Smaug Stout (Hobbit Series)
Fish Brewing Company / Fishbowl Brewpub

Smaug Stout (Hobbit Series)Smaug Stout (Hobbit Series)
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From:
Fish Brewing Company / Fishbowl Brewpub
 
Washington, United States
Style:
American Imperial Stout
ABV:
8.5%
Score:
83
Avg:
3.65 | pDev: 11.78%
Reviews:
33
Ratings:
123
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jan 26, 2019
Added:
Aug 24, 2014
Wants:
  15
Gots:
  32
Smaug Stout is styled after a classic Russian Imperial Stout, but with a subtle hint of Habanero chilis to remind you of the fire and danger awaiting you in your journey to The Lonely Mountain. Pronounced notes of Coffee and Chocolate balanced with Northwest Hops and a touch of heat produce an exceptional imperial stout, a worthy reward for your hard-fought journey.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by J_Dub:
Photo of J_Dub
Rated by J_Dub from Texas

4.24/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Dec 27, 2014
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.06 by firkingroovin from Illinois

Jan 26, 2019
Photo of 2beerdogs
Reviewed by 2beerdogs from California

3.28/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Pours a deep brown with a reticent cocoa colored head that quickly retreats to a delicate ring. Very feeble lacing.
Smell is very much in the traditional Russian Imperial Stout vain. Malt is sweet but mostly roasted, peaty, with hints of leather and rich earth. No cloying sweetness here. Ever so faint hint at a spiciness.
Taste is not following the smell. The malt comes through tepid, frail. I'm really not getting any "chile" except for a slightly spicy, green, vegetal note. Not much more to say here.
Mouthfeel is rather thin. No play of carbonation to mention.
Overall, I'm somewhat disappointed. If it had a little more traditional flavor and mouthfeel I think this could be redeemed.
Nov 27, 2017
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Reviewed by craftbeersweden from Sweden

3.83/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Vintage 2014 Edition.

Bought at Total Wine & More in February 2015.

The beer pours black with a two finger high brown head that sinks down pretty fast with a fizzing noice.

Nose: Roasted malt, coffee, dark chocolate and dark fruit.
Taste: A lot of roasted malt, dark chocolate and coffee grain. Here is also a distinct taste of habanero pepper. A bit of sweetness in the taste.
Mouth: Full body. Medium to light carbonation. Very dry ending with a nice bitterness.
The alcohol is in the background but is hidden well by the heavy roasted malt and the Habanero Chili.
Feb 13, 2017
 
Rated: 3.3 by NeverSettle from Texas

Jan 07, 2017
 
Rated: 4 by zbooks from Texas

Jan 07, 2017
Photo of Bitterbill
Reviewed by Bitterbill from Wyoming

4.24/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pitch black pour with small tan foam.

Smells of roasted malt, dark chocolate, light malty sweetness.

Tastes very roasty and the dark chocolate shines as well. A bit of a sweet note going on too. The finish has some chili pepper heat, but it's on the mild side.

Creamy body and very drinkable.

Quite a treat this is.
Dec 06, 2016
 
Rated: 3.66 by BdM from Netherlands

Nov 06, 2016
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Reviewed by NastyNorseman from New York

3.77/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
This stout is as black as Mordor. Pours dark from bomber to pint glass foaming up from the depths of hades. Head disapates into a ring resembling the ear of Sauran with thinkness at its edges and a thin film at the center. Smells of toasted barley, burnt coffee, and dark chocolate with some peppery smolderings at the backend of the smell. Tastes is imperial, coco, coffee, and habernero so subtle but present. Finishes bitter, burnt, with a touch of heat, albeit faint. Not a bad showing for old Smaug, but I will say the he wasn't as impressive as his legend suggests. Pretty good, but not grand and minicing as I had hoped for.
Sep 10, 2016
 
Rated: 3.56 by monk2021 from Texas

Sep 05, 2016
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Reviewed by Brutaltruth from Ohio

