Great Lakes Brewing Blackout Stout
I’ve had a few Great Lakes Brewing beers since they started shipping to Virginia back in February of 2012, but none of their products were so firmly set in my sights as their Blackout Stout. I don’t know why it’s taken me this long to finally find a bottle (or three) on shelves, but it did and now the wait is finally over.
It’s no secret that I’m an enthusiastic stout fan, so when it came time to open up this 9% ABV brew, I had to first wipe off the drool. It only took one sip to know that my wait was not in vain. This brew is big, robust and earthy — just the way I like my stouts.
Appearance
Blackout Stout pours as black and opaque as the deepest depths of the company’s namesakes — not a bit of light shows through it. A dense, creamy cap of brown foam rests assuredly atop the brew.
Aroma
Slightly acrid black coffee hits first with anise, light cocoa, a solid roast and a bit of a peppery alcohol tingle.
Taste
The beer certainly has a strong, black coffee presence as it washes over the tongue. The roasty bite is accompanied by hints of anise, cocoa, a soft char and a moderate sweetness. Blackout Stout isn’t as full-bodied as I was expecting, but it still works just fine. There a late forming, chest warming glow with a twinge of anise lingering in the finish.
Overall
Blackout Stout is a beer I’ve been waiting to try for some time now. It’s robust character and overall flavor was exactly what I was hoping it would be. I’d personally prefer it to be a bit fuller, but that would just be me being picky. It’s not the biggest beer, alcohol-wise, that I have encountered, but be careful with this one. Too many and you’ll be out just like it’s name. Now, where did I put those other couple of bottles?
Rating: 4/5
