Revolution: Dark Mode

I agree. This was the best beer I’ve had so far out of the stout box. Really great head on it. Very rich, yet smooth.

 

Cross-posting this in the Share Your Side-by-Side thread in Beer Talk. Cracked open a Revolution Dark Mode (2021)and a Revolution Very Special Old Dark Mode (2022):

First thing I noticed was the difference in head. DM had a nice, creamy looking, pillowy tan head that persisted through the first few sips. VSODM was a dark caramel color and dissipated by the time I picked up my phone. The carbonation level of VSODM also seems higher and more prickly.

The nose on each is similar. Lots of toffee, some vanilla, but much richer and more complex for the VSODM. Definitely more barrel presence in that one, but also a little less char and some subtle baking spice notes.

In terms of taste, the DM leads with a slight brown sugar sweetness that gives way to a roasty, boozy sensation. There’s some dark fruit and a vanilla/caramel quality reminiscent of a craft cola. The roast and oak linger through the finish. Even after a year+ this beer is wonderful.

The VSODM is an absolute bruiser (in a good way). The overall taste profile is similar, but there is greater depth of flavor. It’s more intense, for sure, but still drinks remarkably smoothly. The barrel is really in the spotlight from start to (lingering) finish. The booze, vanilla, oak, and caramel are all amped up (the booze more than any of the others). Instead of the cola note that DM had, there’s an oaky, tannic, drying finish. There’s a wine-like quality and complexity to the interplay between the flavors.

Which is better? It really depends on what you’re looking for. I could drink Dark Mode on a regular basis, if it were available. It’s super approachable as a smooth, BBA Imp Stout. VSO Dark Mode, on the other hand, demands your attention. It’s a beer that almost requires contemplation and analysis. There’s so much going on underneath the surface, I’d find it hard to focus on anything else. It’s most definitely a “once in a while” treat for me.

Despite the differences, it’s clear that these beers share an underlying DNA. They’re definitely brothers but one is the easy-going, take life as it comes, zen master seeking enjoyment. While the other is the hyper-driven, put me on stage, craving the spotlight, super achiever.

 

Super dark with minimal head. Aroma is bourbon and alcohol with a bit of chocolate. Taste is a good amount of alcohol with chocolate followed by some vanilla and dark cherries. Month feel is fairly smooth. Finish is slightly bitter with more of the alcohol taste. All in all decent, but I think the alcohol overtones are a bit too strong.

 

Best so far of the 3 I've had. Great chocolate notes, bourbon is there but no overwhelming. Wish I had another!

 

Received as part of the Extreme Stout beer bundle from BeerAdvocate. The moonroof in my van is stuck in the open position so I'm going to try this out. Love the artwork. It's like a demonic skeleton in front of a science fiction moon. Reminds me of the band Skinny Puppy's artwork, who by the way is going on their final tour this spring and I can't wait to see them. Marked Dec 2 2021 so this beer has had a year to age. Poured out deep dark brown with a light brown head that sizzled away in the glass for a good 30 seconds before dissipating into a light ring. Scents of chocolate and coffee and roasted malts make their way into my nose. The taste is quite warm and pleasing, a nice well rounded blend of malt, chocolate, coffee, perhaps some vanilla. A slight finish of bourbon lights itself upon dancing bubbles of a moderately thick brew. Now let me tell you this is a solid stout. Black as night and darker than my soul, warm and sweet, just the complete package. Punching in at just under 14% abv and I'm lining this up amongst my favorites out there. It's so good I can't even call it a slow sipper. I'm loving every last savory swallow.

 

This might be my favourite one in the box so far. Just good. Nothing super unusual or unique, just everything done perfectly. Dang.

 

Dark chocolate fudge brownie bourbon on the nose and palate. Wow, nice!
Very smooth mouthfeel with a touch of applewood smoke on the finish.
Quite delicious!

 

Eighth beer from the original box. Haven't had any Revolution beers before, but trust that they put a lot of care and good intentions into their brews. However, while undeniably delicious, it is way too sweet. Riffing on their description: it would benefit from some more "BALANCING astringency," ie. some sense of hops. It does go better with my spicy meal than it did by itself when freshly poured, and as it warms in the glass more of its rich flavors are expressed (notably licorice), but fundamentally, this cloying sugar bomb detracts from my appreciation.

 

L: Poured almost black but against a lot of light, I think I could see some mahogany. Seem to be thin for a dark heavy beer. Started with a medium head but faded pretty quickly.
S: Black currant or prune. Black licorice with some soy sauce coming through
T: Sweet black licorice, black currant, prunes with a nice burn at the finish
B: Medium, smooth and silky with low/medium carbonation
O: The black currant, prune, licorice taste up front is nice but the finish left me tasting cough syrup and soy sauce.

 

Straight forward bourbon barrel aged slightly sweetened stout, with vanilla, cocoa, and dark fruit. Good pairing with spiced nuts - almonds, walnuts, pecans, and cashews.

 

Power back on after yesterday's ice storm. I had to take the picture inside, old bones and ice don't mix.

Starting the 2nd half of the Extreme Beer Box, I do believe that this will be the 1st I will have completely consumed. I had this at their beer hall in Chicago several years ago and rated it higher than I would have today. I can do with the sweet additions, of all of Revolution's BA beers this would be at the bottom of the list.

 

This is #7, I think. Or something. Whatever. Messed up with the other thing I was finishing, so might as well have another. So the stout looks good upon the pour, very dark and enticing with a fanciful head. Smells nice and pleasant, tastes like the smoldering embers of a slow-sipping stout. I get plenty of char up front with cocoa and chocolate, then prune/plum/fruit, and then a bitter, warming current at the end. Another good one, last for a week - consider it pregaming for death by ABV in 7 days again.

 

I think the year in the can did wonders for this beer. I am wary of Milk Stouts for fear they will have too much milk chocolate sweetness but the barrel here - hoo boy - did it ever present the flavors, bringing Bourbon and a suprising dark fruit element. It pushed the milk stout component into a complementary role that was additive to the flavor profile. One of the best in the box so far.

 

The GF mentioned twice that she really liked this one. I liked it as well, with the taste outshining the smell and feel. On my palate, I don't think it presented too sweet until the end (with a lingering sticky feel), and I thought the bourbon was at a near perfect level (though pretty absent in the nose). Reminded me a little bit of Hardywood's Foolery, one of my highest rated beers; doing a side-by-side to figure out the near half point difference in my rating would be welcomed, especially since I haven't had Foolery in about two and a half years.

 

This could be a gold standard for a barrel aged milk stout. It is smooth with a nice, subtle taste of cocoa. The bourbon nicely compliments the overall taste. It is a bit sweet but that adds a nice dimension to the overall experience, I am glad that this was in the box!

 

Finally having these stouts. This one was excellent. 2021 can and it held up beautifully.