black/Opaque (SRM = 44), allowing ZERO light penetration. Nose was really rich with a fudgy, chocolaty, brownie-like quality, underlain by a light smokiness and a malty breadiness. Mouthfeel was somewhat lighter than in the more recent batch. It was not as thick or chewy, but it was still bigger than simply "medium-bodied". The taste was MUCH more chocolaty without any of the fruity flavors noted earlier. It was like a rich, fudgy brownie at this point, almost a dessert beer, although a smokiness kept it in check. Finish was dry which I might have thought unexpected had I not noted such in the fresher batch.
"Limited Bottling - Winter '12 - '13"; "In the last century, British brewers made strong stouts for the Czar's Court. They were called Imperial Stouts. Our Black Chocolate Stout, brewed once yearly for the winter season, achieves a chocolate aroma and flavor through the artful blending of six varieties of black, chocolate and roasted malts."
Having Pop!ped the cap & conducted a gentle pour, the in-glass swirl raised a brief finger of foamy, dark-tan/light-brown head with modest retention. Color was Black/Opaque (SRM = 44), allowing ZERO light penetration. Nose had begun to take on a pronounced smokiness, more roasty than chocolaty. Mouthfeel continued to moderate, becoming less thick & chewy with each older iteration. The taste was more like raw baker's chocolate now, nary a hint of sweetness, but with a smoky, charcoal bitterness. Finish was quite dry at this point.
3,387 characters
4.5/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
It poured a pitch black leaving the same color body. A one inch foamy yet level dark tan head appeared and lasted for a good two minutes before dieing into the body of my nonic. Some nice foamy and clingy lacing appeared in rings. The smell had dark chocolate up front coming forth in a roasty sort of way. Some coffee notes presented themselves as the beer warmed. The taste was sweet and bitter in different aspects at different times as the chocolate comes and goes and the coffee comes and goes. The palate was about a medium with a nice smoothness coating the mouth and tongue. I’d say the drinkability isn’t that high, but hey for a RIS, this should be more of a sipper anyways as it shows with a fairly high ABV. Overall, this was a nice winter sipper that I would gladly come back to.
796 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
It poured a pitch black leaving the same color body. A one inch foamy yet level dark tan head appeared and lasted for a good two minutes before dieing into the body of my nonic. Some nice foamy and clingy lacing appeared in rings. The smell had dark chocolate up front coming forth in a roasty sort of way. Some coffee notes presented themselves as the beer warmed. The taste was sweet and bitter in different aspects at different times as the chocolate comes and goes and the coffee comes and goes. The palate was about a medium with a nice smoothness coating the mouth and tongue. I’d say the drinkability isn’t that high, but hey for a RIS, this should be more of a sipper anyways as it shows with a fairly high ABV. Overall, this was a nice winter sipper that I would gladly come back to.
796 characters
4.62/5 rDev +11.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Saw it and had to try it.
Look- Dark cola brown, almost black. The head is dark tan and very thin. Not what I would call true lacing, just a slight syrupy residue that settles after a moment and is gone.
Smell - An above review mentioned soy sauce, and I think that fits. Just a hint of chocolate.
Taste- Chocolate, a bit of smoke and then the alcohol in good balance. Not too bitter. Just a tIny bit sweet.
Feel- Light/medium body . Swallow is very smooth. Aftertaste is that of slightly chalky, mildly bitter cocoa.
Overall- I generally prefer my Stouts dry, and this one pleased me. The little bit of sweetness was what this one needed. I recommend it as a nightcap, because the alcohol hits you fast. I would buy it again. Generally, I like to suggest food pairings in my reviews, but this beer probably is best unaccompanied. It is also better at room temperature.
879 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Saw it and had to try it.
Look- Dark cola brown, almost black. The head is dark tan and very thin. Not what I would call true lacing, just a slight syrupy residue that settles after a moment and is gone.
Smell - An above review mentioned soy sauce, and I think that fits. Just a hint of chocolate.
Taste- Chocolate, a bit of smoke and then the alcohol in good balance. Not too bitter. Just a tIny bit sweet.
