Brooklyn Black Ops 750ML

Brooklyn Black Ops 750ML is a bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout from Brooklyn Brewery, bottled at 12.4% ABV in a corked-and-caged 750ml format. Drinkhacker awarded it an A rating (9.5 out of 10), and with over 49,000 ratings on Untappd averaging 4.1 out of 5, it has earned a devoted following among barrel-aged stout enthusiasts.

Quick Facts: ABV: 12.4%  |  Origin: Brooklyn, New York  |  Style: Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout  |  Brewery: Brooklyn Brewery

Production & Heritage

Brooklyn Brewery was founded in 1988 by Steve Hindy and Tom Potter in Brooklyn, New York, with longtime brewmaster Garrett Oliver guiding the beer program since 1994. Black Ops begins as Brooklyn's Imperial Russian Stout, which is then aged for months in Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon barrels, absorbing deep vanilla, oak, and caramel character from the spent bourbon wood. What separates Black Ops from most barrel-aged stouts is a final re-fermentation with Champagne yeast, a step that naturally carbonates the beer and lends a dry, effervescent quality uncommon in beers this heavy.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Pronounced bourbon and vanilla lead the nose, followed by dark cherry, raspberry, and a wave of toasted sweetness. Underneath, roasted malt and a subtle oakiness anchor the aromatics.

Taste: The entry is rich and full-bodied, delivering dark chocolate, intense caramel, and well-roasted walnut. Mid-palate shifts toward milky coffee, dark fruit, and malt ball sweetness, while bourbon barrel influence contributes clear oak and vanilla notes. A tart red-berry current runs through the profile, adding unexpected brightness to the dense malt framework.

Finish: The finish is moderately long, turning slightly bitter with lingering dark chocolate and coffee. An overall sweetness persists alongside the barrel-driven vanilla, gradually fading into dry oak.

How to Drink Black Ops

Black Ops is best served at cellar temperature, around 50–55°F, in a tulip glass or snifter that concentrates its complex aromatics. Pouring slowly to avoid disturbing any bottle sediment from the Champagne yeast refermentation is recommended. A small splash of the beer can add barrel-aged depth to a Black Velvet variation, substituting the traditional stout for a richer, boozier take. It also works in a Stout Float, poured over high-quality vanilla ice cream, where the bourbon barrel character and dark chocolate play off the cream. For an adventurous cocktail riff, try it as the beer component in a Boilermaker alongside a pour of straight bourbon — the shared Four Roses barrel DNA creates a natural bridge between the two.

Best For

• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who collects limited-release barrel-aged stouts
• Sharing after a winter dinner party as a dessert course unto itself
• Cellaring alongside other vintage-dated imperial stouts for a vertical tasting
• Celebrating a special occasion with something that straddles beer, bourbon, and Champagne traditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Black Ops taste like? Black Ops delivers rich dark chocolate, intense caramel, milky coffee, and roasted walnut flavors, layered with bourbon barrel-driven vanilla, oak, and a distinctive tart red-berry note from the Champagne yeast refermentation.

How does Black Ops compare to Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout? Both are bourbon barrel-aged imperial stouts, but Black Ops undergoes an additional re-fermentation with Champagne yeast, giving it a drier, more effervescent character than Bourbon County's typically denser, syrupy body. Black Ops also sits at a lower ABV (12.4% versus Bourbon County's typical 14–15% range), making it somewhat more approachable despite its complexity.

Is Black Ops good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its 12.4% ABV, layered barrel character, and Champagne-like carbonation make it a standout sipping beer best enjoyed slowly at cellar temperature in a tulip glass or snifter.

Where is Black Ops made? Black Ops is produced by Brooklyn Brewery, founded in 1988 in Brooklyn, New York, where brewmaster Garrett Oliver has led the brewing program since 1994.

What foods pair well with Black Ops? Dark chocolate truffles or flourless chocolate cake complement the beer's cocoa and coffee notes. Blue cheese or aged Gouda contrast its sweetness with savory funk. Smoked brisket or braised short ribs echo the bourbon barrel's char and vanilla. Crème brûlée mirrors the caramel and vanilla flavors while matching the beer's richness.

What sizes does Black Ops come in? Black Ops is released in the 750ml corked-and-caged bottle format, which is the standard presentation for this limited annual release.

Is Black Ops worth the price? Black Ops positions as a premium limited-release barrel-aged imperial stout, and its multi-step production process — bourbon barrel aging followed by Champagne yeast refermentation — justifies its placement above everyday craft stouts, putting it in line with other top-tier annual releases in the category.

Why Black Ops?

The Champagne yeast refermentation is the detail that separates Black Ops from the crowded field of bourbon barrel-aged imperial stouts. Where many barrel-aged stouts lean entirely on residual sweetness and high gravity, that secondary fermentation dries out the finish and adds a subtle effervescence that lifts the heavy chocolate and caramel flavors rather than letting them collapse under their own weight. Drinkhacker's A rating and 9.5 out of 10 score reflects a beer that has earned critical respect alongside its cult following. Released in limited quantities each year, Black Ops remains one of Brooklyn Brewery's most sought-after bottles — a genuine hybrid of beer, bourbon, and winemaking traditions that rewards both immediate drinking and patient cellaring.