From the Brewery: 

“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.” 6% ABV

The Pour: 

Poured from a 22 oz bottle into my stout glass. The color is solid black. The head is dark, brownish-khaki, and pours thick and foamy. It settles slowly to a thin covering. Thick lacing is left on the glass.

The Nose: 

Bittersweet/roasted chocolate malts, dark cocoa, and some vanilla bean as it warms. There is also just a hint of smoke.

The Mouth: 

Medium-bodied and smooth going down, finishing moderately dry. The initial flavor has a smokey characteristic, blended with smooth, sweet malts. The malts transform into a lightly roasted, bittersweet, dark cocoa flavor that lingers delicately on the palate. The chocolate in the aftertaste becomes more pronounced the longer the beer warms.

Final Thoughts: 

A chocolate stout that uses its chocolate flavor as a subtle enhancer to a solid base. After each sip, I immediately want to put the glass back up to my lips. The light flavor from the cocoa nibs really lingers, and has my mouth craving more. I would put this one ever-so-slightly below the Rogue Shakespeare Oatmeal Stout, but they are both well done by the brewery. 8/10

Rogue Ales – Newport, Oregon