Hollywood Stout is an American Imperial Stout brewed by Hollywood Brewing Co., and for the purposes of this craft beer review, the stout was served in a snifter from a bottle.
Appearance
Pours an opaque black with an inch-thick cap of creamy tan foam that has decent retention. No lace is apparent on the glass.
Aroma
Aroma is sweet and boozy with a scent of vanilla, banana, and hint of fig and chocolate.
Flavor
Palate brings a lot of bite with a taste that’s earthy and herbal, followed by lingering warmth of alcohol. As the beer warms, that bitterness is tempered with a balance of vanilla, dark chocolate, and molasses over roast malt.
Mouthfeel
Mouthfeel is smooth and slick with a full body and low carbonation.
Overall
The Hollywood Stout is harshly bitter at first but becomes more palatable as it warms. Even so, its taste is heavy-handed with the booze. While it’s a decent stout there are better representations of the style that can be found elsewhere.