Imperial Black Mocha Stout
Highland Brewing

Imperial Black Mocha StoutImperial Black Mocha Stout
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From:
Highland Brewing
 
North Carolina, United States
Style:
American Imperial Stout
ABV:
9.5%
Score:
90
Avg:
4.04 | pDev: 9.41%
Reviews:
111
Ratings:
137
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Jun 01, 2017
Added:
Sep 21, 2008
Wants:
  41
Gots:
  16
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 4 by beer_guy_nc from North Carolina

Jun 01, 2017
 
Rated: 4.43 by cmukid87 from Michigan

May 25, 2017
 
Rated: 4 by RochefortChris from North Carolina

Feb 28, 2016
 
Rated: 3.47 by AlexFields from Tennessee

Dec 19, 2015
 
Rated: 4.08 by DucksFan16 from Tennessee

Sep 25, 2015
 
Rated: 4.04 by lebriarjr from North Carolina

Oct 18, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by PA-Michigander from Pennsylvania

Aug 30, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by zestar from California

Aug 19, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by mattday25 from West Virginia

Aug 19, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by WillieThreebiers from Connecticut

Aug 08, 2014
Photo of Jadjunk
Reviewed by Jadjunk from Georgia

3.31/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
"The next brew in our renowned Imperial line, this hearty stout is rich with coffee and chocolate notes, all achieved solely through the use of special roasted barley grains. The complex malt character blends the velvety sweetness of specialty grains with the creaminess of a classic stout. No flavorings have been added to this product." Brewed in the style of an American Imperial Stout. This was a one-off brew introduced in 2008, and is still available in select markets in Athens, Georgia. Available in 22 oz. bottles and previously limited draft.

Poured from a 22 oz. bottle to a snifter glass. Served above 54º Fahrenheit.

(Appearance) Pours a mocha brown head of a crisp, creamy appearance that quickly subsides. Body tone is dark brown near black. Retention is below average, lacing is nonexistent. 3

(Smell) 6 years of storage may have sharply impacted the aroma and flavor of this beer. Moderate roasted malts and a dash of muted cocoa give way to bold fruit notes of figs and raisins, as well as a bit of tartness and funk that are gaining ground. Not a lot of depth nor complexity is to be found in the aroma, and the chocolate, roasted malts and especially coffee have all long been diminishing. Potency is medium. 3.25

(Taste) Up front a thin, yeasty fruit profile of raisins transitions into a pronounced heavy roasted malt and charred wood finish, both very bold and unwavering despite the age of this beer. Not a lot of residual sweetness remains to balance the specialty grains, and neither chocolate nor coffee make a notable appearance in the flavor. Any previous hop presence is nullified entirely. Ultimately the greatest undoing in the flavor is the lack of sweetness to compliment the body which creates an unmistakable imbalance and generates a much lower drinkability. 3.25

(Mouthfeel) Texture is thin, oily, mildly roasty. Carbonation is soft, adds some slight froth and a bit of creaminess but doesn't influence the texture much. Body is medium for an American Imperial Stout, medium/heavy overall. Alcohol presence is medium. As before mentioned, the imbalance of sweetness to body lowers drinkability and suggests that the yeast in this bottle have fermented a bit too long for the beer's own good. 3.5

(Overall) My recommendation for any potential buyers of this fairly old beer: don't go for it. While certainly at one point a great and tasty stout, 6 years has done it in. My hopes are that Highland rereleases this beer at a later date, so I can enjoy it's full potential. For the record, I could not legally drink in 2008 so there is no way I could have enjoyed this vintage "fresh". 3.5

Highland Brewing Company's
Imperial Black Mocha Stout
3.31/5.00
Mar 19, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by the_beerist from Massachusetts

Feb 27, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by Kegatron from Pennsylvania

Dec 12, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by WOLFGANG from South Carolina

Jul 22, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by rderedin from Maine

Jun 29, 2013
 
Rated: 2.5 by beernads from Florida

Jun 12, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by djrn2 from New Jersey

Feb 24, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by brandoman63 from Illinois

Jan 18, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by BierBliss from New Hampshire

Jan 13, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by ncstateplaya from North Carolina

Nov 27, 2012
Imperial Black Mocha Stout from Highland Brewing
Beer rating: 90 out of 100 with 137 ratings