3.67/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
From the 22 oz bomber in a snifter. This beefy American stout pours a deep black with brown
highlights with a moderate head of light tan foam that dissipates to a thick ring, thin pool, and
decent lacing. Nose of hops and charred malt with a touch of coffee. Flavors lightly exceed the
nose with coffee char on the front and middle, subtle chocolate hits on the middle but is overcome
by the char and bittering hops and finishing with a bitter malt and hops aftertaste. Warmth from chili
peppers comes more into the picture with warmth....a lot of warmth. It is there but must be warm
although it is hard to discern at times between this and hop bitterness since it is so muted.
Decent mouth feel, low carbonation. Overall a decent brew but lacks finesse. It is not as balanced as
it should be. My second brew from this brewery that I was excited to try from the journey to Columbus.
While it is a double stout it is too hoppy for the style and reminiscent of night of the living stout with a touch
of peppers and a bit more alcohol kick.
Jul 10, 2016
 
Rated: 3.75 by Gkruszewski from New York

Jul 09, 2016
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Reviewed by Rogerlb from California

3.49/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Black as ink. Has a slight tan head that sticks around and leaves light but persistent lacing. Alcohol legs on the glass when you swirl it.

Smell is of dark fruit, hops and cold coffee.

Taste is a roast bomb. And Malts! A sweetness, probably from maltiness. I get mushy plums and hoppy bitter. The malt is burnt rather than roasted, not sure I like it. Gets oily as it goes along and there's no heat from the habanero peppers to speak of. A smoky finish befitting the dragon tie-in. Almost ashy in fact.

Feels like a RIS for sure, with roastiness and burnt maltiness the predominant notes. It seems to lack nuance. A little heavy and blunt. I wanted peppers. Shrug. As the drink warms (about 30 minutes; I'm sipping it slowly) the taste opens up to predominantly dark fruit and malts. More balanced once I've had a chance to let it breath.

But the smoke and burnt seems to be blunting the promise. And hiding what little pepper they may be in here.

This beer is going for bargain prices lately, possibly past its "best by" date.
Jun 10, 2016
 
Rated: 3.46 by khargro2 from Tennessee

Jun 06, 2016
 
Rated: 4.1 by smithj4 from New York

Apr 21, 2016
 
Rated: 3.66 by Baxter_ii from Texas

Apr 02, 2016
Photo of TheSixthRing
Reviewed by TheSixthRing from California

3.94/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Appearance - Pours near black with cola brown edging. The head peaks at a finger's width and is cocoa powder in color. Fair retention, resulting in a thin, broken layer of suds.

Smell - Smokey, charred aroma hits first, then subtle notes of chocolate peek through.

Taste - Follows the nose a bit. Definitely a smokey flavor throughout, but several notes add to the overall profile; Semi-sweet chocolate, and a hint of roasted coffee. A ghostly trace of black cherry. Mild heat from the chili peppers come through near the finish. A bit of that heat, along with sweet smoke character lingers in the aftertaste.

Mouthfeel - Medium to full in body with moderate carbonation. Decent smoothness with a slightly dry finish.

Overal - Still drinking strong at about 18 months of age. Reminds me a bit of Grand Teton Black Cauldron. Man, I miss that beer. I love me some smokey, chocolatey stouts. Picked this up at the dollar store of all places. I remember seeing these a year ago for $8 a pop. Well worth the investment. I bought 8 of them and may go back for more!
Mar 11, 2016
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Reviewed by mactrail from Washington

3.24/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 2.5
Pretty bizarre stuff. After a few sips, it seems a little scary. Sharp fruity taste that dives into some heat. It just keeps getting hotter. Dark brown color with adequate foam in the chalice. Mouthfeel is nicely sudsy. Then there's the bitter edge. Some sugary business but it finishes dry. Overall, it's harsh and unlikable. From the 22 oz bottle purchased in Palm Springs.
Feb 29, 2016
 
Rated: 3.84 by elglueckert from Montana

Feb 26, 2016
 
Rated: 3.69 by Sweffin from Wisconsin

Feb 26, 2016
Smaug Stout (Hobbit Series) from Fish Brewing Company / Fishbowl Brewpub
Beer rating: 83 out of 100 with 123 ratings