Mackeson XXX Stout

Brewed by Boston Beer Company
Style: Sweet Stout
Boston, Massachusetts USA

Very dark. Nice brown head. Flavors of roasted malts, coffee beans. Very little bitter finish. Very very nice. Highly recommended! Can’t beat the price either.

Dark beers tend to intimidate people, not just because they tend to be filling, but also because of their association with bitterness. Stouts in particular. This is why Makeson Triple XXX Stout is such a surprise. Upon the first sip, there is a rush of creamy marshmallow flavor, which is balanced with many of the espresso undertones typically found in a stout. This is why dark beers, when made well, aren’t necessarily as bitter as they appear (unless, of course, that bitterness is the goal). The appearance is of a thick, black liquid, while the head forms into a dark red shade. It also largely depends on how you sip it; large gulps tend to accentuate the finish, which is more of the traditional stout flavor, while more moderate quaffs pronounce the creamy “marshmallow” flavor. The flavor is just so unique that attempt to describe it is more of a metaphor than literal flavors (aside from the espresso). When I say marshmallow, I’m referring to a rather sweet and velvety taste. As the glass gets empty, the stout aspect really starts to stand out. I was rather surprised that Boston Beer Company (Sam Adams) brews this, although that might explain why it tends to be fairly low in price for such a high quality (distribution & batch size, not that Sam Adams necessarily fits the previous description). Considering its price, this beer is a clear winner. If you have a friend who is afraid of stouts (or if you do), then this is the beer to go with.

Wow! I bought this in a 22oz bottle for all of $2.50...I didn’t expect much but oh man, its nice! To be honest if you want the best favor, let this puppy warn to a tad under room temp...my first glass was a bit cold and hit a lot of the aroma. Pours a nice and dark with a tannish head that didn’t last long. Great choco/coffee favors that make me drool while I type! I’m done reporting...have to run and open another bottle!

I just drank my second one. I wish I had more than 6. Very close to Guiness in taste.

Bottle sampled with Stegosaurus. Pours black with a tan head. Aroma of chocolate, coffee, fruit, and roasted malts. Flavor is smooth, uncarbonated, no hops, sweet, and slight fruit.

Pours opaque black (brown if you shine light through the edges) with a thin off-white head. Aroma caught me off guard. Super strong toffee/caramel aroma. I could detect a hint of coffee, but no chocolate. Fortunately, I love toffee. I drank this colder (straight from the fridge) than I normal do stouts, so maybe some of the other aromas would have asserted themselves at higher temps. In the mouth it’s neither think nor thick, with very light carbonation. The caramel/toffee flavor persists, with a slight cardboard aftertaste (oxidation?). Not much else there, at colder temps. As it warms, more chocolate and coffe come through. Nice stout; a little too sweet (or not complex enough) to be outstanding, but I’m glad I had one. Definitely better at 50 degrees than 40.

"Poured a dark dark black with a tan to brown head but left just okay lacing. Aroma was off, woddy and alcohol. Flavor was chocolate coffee and slightly fruity. Mouthfeel was way to thin for this beer. "

Bottle. Motor Oil body and dark tan head. Roasty chocolate aroma. Very strong chocolate and coffee flavor. Supprised by this beer, great find.