We're not much on stouts as a rule (we DO like our porters, stout's brother-in-arms), but given the fact our weather has taken a wintry turn we figgered we might do a stout or two today. We saw a sixer o' these at the local beer emporium and brought one home to grace our fridge.
This is great good stuff! Lemmee quote my go-to guys:
While I was makin' the beer run I noted with great appreciation that the WX, while on the chilly side at 52 degrees, is entirely suitable for an outdoor Happy Hour. The bright sunshine and lack o' wind makes the al fresco beer-drinking experience quite tolerable... and downright enjoyable. So we shall now continue as we've begun.
This is great good stuff! Lemmee quote my go-to guys:
Nice opaque black colour with a tight & patchy cream/foam head. Aromas include roasted, day old coffee/coffee beans, black liquorice. Tight lively carbonation. Smooth, creamy and robust with an astringent roasted barley flavour, smoked malts, wood, black liquorice and molasses. Sweetness is mild. Hop bitterness is thin with a limey backbone that peaks and puckers for a brief moment. Dry, crisp, grain and raw on the edges of the palate. Finish brings some dryness to the mouth, as well as some lingering burnt flavours.
Dry, complex and damn tasty ... a real nice stout.What more could I add? Well, this: it doesn't take all day to pour a pint, like SOME stouts we know (but don't necessarily love). Heart of Darkness is RIGHT up my alley: malty, smooth, and there's no overpowering hoppiness to be found. This is a very well-balanced brew.
While I was makin' the beer run I noted with great appreciation that the WX, while on the chilly side at 52 degrees, is entirely suitable for an outdoor Happy Hour. The bright sunshine and lack o' wind makes the al fresco beer-drinking experience quite tolerable... and downright enjoyable. So we shall now continue as we've begun.
Magic Hat? I've sampled their Circus Boy Hefeweizen, good stuff. Their website is très amusant, check 'em out. http://www.magichat.net/
ReplyDeleteWoah! Their web site is a SERIOUS time wast... errr... investment! I spent a lot o' time in the tunes section.
DeleteYeah, investment, that's the word I was looking for...
Delete"Heart of Darkness?" LOL, sounds right up our alley, Buck, n'cest-ce pas?. How APTLY named...you get a twofer out of the deal--the good taste and the enjoyment of drinking a beer with a name that matches our demented souls: "Barkeep! I'll have my personal CUSTOM-ORDER brew today, thankyouverymuch'...lol
ReplyDeleteYeah, this one's a REAL two-fer: great name and great beer.
DeleteI'm jealous of your weather. It was overcast and wet all day. While I was washing dishes after supper, we had a little hail storm. I was cold all day.
ReplyDeleteToby has a home brew that sounds a lot like your Heart of Darkness.
The WX yesterday was surprisingly good. The near absence o' wind was made it wonderful.
DeletePut a "what" in the appropriate place above. I'm not fully caffeinated yet.
DeleteLove the label. And am very jealous of your al fresco afternoon, it's a chilly 40-ish here still with a wind chill in the 30s. Someone old me it will be in the 70s next week...I don't believe them. I think winter isn't ever going to leave us alone.
ReplyDeleteSee above, Kris. Spring/summer WILL come, yanno?
DeleteDamn it, where's the Rocket J. Squirrel glass?
ReplyDeleteIn the dishwasher. My timing sucks, don't it?
Delete