Part Chocolate, Part Coffee ... All Beer
Written: Nov 24 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Good roasted malt flavor, good for a cold night.
Cons: none
The Bottom Line: Although I liked the Chocolate Amber better, this is another good brew from Saranac.
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| martytdx's Full Review: Saranac Mocha Stout |
It's that time of year again, when the craft brewers start sending out their 'Seasonal' variety packs for the beer lovers like me, exciting us with new and rare treats that we'll think fondly on (mostly) later in the year. Last year, I did a piece, "The Twelve Beers of Christmas", which covered the Saranac Seasonal 12-pack. This year, I have once again found one to enjoy. While some of the beers are the same, they are offering some different varieties - Marzenbier, Roggen Bock, E.S.B., Mocha Stout and Saranac Chocolate Amber.
Rather than revisit the 12 beers - when 7 of them are the same - I'm only going to review the 5 new ones (hold your applause, please). So, without further ado...
[• about SARANAC •]
Saranac beers are brewed by the Matt Brewing Company, a brewery located in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains in Central New York. Over a century old, the brewery is currently being run by the third and fourth generations of the Matt Family (Nick and Fred, respectively). Today, the company brews a number of different beers (27 different beers in the recent past, including seasonals and limited editions), as well as SIX different soft drinks (they added one this year).
[• about MOCHA STOUT •]
It was November, but balmy. The wind was slight, pushing more of the moisture coming from the south than the chill of the north that we should be expecting. The streets were full of people taking in the warm night, an unexpected pleasure this close to turkey day. We walked down Chestnut Street, heading to dinner, both in eager anticipation of the first dinner on our 'A to Z Ethnic Cuisine Tour' that my wife and I had decided upon. We're going to try the cuisine of a different cuisine each time we go out for a 'date dinner' for a while. Tonight's was Afghani from Kabul - the dinner was delicious, and we were well sated after sambosas and lamb kabobs.
The weather had gotten a little chill, the cold that is born more of the night taking hold than the weather or wind. Not cold enough for a fire, it was nonetheless perfect for sitting back under a throw blanket and snuggling while watching TV. It was also perfect for a glass of beer - in this case a stout. But not any stout. There had been no after-dinner coffee, instead we were indulging in the mocha and coffee character of Saranac Mocha Stout.
the POUR » A pint glass was called for, and filled with this dark beer - not as much head as I had expected, although the pour could be to blame. Dark, dark, dark - like the cloudy night outside, but much more inviting because we knew what was in store. It clung to the glass slightly, although not as much as some of the more popular stouts.
the NOSE » Roasted malts abound, and the stray hint of something sweeter fleetingly hits my nose. The coffee character of this beer is foremost on the nose, almost to the exception of anything else. Malts are indicated and the roasting is an invitation to delve further.
the TASTE » Unlike the Chocolate Amber, my wife doesn't snatch this one from me. Instead, she grabs it and takes a sip as I am throwing away the cap - the roguish woman. "Mmm..." she says, her love of coffee making it all the more palatable for her. I am the one grabbing this time, as her second sip lingers - no, it's time for me to enjoy.
The sweetness is the first thing that you notice, but it soon gives way to the roasted malt, and a definitive coffee flavor and the barest hint of chocolate hidden in it. There might be a slight bit of bitterness to the finish but it was masked by the carbonation. Made with SEVEN malts and a variety of hops, where the character comes from exactly is tough to tell, but it's good. It's a healthy flavor for a stout that is on the lean side of mouth-feel. The fact that it's lighter in body doesn't detract from the amount of flavor it gives.
As an after-Afghan dinner treat, it worked extremely well. The carbonation was there, but it matched my wife's need for coffee and my need for a good stout with equal aplomb. Again, it is a disappointment that this beer is one of their Limited Edition styles, so getting another bottle will be difficult, at best.
[• beer SPECIFICS •]
• Awards: None
• ABV: 5.0% ABV
• IBU: unknown
• Shelf-Life: n/a
• Serving Temperature: 45-50 degrees F (chilled but warming)
• Calories (per 12 oz.): unknown
• Carbs: unknown
[• final THOUGHTS •]
A good beer, perfect for the end of a November evening. Although a little less body that many stouts, it doens't lack for flavor or taste.
[• final SARANAC BEER TALLY •]
including last year's batch:
GREAT (4) - Caramel Porter, Season's Best, Chocolate Amber, Mocha Stout
GOOD (6) - Black Forest, Black & Tan, Golden Pilsener, IPA, Pale Ale, Traditional Lager
FAIR (3) - Adirondack Amber, Single Malt, Stout
EHHH.... (1) - Belgian White
For More Information
www.http://www.saranac.com/
[• related SARANAC REVIEWS • ]
2004 »
Mocha Stout
Chocolate Amber
2003 »
1st Day of Xmas - Saranac Pale Ale
2nd Day of Xmas - Saranac Stout
3rd Day of Xmas - Saranac Black Forest
4th Day of Xmas - Saranac Caramel Porter
5th Day of Xmas - Saranac Belgian White
6th Day of Xmas - Saranac Black and Tan
7th Day of Xmas - Saranac Adirondack Amber
8th Day of Xmas - Saranac India Pale Ale
9th Day of Xmas - Saranac Golden Pilsener
10th Day of Xmas - Saranac Traditional Lager
11th Day of Xmas - Saranac Single Malt
12th Day of Xmas - Saranac Season's Best
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
martytdx
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 - Top 100 |
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Member: Marty
Location: New Jersey
Reviews written: 478
Trusted by: 177 members
About Me:
Doing what I can to try new places, restaurants, books and beers.
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