Black Chocolate Stout
Brooklyn Brewery


- From:
- Brooklyn Brewery
- New York, United States
- Style:
- Russian Imperial Stout
Ranked #227 - ABV:
- 10%
- Score:
- 92
Ranked #5,082 - Avg:
- 4.15 | pDev: 10.36%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 2,957
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- May 19, 2026
- Added:
- Dec 04, 2000
- Wants:
- 492
- Gots:
- 1,559
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.
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.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by driskey:
Reviewed by driskey from Missouri
3.82/5 rDev -8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
3.82/5 rDev -8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Actually tastes like dark chocolate. Smooth mouthfeel. Doesn’t taste like 10% ABV at all. Extremely drinkable. I would definitely drink this again. Excellent.
Dec 22, 2025More User Ratings:
Rated by CruzinCooler from New Jersey
3.75/5 rDev -9.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.75/5 rDev -9.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A roasty dark chocolate, vanilla and boozy. Nice ABV of 10%.
Feb 19, 2026Rated by Maxamiilion2009 from Illinois
5/5 rDev +20.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
5/5 rDev +20.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
A strong and decadent Imperial Stout. Very rich and powerful and one of the best in America!
Jan 06, 2026Rated by Manta200 from Kentucky
4.11/5 rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.11/5 rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
6-pack of bottles from Doug.
Dec 31, 2025Reviewed by blueshawk69 from Kansas
3.75/5 rDev -9.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.75/5 rDev -9.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
(review from February 2017) Ages well for years, nice roasty, chocy, thick imperial that's smooth for a 10%er.Sure wish some distributor would get Brooklyn in KS (hint)
Nice roasty, choco, malty imperial with good palate heft that's smooth for a 10%er.
Dec 21, 2025Nice roasty, choco, malty imperial with good palate heft that's smooth for a 10%er.
Reviewed by travis1108 from Missouri
3.81/5 rDev -8.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.81/5 rDev -8.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Didn't get the thick head everyone is describing. In fact there was none at all. Beautiful lacing when swirled though. Creamy but not cloying. Malty and chocolatey on the drink. But then an unpleasant tingle on the sides of my tongue...kind of acidic. Pleasant aftertaste though. Perfect alcohol content for this brew. I will have to pick up another bottle. Maybe I got a bad batch on the head thing, but the beer was not flat at all so I don't know what happened there
Dec 02, 2025Reviewed by DarkLordScott from Wisconsin
3.94/5 rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.94/5 rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours black with a thick, frothy, bubbly caramel colored head leaving gorgeous strands of foam clinging to the glass. The aroma is thick, roasted malt, with a hint of lightly sweet chocolate. Taste is thick, creamy and all roasted malt. Like the smell, a hint of chocolate is also present but never rises above the roasted malt.
Nov 26, 2025Reviewed by Qbert from Illinois
4.21/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.21/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Black with a thick tan head. Aroma is chocolate and raisin. Taste is chocolate with hints of coffee, raisin, and roast, but there's a surprising touch of hops in the finish. Body is medium. Alcohol is well hidden.
Not the most mind-blowing RIS but a very satisfying one.
Nov 07, 2025Not the most mind-blowing RIS but a very satisfying one.
Rated by ttoadee from Texas
4.49/5 rDev +8.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.49/5 rDev +8.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
RB transfer
Sep 20, 2025Reviewed by Foxbush from Virginia
4.44/5 rDev +7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.44/5 rDev +7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
12 oz bottle from Deltapie in Deltaville, VA. This stout is a why I enjoy reviewing and drinking the world's best beers and ales. The stout poured a deep black with a tan head and limited lacing. The aroma of roasted malts, dark chocolate and hints of licorice are experienced. This is stout you want have if it is your last one. The stout flavors are complex and enjoyable. The roasted malts are blended well with chocolate flavors. You detect more licorice in the flavors. The stout has medium body and soft carbonation.
Jun 25, 2025Reviewed by Brook82 from Ohio
4.42/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.42/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Jet black black color with tan foam that left fair amount of lacing in a pint glass. For an imperial stout at 10%, it didn't smell overly alcoholic. Produced a smooth taste and had a relaxed feel. Really enjoyed and would purchase again.
Feb 15, 2025Reviewed by Sinfull from New York
4.46/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.46/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Deep black in color with a small coffee head. The aroma of chocolate and coffee dominates. Coffee , chocolate, and dark fruits in taste. Roasted, warming finish. Great!!!
Jan 21, 2025
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