Review: Brooklyn Brewery Black Ops (2025)

The annual release of Brooklyn Brewery’s Black Ops arrived at the tail end of 2025, and while it once again leans on Four Roses barrels for aging its Russian Imperial stout, this time the aging regimen is only three months instead of the nine months it has previously sat in barrels. Interestingly, Four Roses Small Batch barrels are specified in 2025 (though that is perhaps splitting hairs).

Let’s taste.

Spoiler alert: This might be my favorite Black Ops to date. Bold but never overbearing, this beer kicks off with bittersweet espresso notes, laced with dark chocolate and touched with vanilla. Fans of coffee stouts will absolutely gravitate to this brew — as should everyone else, thanks to its creamy yet crisp body and racy fruit tones that gently shift from fresh cherry to raisin as they linger on the palate. Mocha notes linger well into the finish, with that iconic molasses character undulating on the back end. The good news is it never strikes an aggressively sweet or cloying note as many barrel-aged beers (and some prior Black Ops) can do, with a lively bitterness always keeping this beer on its feet.

12.4% abv.

A / $20 per four-pack of 16 oz cans

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