Feel- Light/medium body . Swallow is very smooth. Aftertaste is that of slightly chalky, mildly bitter cocoa.
Overall- I generally prefer my Stouts dry, and this one pleased me. The little bit of sweetness was what this one needed. I recommend it as a nightcap, because the alcohol hits you fast. I would buy it again. Generally, I like to suggest food pairings in my reviews, but this beer probably is best unaccompanied. It is also better at room temperature.
879 characters
4.34/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
5/5 rDev +20.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
My all time favorite Stout. Add a bit of patience (18-24 months aging @ cellar temp) and it becomes even better
111 characters
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
My all time favorite Stout. Add a bit of patience (18-24 months aging @ cellar temp) and it becomes even better
111 characters
4.51/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
4.52/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.25/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
3.98/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.37/5 rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
2.25/5 rDev -45.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2
Smells like soy sauce, taste like soy sauce enema.
50 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2
Smells like soy sauce, taste like soy sauce enema.
50 characters
4.52/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.69/5 rDev +13%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
*Limited Bottling Winter 2014-2015*
WOW. Having this beer fresh..I liked it. Aging it 2 Years I LOVE it.
Pours Black with a brown head. Aroma is a mix of blueberries/strawberries/blackberries/raspberries - and some dark chocolate. Taste is nutty/berry/dark chocolatey dream. Feel is light, silky and smooth. There are some slight boozey notes in both the taste and aroma Overall, I've found that aging this beer definitely brings out its finer qualities. Aged for a year.. and you get more of the dark chocolate profile. Aged for two years and you get the fruitier profile. Definitely age a 4 pack and see what happens. Interesting to see what another year or two will do, although that might be pushing it.
709 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
*Limited Bottling Winter 2014-2015*
WOW. Having this beer fresh..I liked it. Aging it 2 Years I LOVE it.
Pours Black with a brown head. Aroma is a mix of blueberries/strawberries/blackberries/raspberries - and some dark chocolate. Taste is nutty/berry/dark chocolatey dream. Feel is light, silky and smooth. There are some slight boozey notes in both the taste and aroma Overall, I've found that aging this beer definitely brings out its finer qualities. Aged for a year.. and you get more of the dark chocolate profile. Aged for two years and you get the fruitier profile. Definitely age a 4 pack and see what happens. Interesting to see what another year or two will do, although that might be pushing it.
709 characters
3.75/5 rDev -9.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.59/5 rDev -13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I'm trying to like imperial stouts and this one is better than Old Rasputin. I think generally don't like stouts unless they have some other extra taste, such as the Dragon's Milk with the bourbon and vanilla flavors. The chocolate came through on this one but the roast/burnt flavor still dominated too much for me. The mouthfeel was a little thin as well for my tastes.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I'm trying to like imperial stouts and this one is better than Old Rasputin. I think generally don't like stouts unless they have some other extra taste, such as the Dragon's Milk with the bourbon and vanilla flavors. The chocolate came through on this one but the roast/burnt flavor still dominated too much for me. The mouthfeel was a little thin as well for my tastes.
371 characters
4.1/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours pitch black with a thin tan head. Head dissipates leaving no residual head. Beer appears pretty thick.
Smell is roasty, with notes of chocolate, and some hoppy bitterness on the finish.
Taste is very roasty and chocolatey up front. Nice smooth roasted malts with some oaky notes with some hoppy bitterness on the finish.
Feel is medium to full bodied. Medium carbonation. Mild bitterness leaves a slightly dry finish.
Overall a really well done Russian Imperial Stout. Always a joy to drink.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours pitch black with a thin tan head. Head dissipates leaving no residual head. Beer appears pretty thick.
Smell is roasty, with notes of chocolate, and some hoppy bitterness on the finish.
Taste is very roasty and chocolatey up front. Nice smooth roasted malts with some oaky notes with some hoppy bitterness on the finish.
Feel is medium to full bodied. Medium carbonation. Mild bitterness leaves a slightly dry finish.
Overall a really well done Russian Imperial Stout. Always a joy to drink.
504 characters
Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout from Brooklyn Brewery
4.15
out of 5
based on 6,681 ratings.
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4