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:
This is the famous Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout. In the 18th century, Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia, ordered a stout to be sent to her from England. This beer was brewed strong and hoppy to survive the sea voyage, and it arrived in perfect condition. Soon "Russian Imperial Stout" became the toast of the Russian aristocracy. Brewed since 1994, our Black Chocolate Stout has itself become a modern classic, heralded the world over. It achieves its dark chocolate aroma and flavor through the artful blending of six malts and three distinct mashes. Properly kept, it will improve in the bottle for many years. This stout is the toast of the winter season in many countries, and there is nothing better to enjoy with chocolate desserts, cheesecake, ice cream, fine cheeses and roaring fireplaces.
Given this beer’s higher ABV and sturdy character, we think it’s a prime candidate for cellaring. Find a cool, dry spot away from light sources, and see how it changes in the years to come. You never quite know what will happen when you age a beer: perhaps the body will smooth out, notes of vanilla, oak, and tannins will come to the front, or hints of leather and soy sauce will make themselves known. No matter what, remember that beer is meant for drinking, so don’t keep it to yourself for too long.
Added by BeerAdvocate on 12-04-2000
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Ratings: 6,828 | Reviews: 2,853
4.03/5 rDev -2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Rating is based on the Winter 2018 release. Enjoyable bittersweet dark chocolate and heavy roast, a lovely appearance with great retained lacing from an aggressive pour, but a touch of acrid bitterness that takes the roasted notes a slight touch farther than I would prefer.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Rating is based on the Winter 2018 release. Enjoyable bittersweet dark chocolate and heavy roast, a lovely appearance with great retained lacing from an aggressive pour, but a touch of acrid bitterness that takes the roasted notes a slight touch farther than I would prefer.
274 characters
4.8/5 rDev +15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
3.82/5 rDev -8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
3.77/5 rDev -9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Winter 2018 bottling
Pours a light black with no translucence and a fluffy cap of caramel-colored foam; nice retention on the head with some sparse walls and stringy patterns of thicker lacing left around the glass.
Aromas of dark cacao nibs and roasty malts dominate; lighter hints of caramel, toffee, and milk chocolate influence the bouquet smoothly in the background.
Taste of dark chocolate and toasted granola upfront, with lighter tones of dark berries/stone fruits, smooth malty roast, and a faint milk chocolate imparting the slightest sweetness toward the finish; bits of booze are somewhat prevalent on the latter part of the profile.
Mouthfeel shows a nice medium body, slightly sticky, and with lower levels of carbonation with an occasional odd spike; hints of booze come through on occasion, but not enough to become a consistent distraction; a well incorporated package of sweet, dry, and roasty.
Integration of dark chocolate really evens out the expected stone fruit and dark berry tones, striking a nice balance where plenty of lighter (mainly sweeter) notes are given space to shine through. I do think this didn’t quite reach the next level, though, as the profile was muddied in spots, and the mouthfeel suffered from the occasional thinness and inconsistency. Overall a really solid brew that does shine in its approachable flavor and drinkability.
1,378 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Winter 2018 bottling
Pours a light black with no translucence and a fluffy cap of caramel-colored foam; nice retention on the head with some sparse walls and stringy patterns of thicker lacing left around the glass.
Aromas of dark cacao nibs and roasty malts dominate; lighter hints of caramel, toffee, and milk chocolate influence the bouquet smoothly in the background.
Taste of dark chocolate and toasted granola upfront, with lighter tones of dark berries/stone fruits, smooth malty roast, and a faint milk chocolate imparting the slightest sweetness toward the finish; bits of booze are somewhat prevalent on the latter part of the profile.
Mouthfeel shows a nice medium body, slightly sticky, and with lower levels of carbonation with an occasional odd spike; hints of booze come through on occasion, but not enough to become a consistent distraction; a well incorporated package of sweet, dry, and roasty.
Integration of dark chocolate really evens out the expected stone fruit and dark berry tones, striking a nice balance where plenty of lighter (mainly sweeter) notes are given space to shine through. I do think this didn’t quite reach the next level, though, as the profile was muddied in spots, and the mouthfeel suffered from the occasional thinness and inconsistency. Overall a really solid brew that does shine in its approachable flavor and drinkability.
1,378 characters
3.81/5 rDev -8.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
4.11/5 rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Poured a beautiful pitch black, with a finger of Carmel head. Solid lacing. Not much retention. The smell is outstanding! The chocolate notes dominate from start to finish. The chocolate that dominated the nose takes a back seat to the smokey taste. Very good Russian!
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look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Poured a beautiful pitch black, with a finger of Carmel head. Solid lacing. Not much retention. The smell is outstanding! The chocolate notes dominate from start to finish. The chocolate that dominated the nose takes a back seat to the smokey taste. Very good Russian!
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4.21/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Served on tap in a 13 oz (385 ml) goblet at Alamo Drafthouse in Yonkers, NY.
A: Pours a very dark brown to black color with a one finger, tan head, low retention, and solid lacing.
S: Very light aromas of cafe au lait and chocolate.
T: Semisweet with flavors that follow the nose, although bitterness quite strong.
M: Medium bodied with low carbonation.
O: Tasty and enjoyable.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Served on tap in a 13 oz (385 ml) goblet at Alamo Drafthouse in Yonkers, NY.
A: Pours a very dark brown to black color with a one finger, tan head, low retention, and solid lacing.
S: Very light aromas of cafe au lait and chocolate.
T: Semisweet with flavors that follow the nose, although bitterness quite strong.
M: Medium bodied with low carbonation.
O: Tasty and enjoyable.
377 characters
4.06/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.24/5 rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.27/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.24/5 rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
3.55/5 rDev -14.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
4.09/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.28/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.08/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
This is another brew that I cellared in fall of 2016 and it also cellars well...and still pours a nice dark almost ebony body with a hearty lite tan foam that dissipates fairly quick, but leaves a nice foam around edge...could be the cellaring.
As for the aroma...it has mellowed some, but yet it still has the hint of the roasted malts, chocolate & slight coffee to it along with the ABV a lil' more pronounced.
The taste in your face ABV with the chocolates, malts, & coffee along for the ride, and what a ride to take...Well worth admission!!!
As for feel I fell it has mellowed with the ABV upfront, but that's me...it is smooth with some very slight dryness at the end, but very pleasant at the same time.
Either way you have this brew (cellared or fresh)...it is a win win, cellared or not...it delivers! Enjoy!
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look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
This is another brew that I cellared in fall of 2016 and it also cellars well...and still pours a nice dark almost ebony body with a hearty lite tan foam that dissipates fairly quick, but leaves a nice foam around edge...could be the cellaring.
As for the aroma...it has mellowed some, but yet it still has the hint of the roasted malts, chocolate & slight coffee to it along with the ABV a lil' more pronounced.
The taste in your face ABV with the chocolates, malts, & coffee along for the ride, and what a ride to take...Well worth admission!!!
As for feel I fell it has mellowed with the ABV upfront, but that's me...it is smooth with some very slight dryness at the end, but very pleasant at the same time.
Either way you have this brew (cellared or fresh)...it is a win win, cellared or not...it delivers! Enjoy!
817 characters
Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout from Brooklyn Brewery
Beer rating:
4.15 out of
5 with
6,828 ratings
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