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Surly Darkness

Surly Darkness

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 Percentile 
100
overall
An Imperial Stout brewed by
Surly Brewing Company

Brooklyn Center, Minnesota USA

bottled
common

on tap
common

Regional Distribution
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 Ratings  Average  Score  Seasonal  ABV  Style Pctl  Serve in  Advanced 
1814.35/5.04.34/5.0Winter10.3%99Snifter P  Stats

Commercial Description:
Limited Release
This Russian Imperial Stout is a sipper. Problem is that you want to sip it all night. Look for this one to be released when the leaves change color and Halloween is approaching. Brewed with a blend of 8 different malts, oats and candi sugar. This huge stout reflects Surly’s commitment to brewing intensely flavored beers in small batches. Only 25 barrels of this beer were brewed. 10.3% abv 80 IBU

Most RecentTop RatersHighest Ratings Who's Rated This?
 Skyview (2901), Papoose Jct., Minnesota, USA
4.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/105/59/105/519/20

Jun 24, 2007  
A wonderful surprise to find this on tap at the brewery during the RBSG ’07 tour. Omar put aside the remaining half barrel of darkness just for the ratebeerians. Pours a thick opaque dark brown brew with a heavy brown tan head that sticks around. Aroma of sweet molasses, milk chocolate and cream, and fudge brownies. Taste is thick, syrupy with character of dark chocolate syrup and dark cherries. Nice flowery sweet hop finish and then some bitterness. In all my years of visiting brewery tap rooms, tavern, breweriana hospitality rooms, and beer festivals, I never seen so many beer drinkers purr like content kittens.

 Bockyhorsey (2020), Mesa, Arizona, USA
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/59/104/518/20
Oct 6, 2008  
Sampled @ Tucson Gathering courtesy of cbkschubert bottle #172. Oatmeal aroma on the nose. Black body with tan head. Thick creamy body texture with chocolate and oatmeal flavor present. Good thick stout. Thanks Craig.


edmajorjoe (51), Vail, Arizona, USA
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/57/104/515/20
Oct 5, 2008  
Oatmeal stout looking with a thick, rich head on the slow pour. It’s a dark beauty with a sweet smell and delectable palate to last a while.


 highibus (260), Vail, Arizona, USA
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/518/20
Oct 4, 2008  
deep dark with a fluffy tan head. aroma of coffee and alcohol. medium body and a good alcohol finish.


stankenk (60), Maplewood, Minnesota, USA
4.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/510/105/518/20
Sep 28, 2008  
ABR ’08 - Pours deep dark brown with a brownish orange head. The nose is heavily roasted malt, tons of vanilla, & fresh hops. Comes across the palate as medium thick bodied with really soft carbonation. The flavor starts with overly sweet roasted malts, almost syrupy sweetness that is overpowering and there are some hops hiding in the background. The finish is almost like drinking chocolate straight. It did hide the alcohol well, but it was hiding behind sweetness . Very tasty brew; I could sip this forever.


 gunhaver (660), Tampa, Florida, USA
4.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/105/59/105/518/20
Sep 10, 2008  
Bottle, at BA Throwdown #2, courtesy guerde. Pitch black pour, very thick creamy tan head, and thick white lacing. Aroma is hoppy, with tons of roasted notes, ground coffee, chocolate and cocoa, and some oily notes. Flavor has a big bunch of hops to start, with a roasted body that gives way to tons of chocolate, some coffee, caramel, and lovely dark fruits. Dry, roasted finish. Full body, very tasty, chock full of coffee which balances very well with the hops. Love this one, definitely worth the hype.




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