The Commodore started life in Ballast Point’s R and D pilot brewery, where the crew set out to brew a medium-bodied American stout. It worked so well that it became a favorite of the brewery team, earned a gold medal, and graduated to bottles. It is a West Coast stout through and through: dark and roasty, but hopped enough that it never turns heavy or sleepy.

The basics

• Brewery: Ballast Point Brewing Company (San Diego, CA)
• Style: American Stout
• ABV: 6.5%
• IBU: 60

What to expect

The Commodore pours near black with a tan head. The aroma leads with roast coffee and bittersweet chocolate, with a light citrusy hop note peeking through behind the roast. On the palate it is medium-bodied and smooth, with dark roasted malt, a touch of nuttiness, and a dry, almost espresso-like edge. The hops stay mostly in the background during the sip, then step forward for a crisp, bitter finish that cleans the palate and invites another taste.

This is an easy-drinking stout for a beer of its strength, and it pairs naturally with grilled meats, chocolate desserts, and aged cheese. It is also a good cold-weather companion: rich enough to warm you up, but not so heavy that one glass ends the evening.

Our rating

6.0/10

Rated by Alex (6) and Nick (6). Alex and Nick land in exactly the same place on this one, both at a 6, and that shared score tells the story of a solid, well-made stout that never quite surprises. The roast and chocolate character is dependable, the bitter finish is clean, and the drinkability is better than most stouts at this strength. But neither Alex nor Nick found the extra gear that would lift it above the crowded field of good American stouts, so it settles in as a reliable pour rather than a must-seek bottle.