-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Blackout Stout - Barrel-Aged
Great Lakes Brewing Co.
- From:
- Great Lakes Brewing Co.
- Ohio, United States
- Style:
- Russian Imperial Stout
Ranked #53 - ABV:
- 12.5%
- Score:
- 96
Ranked #799 - Avg:
- 4.35 | pDev: 8.51%
- Reviews:
- 450
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Mar 05, 2024
- Added:
- Nov 29, 2005
- Wants:
- 1,360
- Gots:
- 342
Bold and dark as a power-less metropolis, our Imperial Stout commemorates the infamous 2003 blackout that briefly left some 55 million people utterly unplugged.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by phattysbox:
Reviewed by phattysbox from New York
4.64/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.64/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From a trade with clockworkorange - thanks for the brew!!
Shared among friends and poured into DFH snifter glass. With an aggressive pour, this brew comes out jet black and viscous. Hardly any head, and what head there was dissapears into a thin ring of lace.
The smell was the best thing about this brew. Bourbon, vanilla and nice oak undertones, followed by a sweet malty base. The nose gets better as the brew warms but the alcohol does get noticably hotter. Initial taste is all vanilla! Sweet malts pervade from front to back with a clear bourbon undertow. Hop profile is minimal and could barely detect any. Mouthfeel is thick, creamy and velvety smooth.
For me drinkability was a bit down since I did not find the alcohol hidden to well. This is evident as the brew warms. Overall however, this brew is fantastic and is a great contender among barrel-aged RIMPs. Another BA that shared this with me suggested that this brew is far superior to the un-barreled version.
Nov 10, 2008Shared among friends and poured into DFH snifter glass. With an aggressive pour, this brew comes out jet black and viscous. Hardly any head, and what head there was dissapears into a thin ring of lace.
The smell was the best thing about this brew. Bourbon, vanilla and nice oak undertones, followed by a sweet malty base. The nose gets better as the brew warms but the alcohol does get noticably hotter. Initial taste is all vanilla! Sweet malts pervade from front to back with a clear bourbon undertow. Hop profile is minimal and could barely detect any. Mouthfeel is thick, creamy and velvety smooth.
For me drinkability was a bit down since I did not find the alcohol hidden to well. This is evident as the brew warms. Overall however, this brew is fantastic and is a great contender among barrel-aged RIMPs. Another BA that shared this with me suggested that this brew is far superior to the un-barreled version.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by barnzy78 from Illinois
4.25/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
16oz can
L: rigorous pour reveals a dark brown stout with a tall tan head
S: fudge, chocolate, roast, bourbon, oak
T: oaky bourbon, cocoa, fudge, roasted barley, caramel, vanilla, earthy hops, faint anise
F: fuller body, ample carbonation, nice balance
O: good barrel-aged Imperial stout
Mar 03, 2024L: rigorous pour reveals a dark brown stout with a tall tan head
S: fudge, chocolate, roast, bourbon, oak
T: oaky bourbon, cocoa, fudge, roasted barley, caramel, vanilla, earthy hops, faint anise
F: fuller body, ample carbonation, nice balance
O: good barrel-aged Imperial stout
Reviewed by Ozzylizard from Pennsylvania
3.74/5 rDev -14%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.74/5 rDev -14%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Barrel Aged Blackout Stout (2024) – from Great Lakes. 16 fl oz can picked up at Franklin Beer Co, Franklin, PA, 27/02/24, $7.00 (Including tax), $ 0.438/fl oz. Reviewed 01/03/24 (Review 3245). Note that I use DD/MM/YY protocol.
Printed on the bottom of the can “2023C1”. Stored at reefer at the distributor, 34 degrees at home. Served at 49.2 degrees F in a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter. The final temperature was 56.4 degrees F.
Appearance – 4
First pour – Amber Brown (SRM 18), clear.
Body – Black (SRM 40), opaque. Under direct light, same. When rear-lite, light penetrates at the bottom edge – amber – and the top edge, citron.
Head - Average (Maximum three cm, aggressive center pour), almond, medium density, short retention, leaving a < 1mm broken bubble ring, constantly renewed by carbonation, and a thin partial cap.
Lacing – None, as expected at 12.5% ABV.
Aroma – 3.75 – Chocolate and hints of whiskey. No yeast, no hops, no malt, no alcohol (12.5 % ABV as marked on the label).
Flavor – 3.75 – Begins slightly bitter with chocolate and mild whiskey; a bit oaky. No yeast, no hops, no roasted malt. On the aftertaste, weak coffee,. No dimethylsulfide or diacetyl. No ethanol. A mild gastric warming occurs.
Palate – 3.5 – Medium; somewhat thin; soft carbonation.
Final impression and summation: 3.75 Rather disappointing, seems watered down. The flavor is OK but unspectacular and the nose is weak and unassuming. Apparently no adjuncts so just a basic imperial stout with a little higher than usual ethanol content.
Mar 01, 2024Printed on the bottom of the can “2023C1”. Stored at reefer at the distributor, 34 degrees at home. Served at 49.2 degrees F in a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter. The final temperature was 56.4 degrees F.
Appearance – 4
First pour – Amber Brown (SRM 18), clear.
Body – Black (SRM 40), opaque. Under direct light, same. When rear-lite, light penetrates at the bottom edge – amber – and the top edge, citron.
Head - Average (Maximum three cm, aggressive center pour), almond, medium density, short retention, leaving a < 1mm broken bubble ring, constantly renewed by carbonation, and a thin partial cap.
Lacing – None, as expected at 12.5% ABV.
Aroma – 3.75 – Chocolate and hints of whiskey. No yeast, no hops, no malt, no alcohol (12.5 % ABV as marked on the label).
