One of my favorite stouts. It has been eight years since my initial review. As always, I must comment on price increase: $3 for the same size serving?
Notes only on differences:
Not as bitter. More balance and smooth finish. Licorice is subtle, building as it warms. Booze is smoother in the taste.
The warmer this beers gets, the deeper and complicated this beer becomes. Drinking over a period of time makes for a wonderful adventure for the sense. I would have this beer again, over and over, but at the price point my revisits are limited. Enjoy!
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Reviewed: Monday, April 16, 2018 at 12:08:24
Tasted: Saturday, April 14, 2018
$12.99 for 750 ml bottle
9.24/10
A: 10.0 |
T: 9.0 |
L: 9.0 |
M: 9.0 |
O: 9.0
sDev: 2.21%
Color: Black
2009 version.
Poured opaque and quite viscous. Quarter inch of brown/mocha colored foam that quickly becomes nothing more than a ring around the outskirts of the glass. Retention wasn't there but the lacing is thick, spotty, and definitely not sticky.
Aroma brings chocolate and molasses to the very forefront. Roasted malt is in the background but holds on strong. A touch of booze doesn't hurt.
Taste is big and wonderful. Chocolate, molasses, roasted malt, and booze come and go throughout, adding to the complexity. Surprisingly bitter in the finish - more so than expected. Dark fruits, prunes and cherry, that even lend a sense of tartness to the finish.
A huge body with a very light carbonation, letting the true brew come through. Drying on the lips while viscous for a very short moment.
Oh, is this beer complex. Continuing to drink brings out more and more character. The boozy feel going down just reminds you of how big this beer is. I need to get another one and let it age a few years. Enjoy!
Aroma: Roasted Malty goodness.
Look: Translucent ruby brown at edges. Thin head that rests along edges.
Taste: Balanced. Smooth. All the attributes of a classic stout +1.
Carbonation: Med
Super pleasant.
Super drinkable.
S: Chocolate and molassaes and the obvious roasted malt. Attractive and seductive with faint notes of licorice, coffee, and more. Big, deep, and dark American Stout.
T: Roasted dark chocolate, slightly tart sweetness is first. And it's boozy in a good way. Mouthfeel is thick in an oily way. Then you can let your imagination go wild; coffee, ainse, raisins, prunes, brown sugar, toffee, and on and on.
D: Complex, dark, and deep. The only improvement would be to try aged version over the years. Very, very solid brew.
"Sometimes when I reflect back on all the beer I drink I feel ashamed. Then look into the glass and think about the workers in the brewery and all of their hopes and dreams. If I didn't drink this beer, they might be out of work and their dreams would be shattered. Then I say to myself, 'It is better that I drink this beer and let their dreams come true than selfish and worry about my liver.'" - Jack Handy