Brooklyn - Black Chocolate Stout (2007)

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 specialty roasted malts. We brew it every year for the winter season. It is delicious when newly bottled, but also ages beautifully for years.  Available from October through March.

This review is for the 2007 vintage.  Click here to see my review from 2005 or 2010 of a fresh bottle.

The ABV is 10.0 and the IBU rating is ??
Style - Russian Imperial Stout
Glass to use- Pint Glass, Becker, Tumbler, Snifter or Oversized Wine Glass
Delivery 12oz Bottle

Can be cellared for long periods, under the proper conditions.

The Pour - Pours a solid thick black (like ink) color with no head at first then a nice 1/2" dark brown head appears. Great lacing.
Aroma - Strong chocolate, some dried fruits (raisin and plum).
Taste -  Malts, caramel and dark chocolate.  Slightly bitter in the finish.
Mouth Feel - Medium carbonation and full body. A nice dry finish.
Drinkable - At nearly 5 years of aging, it lacks the typical aging tasting notes.  The alcohol is well hidden. I have two other vintages to try; a 2008 and 2009.  I think 5 1/2 years is perfect for this brew.  I'll wait for the other two to mature a bit before opening. 

This beer pairs well with cheese and desserts (Anything chocolate!).

This beer gets a Duper rating of A-.
BeerAdvocate Rating =A-
Ratebeer Rating =100