Flavor – 3.75 – Begins slightly bitter with chocolate and mild whiskey; a bit oaky. No yeast, no hops, no roasted malt. On the aftertaste, weak coffee,. No dimethylsulfide or diacetyl. No ethanol. A mild gastric warming occurs.
Palate – 3.5 – Medium; somewhat thin; soft carbonation.
Final impression and summation: 3.75 Rather disappointing, seems watered down. The flavor is OK but unspectacular and the nose is weak and unassuming. Apparently no adjuncts so just a basic imperial stout with a little higher than usual ethanol content.
Reviewed by MutuelsMark from Kentucky
4.25/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Super dark. Super creamy. Super sweet. Definitely bourbon on nose. Nice tan head. Good lacing. Easy drinking. Could be dangerous. Nice warmth on backend.
Jan 07, 2024Reviewed by Bluerabbitbell from Pennsylvania
4.49/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.49/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
12/28/23 On tap at Great Lakes Brewing.... Special Christmas gift trip with DW.
Yes, completely blackout opaque! Nice tan head of fine bubbles dissipated quickly leaving just a skim of foam.
The aroma is so deep and complex. Rich molasses, roasted coffee, and syrupy bourbon, maybe even a little raisin.
Beautifully thick in the mouth. Flavor follows aroma to a "T", with a sweet bourbon bite.
$10/per can though!
Dec 28, 2023Yes, completely blackout opaque! Nice tan head of fine bubbles dissipated quickly leaving just a skim of foam.
The aroma is so deep and complex. Rich molasses, roasted coffee, and syrupy bourbon, maybe even a little raisin.
Beautifully thick in the mouth. Flavor follows aroma to a "T", with a sweet bourbon bite.
$10/per can though!
Rated by Blueribbon666 from Ohio
4.5/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.5/5 rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A great Imp stout made even better with the BBA treatment. Dangerously smooth for 12.5% and it's a creeper to boot, don't get up too fast.
Dec 28, 2023Reviewed by BradtheGreat7 from Ohio
4.39/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.39/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
It’s been years since I seen this on local shelves.. back then I didn’t really review it due to the number of beers I had that night. But here in 2023 this reminds me of all those years ago.. such a fantastic bba stout from such an underrated brewery. I know everyone here gives them their props, but I think we get consumed in the new when these original craft breweries slip through sometimes. Barrel Aged Blackout Stout is delicious and full of flavor. Traditional imperial stout to from the color to the nose and down to the last drop. It’s dark and bold with some real booziness in its warm state(yes I consume most stouts and darker ales at room temp.. even the Trappists for that matter) but this is an American imperial stout done right. It’s flavorful and packs a punch. World class imperial stout from a world class brewery. Never mind the price.. just buy a can(yea in 2023 it’s delivered in a can) I still have the bottle from all those years ago, but the can.. beautiful in all it’s dark artwork. What a treat this is
Dec 11, 2023Reviewed by Beejay from Virginia
4.17/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.17/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A: tick black color with blood red edges when held to the light. Fluffy dark tan head.
S: rich and malty, with brown sugar and vanilla. Lovely oak as well.
T: creamy and rich with vanilla, IDK, cinnamon, and brown sugar raisin.
M: creamy feel with low carbonation. Slick feel in the finish.
O: overall a damn fine beer.
Dec 11, 2023S: rich and malty, with brown sugar and vanilla. Lovely oak as well.
T: creamy and rich with vanilla, IDK, cinnamon, and brown sugar raisin.
M: creamy feel with low carbonation. Slick feel in the finish.
O: overall a damn fine beer.
Reviewed by Oktoberfest from Ohio
5/5 rDev +14.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
5/5 rDev +14.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
ABV is 12.5% per the can. I submitted an update here.
This is just a phenomenal beer from an OG Cleveland craft brewery. The barrel aging gives this a dangerous smoothness and a velvety chocolate taste that makes me want to find more of it immediately.
Dec 07, 2023This is just a phenomenal beer from an OG Cleveland craft brewery. The barrel aging gives this a dangerous smoothness and a velvety chocolate taste that makes me want to find more of it immediately.
Reviewed by ZebulonXZogg from Illinois
3.85/5 rDev -11.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.85/5 rDev -11.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Thin looking dark brown pour, big frothy khaki head and a ton of lacing. Snot locker gets some caramel, wood, chocolate and ash. Taste buds get vanilla, chocolate malt and a hint of booze. Thinner than most beers of this style, creamy texture. Very good.
Dec 06, 2023Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois
4.28/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.28/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Released 11/17/23; drank 12/5/23 @ the Yarchives.
Black/brown appearance.
A violent pour yielded a HUGE, noisy tan head; a thick curtain of tree-rung lacing remained.
Burnt caramel, wood, dark chocolate & fresh earth notes in the nose.
Creamy medium thick mouthfeel.
Wood, cream, dark chocolate & faint hop bite; booze heat emerged as this warmed.
Creamy & easy to drink, but with nice Russian Imperial Stout vibes around the edges. Enjoyable.
Dec 06, 2023Black/brown appearance.
A violent pour yielded a HUGE, noisy tan head; a thick curtain of tree-rung lacing remained.
Burnt caramel, wood, dark chocolate & fresh earth notes in the nose.
Creamy medium thick mouthfeel.
Wood, cream, dark chocolate & faint hop bite; booze heat emerged as this warmed.
Creamy & easy to drink, but with nice Russian Imperial Stout vibes around the edges. Enjoyable.
Blackout Stout - Barrel-Aged from Great Lakes Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
96 out of
100 with
1897 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!