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Snake River Zonker Stout
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
BJCP Category: 13D Foreign Extra Stout
Snake River Brewing Co. <visit site>
38
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[expand]Total Score: 39/50
Very drinkable American version of the Foreign Extra Stout style. I found the acidity and initial aroma distracting. But this settled into a rich and complex flavor profile. more >
[close]Total Score: 39/50
Aroma: Roasted malt and coffee-like roasted barley up front with light hop aroma and medium alcohol in the background. Medium fruity esters. No diacetyl. Some fleeting sulfur/vegetal notes dissipate fairly quickly. (8/12)
Appearance: Black. Opaque. Dense, rocky, tan, long-standing head. (3/3)
Flavor: Nice balance of roasted maltiness, medium-high hop bitterness, low-medium hop flavor, and alcohol with an acidic tang that lingers in the aftertaste along with the coffee-like roasted barley and malts. Sweet in mid-palate but drier finish with lingering bitterness. Medium ester profile. No diacetyl. Some fleeting sulfur/vegetal undertones. Rich, complex maltiness is the hallmark of this beer. (17/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium-full body. Acidity gives the impression of lighter mouthfeel. Noticeable alcohol warming. Creamy. Bitterness lingers in mouthfeel. (4/5)
Overall Impression: Very drinkable American version of the Foreign Extra Stout style. I found the acidity and initial aroma distracting. But this settled into a rich and complex flavor profile. A great accompaniment to a similarly rich chocolate dessert and welcomed on this cold evening. (7/10)
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[expand]Total Score: 40/50
This bold, brash beverage could take the place of morning coffee—in the right setting, of course—or serve as a meal in itself. more >
[close]Total Score: 40/50
Aroma: Roasty grain with very low evergreen and mandarin orange hop aroma. Very light spicy floral aromas and bold roast coffee. No diacetyl or off aromas. (9/12)
Appearance: Deep black-brown with a rocky, persistent tan head. Very clear to brilliant with hints of ruby highlights. (3/3)
Flavor: Roasty grain is pronounced with strong character of chocolate, subtle lightly sweet Italian-roast coffee character. Moderate hop bitterness lingers at the finish, accentuated with a light coffee-like acidity. No diacetyl. Low but present white fir tip, resiny hop flavor, and spicy rose alcohol presentation. Semi-sweet chocolate character balances a lingering hop bitterness and bold roast coffee fruitiness. (16/20)
Mouthfeel: Full bodied and creamy despite a somewhat prickly carbonation. Subtle alcohol warmth. A moderate astringency lingers into the finish, like that of rich roasted coffee. (4/5)
Overall Impression: This bold, brash beverage could take the place of morning coffee—in the right setting, of course—or serve as a meal in itself. A substantial foodstuff, it is still perfect for quaffing at the end of the day while watching the perfect sunset. A lovely pint. (8/10)
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[expand]Total Score: 39/50
Very good example of the style, although it could be a little smoother in the finish. The roasted and burnt flavors linger just a little too long, as does the astringency. more >
[close]Total Score: 39/50
Aroma: Notes of rich, dark chocolate and coffee are prevalent when the beer is poured. Hints of dark stone fruits in the background, but otherwise yeast/estery notes are neutral. No diacetyl evident, but some roast malt sharpness and alcohol become apparent as it warms. (10/12)
Appearance: Deep brown/black color. Beige head is appropriate for the style, although the retention is weak for a stout. Excellent clarity. (2.5/3)
Flavor: The initial sip starts with a rounded malt backbone, though not as substantial as classic examples of the style. This would be improved by serving on nitro. The emphasis is on roasted malt, with nutty, cocoa, and coffee flavors. The hop bitterness is appropriately medium-high. I pick up some burnt notes similar to the black malt bite I get in some porters, with an accompanying chalkiness. There are some of the dark fruit flavors I noted in the aroma, but the key components are the roasted malts with bittering hops to lengthen out the finish. (15/20)
Mouthfeel: Low-medium creaminess, as appropriate for the style, but it is offset by a little too much astringency from the roasted malts/grains. Low alcoholic warmth, but the style range is quite broad, so this is acceptable. (4/5)
Overall Impression: Very good example of the style, although it could be a little smoother in the finish. The roasted and burnt flavors linger just a little too long, as does the astringency. A more assertive malt backbone would add complexity and balance. This would be a great beer to take the edge off a lazy, Caribbean afternoon. (7.5/10)
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[expand]Total Score: 37/50
Malt flavor isn’t quite as complex as the aroma suggests. With the burnt flavors, kept reminding me of a robust porter, although the hop flavors also made me think of an American stout. more >
[close]Total Score: 37/50
Aroma: Rich aroma—substantial malt with a strong roast component but there’s an underlying malty-sweet richness, complemented by moderate esters and hops with a little bit of alcohol. Not as intense as an imperial stout but heading in that direction. The roast is slightly burnt with some dark chocolate in support. Not getting much coffee character. (10/12)
Appearance: Moderate-sized light brown head, tiny bubbles, retained well. Brownish-black color. Opaque. Lacing on the glass was nice as the foam fell. (3/3)
Flavor: Dark chocolate flavor with a lightly burnt quality but not acrid. Medium hop flavor with an earthy-citrusy quality—it doesn’t clash but it does add a light acidity. Light esters. Bitterness is moderate with a hint of alcohol flavor. Not really getting coffee—seems like more of a roasty/burnt flavor. Dryish finish with lingering burnt flavors in the aftertaste and just a touch of hops. Fairly smooth and clean. (13/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium-full body. Medium carbonation. Lightly creamy but not in a heavy way. Warming alcohol is noted. (4/5)
Overall Impression: Malt flavor isn’t quite as complex as the aroma suggests. With the burnt flavors, kept reminding me of a robust porter, although the hop flavors also made me think of an American stout. It seems a little between styles from a balance standpoint, but if you ignore that, it’s a well made and nicely drinkable beer. The burnt flavors dominate, but it doesn’t have the harsh, acrid quality that many dark American beers often have. (7/10)
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