The brew in question is the Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout from the Brooklyn Brewery in where else? Brooklyn, New York.
The website, brooklynbrewery.com, has a description from the brewer.
Available from October through March. This is the famous Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout, our award-winning rendition of the Imperial Stout style, once made exclusively for Catherine the Great.
We use three mashes to brew each batch of this beer, achieving a luscious deep dark chocolate flavor through a blend of specially roasted malts. We brew it every year for the winter season. It is delicious when newly bottled, but also ages beautifully for years.
I can’t wait to get this poured and give it thorough review!!!
This beer comes in at a very robust 10.0% ABV, 12 oz. bottle.
Once in the glass, the beer appeared a very dark brown, mostly black color with some faint ruby highlights around the edges and bottom. A nice, dark tan head was produced, which looked smooth and creamy, however it was not very large nor did it have a tremendously long retention time. It did leave some decent lacing though.
The smell revealed fumes of a sweet, burnt chocolate along with a burnt/roasted coffee. The chocolate seemed to be the dominant aroma at first, but yielded to touches of dark fruit and more burnt malt of bread and grain. Very well balanced and appealing. A touch of alcohol was detected, although it was not overabundant or heavy.
The taste divulges more of the robust, sweet chocolate, bold burnt coffee and dark fruit tones. As the profile started to develop, the burnt coffee became more espresso like to add just a bit of bitterness and sharpness. Not a hop bitterness really, but more of a “java” type tinge. A little bit of a milk profile counterbalances the negligible alcohol savor so as to not let it become distracting. Once more, very well balanced and divine.
The mouthfeel was medium/full, very dry, smooth and creamy. Slick feeling with an alcohol warmth that holds off until the last second then it comes in slowly and finishes strong. The palate is covered with towering amounts of flavor to reiterate that I need to take my time with this beer. It feels wonderful!!!
What a great brew!!! A superb smell, mouthfeel and, of course, an outstanding taste. The Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout is very easy to drink and even more so during the Winter months. I will say that, to some, this may not be the beer for you if you don’t favor the robust, burnt tones that this variety conjures. Its very vigorous!!! But, if you do…. don’t miss out and track it down when it becomes available. Watch out however, 10% ABV will sneak up on you in a hurry. I would love to pick up a couple of bottles again next Fall to cellar and see how it develops over time.
What do you think of the Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout? Let me know in the comments.
As always, thanks for reading and enjoy some tasty craft beer!!!!
Score: 4.4 out of 5
Grade: A
Beer Apprentice - Craft Beer News, Reviews, Interviews and Info. 
Scott-TheBrewClub
May 10, 2011 at 6:44 pm
I also enjoyed this beer, and yeah it can sneak up on you if you're not careful! I try to get a 4 pack every year, but it doesn't seem to last for a cellar experiment!
Scott-TheBrewClub
May 10, 2011 at 6:44 pm
I also enjoyed this beer, and yeah it can sneak up on you if you're not careful! I try to get a 4 pack every year, but it doesn't seem to last for a cellar experiment!
shrews824
May 10, 2011 at 9:45 pm
Scott,
Thanks for reading and commenting. I definitely can see how this beer would be tempting to drink when it's staring you in the face!!! I hope you found the review enjoyable. Please check back from time to time.
Cheers,
Scott.
shrews824
May 10, 2011 at 9:45 pm
Scott,
Thanks for reading and commenting. I definitely can see how this beer would be tempting to drink when it's staring you in the face!!! I hope you found the review enjoyable. Please check back from time to time.
Cheers,
Scott.
Anonymous
August 29, 2011 at 2:37 am
I have begun trying some stouts and porters lately, and picked up a 4-pack of this one this weekend. I am a dark chocolate fan – the darker the better – and this really did remind me of a very good 85% or so dark chocolate. Just shy of bitter, very rich and smooth. I would not have guessed 10% ABV, as the alcohol is hidden very nicely. This is one I will definitely keep on my list.
Dave
Anonymous
August 29, 2011 at 2:37 am
I have begun trying some stouts and porters lately, and picked up a 4-pack of this one this weekend. I am a dark chocolate fan – the darker the better – and this really did remind me of a very good 85% or so dark chocolate. Just shy of bitter, very rich and smooth. I would not have guessed 10% ABV, as the alcohol is hidden very nicely. This is one I will definitely keep on my list.
Dave
shrews824
August 29, 2011 at 1:06 pm
Hey Dave!!!
Thanks for checking in. I, like you, love that dark roasted malt and chocolate in my Stouts and Porters. Actually, Stouts and Porters are probably my two favorite styles. The Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout is awesome and if you are looking for a few more to try check out the North Coast Old Rasputin, the Founders Breakfast Stout, the Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout, Anchor Porter and Fullers Londen Porter. All great beers in my opinion. Too many to name actually. Haha.
Be sure to check back from time to time. I really appreciate the support.
Cheers.
Scott.
shrews824
August 29, 2011 at 1:06 pm
Hey Dave!!!
Thanks for checking in. I, like you, love that dark roasted malt and chocolate in my Stouts and Porters. Actually, Stouts and Porters are probably my two favorite styles. The Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout is awesome and if you are looking for a few more to try check out the North Coast Old Rasputin, the Founders Breakfast Stout, the Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout, Anchor Porter and Fullers Londen Porter. All great beers in my opinion. Too many to name actually. Haha.
Be sure to check back from time to time. I really appreciate the support.
Cheers.
Scott.
Anonymous
August 30, 2011 at 4:02 am
Thanks for the tips! I have found the Smith's Oatmeal Stout and Taddy Porter in the 550 ml size, and I plan on having a few tastings of these with my oldest son. He is the one that got me interested in beer tasting, and he wants to try brewing at home in the near future.
Looking forward to trying these fine brews!
Dave
Anonymous
August 30, 2011 at 4:02 am
Thanks for the tips! I have found the Smith's Oatmeal Stout and Taddy Porter in the 550 ml size, and I plan on having a few tastings of these with my oldest son. He is the one that got me interested in beer tasting, and he wants to try brewing at home in the near future.
Looking forward to trying these fine brews!
Dave
shrews824
August 30, 2011 at 12:30 pm
Dave,
Have fun trying them. I don't think you will be discouraged by those beers. Good luck with the homebrewing also!!!! If you ever have any questions or comments, don't be afraid to ask.
Cheers.
Scott
shrews824
August 30, 2011 at 12:30 pm
Dave,
Have fun trying them. I don't think you will be discouraged by those beers. Good luck with the homebrewing also!!!! If you ever have any questions or comments, don't be afraid to ask.
Cheers.
Scott