I'm a big fan of Green Flash brewing. I'd probably say they are a top 5 for me. Not sure if I'd throw them in the #1 spot ,but they're definitely in contention.
To put it honestly, Green Flash really doesn't make a bad beer. Obviously known in beer circles for brewing incredibly hoppy IPA's, I like them more for the beer I'm currently drinking.
Double Stout
No fancy name. No gimmicks. It's just a big stout. Or Black Ale as the label says.
I'd say of all the Green Flash beers I've had more of this than any other. It's good year round, even during the summer time when it gets a little hot (ok a lot hot) in So. Cal. It's not overly thick like some stouts (which I love) so to have one of these to maybe mix things up come summer time, getting away from the Pales and IPA's, it's a nice treat.
The Double Stout pours out very dark with no light able to be seen through the beer. Maybe the slightest hint of a very dark brown around the bottom of the glass but that might just be my bad eye sight playing tricks on me. The head is a fluffy brown/mocha color that stick around for a bit and leaves a nice lacing on the glass. This head is darker than a lot of the "stouts" that seem to be produced these days. If you're like me, the darker the head, the better the beer.
The nose is nothing short of delicious. Big chocolate. A nice roasty warmth shines through as well that almost makes this seem like a beer you might drink for dessert or even in the AM if you're a daytime drunk (nothing wrong with this.) I also get a little bit of an alcohol smell on the nose. 8.8% it's not too surprising and with a lack of an espresso/coffee character I'm not too surprised. It's nothing to run away from but it's definitely there. There's also a bit of a toasted oat character as well.
Taste wise, this beer is delicious. You get a smooth chocolate flavor immediately. Middle of the mouth you get more chocolate and a bit of that roasted character you could get on the nose as well. It's not a thick stout but it's also not thin by any means. Tail end of this you get more chocolate, more roast, and a subtle hop character. Being a Green Flash beer without a hop character showing up something can't be right. After letting it settle a bit, I also get a nice toasted oat/roasted oat character on the back end.
Overall this is a very solid stout. It's almost an everyday drinker for me when I can get a case. It's available in 4 packs (boo!) and 22oz bottles. You can pretty much get this year round. I think since Green Flash moved down to San Diego from North County they manage to keep this around where as when they were in Vista this wasn't always available. I give this beer an 8.5/10 for an A rating. I highly recommend this beer if you like stouts. Even if you don't, it's worth trying.
Wife's verdict? Judging by the facial expression as well, definitely tastes like beer.
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