Today’s craft beer review is going to be of the Harpoon Chocolate Stout from the Harpoon Brewery located in Boston, Massachusetts.

Another chocolate delight I’m hoping!!!

It’s a seasonal that’s only available from November through April.  

From the website, harpoonbrewery.com, I found this description.

A chocolate stout is a beer with a noticeable dark chocolate flavor.  This flavor is created from the use of darker, more aromatic malt that has been roasted or kilned until it acquires a chocolate color.  

Harpoon Chocolate Stout is brewed with an abundance of chocolate malt and a touch of chocolate.

Well, I’m guessing it has chocolate in it?!?! 

This beer has an ABV of 5.9% and comes in a 12 oz. bottle.

The Harpoon Chocolate Stout poured a very dark brown to black color with a tan head with only average size and retention.  It did leave some surprisingly good lacing though.  The cap ended up settling to an “ok” film on top.  A few ruby highlights grace the the bottom and sides when held directly toward the light.

The aroma was pretty straight forward I thought.  Some roasted chocolate and some roasted, slightly smokey, coffee notes were the prime factors.  The coffee aroma is a little more relaxed than the chocolate and the chocolate seemed to bring about a cocoa powder or cocoa nibs characteristic.  I also found that it had a touch of toasty nuttiness.  Overall, a pretty good aroma.  Nothing out of the ordinary or misinterpreted.

The taste had a dry, chocolate, chalky flavor with some added bitterness.  Coffee flavors were observed and seemed to be a bit more forthcoming in the taste.  No discernible profiles of dark fruit or nuttiness were encountered in the taste.  At least I didn’t find any.  In general, just a nicely roasted, decently well balanced flavor profile.

The mouthfeel was medium, but not quite as smooth or creamy as some of the other Stouts I’ve come across.  It was still alright though.  It covered the palate adequately and it was sufficiently dry to boot.

I thought this was a pretty good, solid, sturdy little Chocolate Stout.  It’s not the best I’ve had, but it was entirely enjoyable, drinkable and worth a try if it’s available in your area next Winter.  It wasn’t an overly heavy or filling beer, therefore I could, definitely, see myself quaffing a few of these during one setting on a cool evening.

Thanks for reading and commenting everyone.  Sorry this post went out so late.  I’ll try to do better next time.

Cheers!!!

Score:  3.85 out of 5
Grade:  B+