SevenPack Beer Blog » Blog Archive » Mendocino Black Hawk Stout

Mendocino Black Hawk Stout This is the fourth selection from this month’s Beer Of the Month Club. I have enjoyed the others and hope this rounds out another great box ‘o beers. I will admit I blasted Mendocino’s Eye of the Hawk Select Ale last year but I think this was partly because I couldn’t seem to finish the 6-pack in a timely manner. If I remember correctly I reviewed one of the last beers in the pack and thus I was more happy to see it go than offer an objective, non-jaded review. That being said I stand behind the fact that I didn’t like it. Let’s see if this selection is better and if I can get over myself long enough to do it justice.

Mendocino Black Hawk Stout Poured The Black Hawk pours a dark, oil black and has a fluffy 1 1/2 inch caramel head. It smells of coffee and dark chocolate. The sweetness in the aroma is overpowered by the bitterness usually associated with the coffee taste. The coffee and chocolate flavors blend nicely to create a semi-sweet flavor with a bite. This stout isn’t as flavorful and bold as some I have had but there is a richness to it that makes it quite drinkable. There is little carbonation to speak of, just enough to let you know this is a beer rather than a very weak liquore. This beer is well balanced and despite its simplicity the flavors compliment each other well. The Beer of the Month Club has delivered another fine beer and I have enjoyed this one much more than my first experience.