Intellectual Property
District 96 Beer Factory

 

 

Traded for this recently as I hadn't had a Stout from District 96 before and wasn't sure what to expect with this. While not as good as their more notable IPA's, this was a fun beer that would make a great nightcap or dessert on it's own, as it was plenty chocolatey and sweet from the first sip onward.

No surprise that this had a dark pour to it but it was thinner than I thought as the head was a minimal mocha with big bubbles that quickly burst. The lacing followed suit as it was nearly nonexistent save for a few spots near the middle of my pint glass. Tons of raspberry puree and syrup in the nose as the sweetness was quite potent and almost artificial in nature. The chocolate syrup, mousse, fruit juice, and cocoa powder emerged once this warmed up as it was quite hard to pick out the vanilla until the aftertaste started to kick in. More dark fruit in the form of cherry and raisins entered the fray on my palate as there were hints of oats and rich coffee beans that gave this a nice depth.

The carbonation was light and the heft was strong as this was plenty boozy, almost making this feel like cherries jubilee or the like. No need to light this on fire though as the stickiness on my palate and lips left me wanting more, along with it's pleasant warming effect. Not the best offering from District 96 and yes, this needed a date on the bottom of the can but I'd reach for it again given how long winter's going to last in these parts this year!

Can from Vinyl Beer on the UE s NYC . Pours a a very dark opaque brown with a finger of medium dark tan head, nice lacing, smell is sweet roasted dark malts, coffee grounds, dark chocolate, and black raspberry on the finish, hint is of licorice and laffy taffy, taste is boozy sour raspberry, sweet sour cherry liqueur, bitter dark chocolate and roast finish and lingering raspberry, feel is medium bodied, limited carbonation. Raspberry is definitely there, but something about the malts and raspberry give it a grain alcohol booziness, it improves at it warms, like melted black raspberry ice cream and dark chocolate cherry liqueur candy.

 

On draught at Burger Loft. It pours a dark walnut - nearly black - with a creamy, khaki-colored head and thick film of lacing. On the nose there is fresh coffee, milk chocolate, nuts, vanilla, and a whiff of raspberry. It's fragrant. The taste opens with sweet, dark chocolate and a strong dose of fresh, tart raspberry. The berries taste like they were just picked. There are also notes of vanilla coffee, and earthy nuts. As the glass warmed, I noticed a hint of tobacco at the finish. There is only the slightest bitterness. It's like drinking a slice of black forest cake. Very flavorful! The mouthfeel is moderately thick and creamy with pleasant carbonation and a warming 10% ABV. Overall, this Stout is just delightful. D96 is better known for its IPAs but they really know how to brew a big stout. This is really first rate!

Smells like raspberries, tastes like raspberries, burps like raspberries. As so long as you enjoy raspberries...with a layer of bitter dark chocolate, you should enjoy this. Fruity, creamy, and in no way indicative of 10% abv. If you are fed up with the flood of pastry stouts, but still enjoy a strong adjunct here and there you won't be dissatisfied with this concoction... unless you hate raspberries, then stay away.