Flying Dog Brewhouse Rarities: Mint Chocolate Stout

Flying Dog Brewhouse Rarities Mint Chocolate Stout. Flying Dog Brewery. Frederick, Maryland. American Stout. 5.7% ABV

I picked up this bottle about a month ago and stored it in my inventory box. About 2 weeks ago, I finally decided to transfer it from the beer box to the fridge, with the full intention of drinking it within a day or two. However, every time I stared at the beer in the fridge, I just could not bring myself to drink it. I have historically enjoyed Flying Dog, and am a huge fan of stouts. Something about this one kept pushing me away. I thought it would be a fake tasting beer, with too much chocolate and a weird mint aftertaste. My reservations proved to be somewhat correct.

Pour cold into a snifter. Pours a dark black color with a one and a half finger tan foam head that disappears after the first sip. Smell is heavily on the mint side-I read one piece about this beer where someone compared it to Junior Mints: spot on. I could not really detect any coffee or chocolate. The carbonation is medium to light, and mint is an overpowering flavor. Again, I have tried to detect chocolate, coffee, and almonds, but have not been able to. The middle of the taste is actually pretty watery tasting, but the finish is heavily on fake mint. 

Overall, not a fan of this one. My reservations about a fake mint taste proved to be correct. I was disappointed that I could not taste any chocolate or coffee. The one plus is that it was on the relatively inexpensive side ($2/ bottle). Will not be buying again and would not recommend. However, Flying Dog is still a great brewery in my book (see Raging Bitch, Kujo and Gonzo), so I will continue to try their new items in hopes of finding something good.

50/100