Rogue Ales & Spirits Double Chocolate Stout
What the brewers say
“Double Chocolate Stout is an evolution of Rogue Chocolate Stout, which is flavored with imported Dutch bittersweet chocolate. The winner of three World Beer Championships Gold Medals.”
What our panel thought
Aroma: “Strong honey aroma crossed with a freshly unwrapped Cadbury’s chocolate bar and a touch of raisin. Roasted malt, light caramel, roasted marshmallow.”
Flavor: “The chocolate bar flavor hits first but then reveals that it’s bittersweet chocolate in disguise. The big, oily roast malt and assertive bitterness belie the sweetness of the aroma. There is a fair amount of sweetness, but it’s almost subliminal. Nice coffee notes. Hint of burnt sugar/toasted marshmallow. Sweetness fades into a moderate bitterness with a bit of acidity. A dry roasty astringency lingers in the finish keeping it from being cloying.”
Overall: “The nose and flavor are weirdly contrasting (like when you’re a kid and smell, then taste bittersweet chocolate), but it works. The roastiness of the underlying beer does a nice job of balancing the super-intense chocolate. Solid, well-crafted beer.”
