Pike Brewing Company: XXXXX Extra Stout

Hello! Here I am again, reviewing yet another beer here. This time I have selected a delicious stout from Pike Brewing Company. They brew their beer in the heart of Pike Place Market, just off of 1st Ave in downtown Seattle. This is the first beer I have reviewed from this particular brewer, but it is not the first time I have sampled their selection. Other beers you may have encountered from Pike include: Naughty Nellie (Golden Ale), or their Kilt Lifter (Scotch Ale). They also produce an IPA, Double IPA, Pale Ale, Weisse Bier, Double and Tripel Ales, a seasonal Holiday Ale, and an Oak-aged Stout.

I have been on a dark beer kick ever since I produced my own porter about a month and a half ago and when I saw this in my local QFC for the first time, knew I had to pick one up and give it a try. So let's do it! Ok here we go.


Name: XXXXX Extra Stout
Category/Style: Stout
ABV: 7.0%
IBU: 65
OG: 1.073
Malt Types: Pale, Crystal, and Roasted
Hop Types: Chinook, Willamette, and Goldings
Yeast Type: English Ale
Additives: None
Bottled: Unknown

The Pour: As is typically the case, this guy is dark and black, really tough for light to penetrate. Do I detect the slightest hint of brown coloration? Perhaps. Looks nice and rich, lovely tan head. This is gonna be a nice stout.

The Nose: Initially sweet and malty. Coffee, dark chocolate roastiness, light smoke, burnt sugar, molasses. Took me awhile to pinpoint it but there is a bit of floral hop presence there in the back...

The Taste: Hops and smoke on the front. Chocolate cocoa, roastiness, lingering bitterness. Light carbonation, medium to full bodied. Smooth, silky mouthfeel. Slight initial sweetness but it disappears quickly and midway through becomes dry and spicy. It has a nice bite. Finish is dry and definite bitter chocolate.

The Verdict: A rather delicious offering from Pike Brewing Co. Lots of good things going on with this stout: light smoke, dark chocolate, and coffee, with a lovely lingering bitterness. This is one brew to be savored; drinkability is not super high, but that is to be expected as this beer is so incredibly dark and rich. Pike says it is available year round, so if you're looking for a good dark and delicious 22 oz bottle of stout to share with a buddy or enjoy for yourself you can't go wrong here...



Thanks for reading!

Zach