Marin San Quentins Breakout Stout

Brewed by Marin Brewing Company
Style: Stout
Larkspur, California USA

Pours with a three-finger thick, lightly cascading, frothy, creamed chocolate brown colored head that leaves some lacing patterns on the side of the glass as it recedes. The beer is a simple black color as it sits in the glass, but shows some brilliantly clear, rich ambered, dark brown colors when held up to the light. Rich, dark malt aromatic notes of roasted coffee beans, dark chocolate, toasted grain, browned biscuits and richly roasted soda crackers are all immediately noticeable in the nose. This really has a richly satisfying, dark, roasted malt character to it that is a joy to stick your schnozz in to.

Rich tasting, with a creamy, medium full mouthfeel that is quite effective in coating the palate with out being too thick, and is certainly not cloying. The sweet malt notes offset notes of blackened toffee, milk chocolate and dark chocolate; it reminds me at times of chocolate malt ball candies. Solid burnt malt characteristics of darkly roasted coffee, a light burnt grain acidity. This really has a nice balance between the smoother malt characteristics of chocolate and browned malt sugars with the sharper roasted notes of coffee and burnt acidity; the smoother notes have the edge here, which really helps out with the overall drink-ability of this brew.

This is a deeply satisfying brew, it is certainly not an Imperial Stout, but is on the rich side for a stout. Still quite drinkable, though it certainly is not thirst quenching; the mouthfeel is a touch too creamy and rich for that. I have had this beer a couple times and each time I have really enjoyed it; it has really nice balance of flavors and heft that just really works and makes for a flavorful, favorable drinking experience.

pours dark with a dark head, very smooth, very smokey/roasted type of malt flavors, good stout

This is an interesting beer, much different than most stouts I have had. This has a winey smell and flavor component, along with the roasted malts. This is a very smooth beer.

(Bottle 65 cl) Courtesy of Rastacouere. Pours completely opaque black with a rough, light brown head. Aroma is full of burned caramel. Quite full-bodied with burned, malty accents - also sweetish roasted. The finish is dry and bitter. 100507

Bottled. Black with a rather large head. Roasted and malty with notes of liqourice, coffee, hops, smoke and dark fruit.

I didnt think too much of this one. the appearance was the most pleasing aspect, pitch black in the center with mohogany edges and a dark tan head. the aroma wasnt there for a big stout, only some roasted barley and hops came through. pretty weak-bodied and thin, but nice coffee flavor and some burnt wood in there. finishes dry. not truly impressed.

Black colour with a light brown head. Light roasted malty aroma with coffee notes and hints of some sweetness. Sweet, light roasted flavor with fruity notes and a vague coffee bitter finish.

Bottled. Beer no. 16 @ American Blind III. Pitch black coloured. Dense brown head. Sweet and light roasty aroma. Smooth and pleasant chocolate. Flavour of roast, sweetness, light coffee and cocoa. Meidum bodied. Dry and roasty light bitter end.