Upstream Blackstone Stout

Brewed by Upstream Brewing Company
Style: Sweet Stout
Omaha, Nebraska USA

Draft. Nearly black with a consistent white head. Light aromas of coffee and a nitrogen pour. Mouthfeel is weighty and creamy, everything a nitrogen-drawn stout should be. On taste, however, the oatmeal is hidden, the coffee just peeks through, and the roast is very light. This beer is all about the palate.

On tap @ Legacy brewpub, 4/8/05. It’s possible that over the year(s), Upstream has refined and improved their brewing process, because I don’t see how this beer is rated so low by some people. This was a quality beer that is much better than average. Opaque black in the glass with a darkish light brown head, fluffy and sticky burnt sugar color to it, great sticky lacing on the side of the pint. The aroma is one area in which this beer suffers, I couldn’t really smell anything, but what I could pick up was crisp and clean. "Plenty of malt flavor" is a great way to describe this beer; the intensity of the roast was as much as many impy stouts I’ve had (although it was a bit harsh); the dark fruit flavors that distinguish superior stouts were vague, with some dark cherry notes drowned out by the coffee/dark choc roast. Great level of sweetness that lingers into the bitter/dry and somewhat tangy (and that’s not a good thing) finish. Lacks depth, but the intensity of flavor is good and fits perfectly with the mouthfeel, which was medium to full and buttery with foamy and soft carbonation at a perfect level. If there would be one area I would work on, it would be the mouthfeel; it was a bit to medium and not enough full, and reminded me of Harviestoun Old Engine Oil, which I didn’t like as much as most. More complexity and development of the malt flavors would have this as a great, and not just good, beer.

The best Upstream by far. Balck with a tan head that dissipates quickly. Has some coffee and chocolate taste. Very smooth with a some nice malt flavor. I wouldn’t drink any upstream again besides this one.

Black with a thin head. One word describes this and all the Upstream beers: STANDARD. Minimal coffee flavors, but nothing to raise eyebrows. Odd bittering is off-key.

It's true, this is indeed the best of the Upstream ales. Unfortunately, that's not saying very much. The emphasis at this place is on the food. The beers are always a spectrum of colors, but little else. Always weak on the malt, the stout is no exception. Little or no head retention. If you have to drink here, stick to the stout.

Deep brown hue with okay tan head and good lacing. The aroma hints of chocolate malts, light coffee, grains, sweet fruit (pear and berry), and leather yeast esters. Big sweet mocha taste upfront folowed by good bitter and nutty undertones. Fruity citric bite on the finish with lingering bitterness. Soft and smooth mouthfeel. Standard sweet stout, quaffabel with nice character. The best of Upstream's standard brews.

(Draught) Pours a dark brown (almost black) color with a thin head. The best of the Upstream brews!

Draught, GABF 2003. Body is dark brown to black. Aroma is lightly malty (roasted grain, caramel), lightly hoppy (grapefruit), with a note of licorice. Flavor is moderately sweet, moderately acidic, lightly bitter. Finish is lightly sweet, moderately acidic, moderately bitter. Light to medium body, watery texture, lively carbonation.