Blackout Stout
Great Lakes Brewing Co.

Best by date of 6 May, 2015.

The beer pours out into a Duvel glass a deep brownish black color with a 1/4-1/2" dark tan head that soon begins to recede leaving some foam, some speckles and some legs of lacing on the side. There's a nice irregular island of foam and a thin layer covering the rest of the liquid. Sipping creates sheets of foam that quickly become small speckles, patches and legs clinging to the glass. Some foam remains visible even to the end of the beer.

The aromas include dark roasted malt blended nicely with some dark chocolate. There are also what seems like touches of caramel and molasses mixed in as well.

The flavors are much as expected from the nose but with a touch of overall added sweetness that softens and smooths out the other flavors. There's no burn from the alcohol and it is definitely well concealed, so that may be the origin of the softening sweetness.

The mouthfeel is on the full bodied side and thick enough to be almost chewy. There's enough carbonation to create a creamy feel. The finish begins about mid-way through as the chocolate and sweetness give way to the roasted malt and bitterness. Last to leave the scene is that touch of dark roast and hop bitterness that lingers for a bit on the back of the palate.

This is a very nice Russian Imperial Stout that deserves to be ranked among some of the best out there. While it may or may not be world class it is definitely within shouting distance and what is even better is that it is produced on a regular basis and relatively easy to obtain. I'll be having this one again. My only thought about improving this beer is that I would prefer the sweetness to disappear a bit earlier in the finish so that the ending is a wee bit dryer and with a touch more prominance given to the bitterness.

Poured the pint can into a stemless snifter.
Dark, with a khaki thin head. The remaining collar produces little lacing.
A rich toasted, roasted flavorful brew. The dark malt hints of coconut, chocolate, dried fruit, caramelized brown sugar, warming ABV. Pleasant bitterness.

4pk of 16oz cans (13 NOV28) poured into a snifter

 

16 oz can poured into a snifter.

A: Black pour with a finger and a half of beige head. Retention is great. Chunky foam collar of lacing.

S: Blackstrap molasses, chocolate sauce, and fudge brownies up front. Barrel pulls up shortly after with a lot of sweetened corny bourbon, and a big black pepper note. Big spices. Toffee and caramel. Baked apple tart with spices. Sweet and okay with a lot of vanillins.

T: Follows the nose. Lots of malt up front with a blackstrap molasses and fudgey leaning. Deep notes of roast soon cover that up. French roast coffee, soot, and smoke. The bourbon barrel stomps all over things, bringing bold flavors of corny and peppery bourbon and a lot of woody oak. Vague fruit skins and baked apple tart. Cola. Spike of alcohol. Drying finish sees the more roasty and acrid side of the malt return, and lingering soot and smoke close the experience.

M: Full with a sense of gently pressing weight. Lithe and airy with a pervasive creaminess. Slightly chewy. Stiffly prickling carbonation. Deep alcohol warmth that buts up against being downright hot. Mild oak tannin.

O: This must have been one wet barrel, because it tastes like somebody just dumped a shot of bourbon in here. It's a bit aggressive on all fronts, between the bourbon heat and the acrid heavy roast notes. It works though. It isn't for the faint of heart, but if you love big boozy barrel aged stouts then this will be right up your alley.

Pours a very dark brown with a moderate dark-tan head. A robust malty flavor with heavy elements of dark chocolate. The final notes are hoppy and predominated by a tasteful roasted bitterness with hints of fruit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picked up a single from the Blue Door Bottleshop in Hendersonville 10-7-23 for $4.25. Best by 7-15-23; consumed 2-26-23.

Beer poured blackout black with a nice light tan white head.

Nose has notes of heavy roasted malts and dark chocolate.

Taste is a heavy roasted malt base that gives a nice dose of dark chocolate and coffee in my aspirations. Finishes with a nice roasty and hoppy bitterness but it is not astringent.

Mouthfeel is very nice, medium to heavy bodied and very smooth.

Overall a very enjoyable RIS. Glad to have finally tried this classic!