Tonight, I’m going to review another beer by the Rogue Brewing Company from Newport, Oregon.  This brew is called the Rogue Chocolate Stout.  Need I say more?  (Remember?…  Me + Chocolate Stouts = Nirvana!!!!). 

As I mentioned during my Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar review, I really love this brewery.  I haven’t had a beer of theirs yet that I’ve found disappointing.  All are top notch, so I have no reason to doubt that this will be any different.

A little info on the Rogue Chocolate Stout from the website, rogue.com. 

Ebony in color with a rich, creamy head.  The mellow flavor of oats, chocolate malts and real chocolate are balanced perfectly with the right amount of hops for a bitter-sweet finish.  

The recipe for Rogue Chocolate Stout was created several years ago for export to Japan.  The exported twelve ounce Chocolate Bear Beer bottle label is in Kanji and features a teddy bear with a pink heart on his belly.  Chocolate Stout was released for Valentine’s Day in 2001 in a twenty-two ounce bottle for the US market.  The label features a Roguester (Sebbie Buhler) on the label.  

I can’t wait to get this in a glass and try it!!!!

This Rogue comes in a 22 oz. bottle and has an ABV of 6.0%.

The appearance was an extremely dark brown/black color.  Virtually impossible to see through, but when held to the light I did receive a minuscule showing of ruby at the very bottom.  The head was a tan/brown/khaki color that was very thick, smooth, creamy and fluffy.  I had to stop pouring about 2/3 of the way through and let it settle before I continued.  That was even with an easy pour!!!   The retention was superb and the lacing was some of the best I’ve ever seen.  After each sip, a ring of foam was left where the beer had previously been.  Just like a milkshake or something.  This beer looks incredible!!!

The aroma has a wonderful bouquet of roasted, bittersweet chocolate, sweet cocoa and whole milk tones.  A fine, roasted barley comes through as a nice balancing act to tame the sweetness a tad.  This is very pleasant on the nose.  It’s sweet, but not overly sweet.  It’s roasted, but not overly roasted.  It’s almost perfect.  Very nice, complex and balanced.

The taste is more of the same.  A wonderful flood of roasted, rich, bold, sweet chocolate.  Some bitter tinges at the sides and back of the tongue come on fairly strong in the beginning, but fade a little after each sip.  Just how I like it.  Again, some barley malt only compliments the overall tone of the drink.  After a few moments, the sweet chocolate gave way to a dry, chalky cocoa.  Oh man!!!  This thing, literally, tastes like a liquid, milk chocolate, candy bar.  Amazing!!!

The mouthfeel was medium/full, smooth, dry, chewy, creamy and just plain good.  The “chalkiness” is noted, but it doesn’t deter from the taste or feel of this beer.  I tend to like that aspect of my Chocolate Stouts anyway.  To me, it only adds to the profile and increases the character and affection that I have for this beer.  It coats the palate exceptionally well.  Leaving tons of flavor for me to enjoy until I take the next sip.  It’s filling, comforting, easy to drink and enjoyable.

This beer is truly outstanding.  It is, without a doubt, the best Chocolate Stout that I have ever had in my life.  I have yet to have the Southern Tier Choklat (it’s supposed to be really good too), so I can’t compare it to that, but until I do, this will be the standard by which I judge all others.  At this point, this Chocolate Stout has no competition in my opinion.  I would love to have a keg of this set up in my house at all times.  I would, obviously, recommend it.  I took my time while drinking because I didn’t want it to end.  With each sip, it got better and better, more defined and more “refined.”  I could probably talk about this brew all day.  It may be a bit sweet or have too much chocolate for some, but it only reassured me that I wanted another bottle.  It’s an incredible beer, man.  Incredible.  I just want to say thanks to Rogue for brewing this awesome beer. 

Do you guys have a favorite Chocolate Stout?  Have you had the Rogue?

Thanks for reading guys.  I really appreciate it and it means a lot to me.

Score:  4.85 out of 5
Grade:  A+