From a can the initial pour is clear and pale, but as I get towards the bottom of the can it gets a little cloudy and darker. Nose is something like stale chocolate. On the taste, it does taste something like stout but its far from a good example of stout character. I'm a stout lover, except for imperial that is, and this stuff is actually a little off putting. At least it does have a decent level of carbonation. Oh well, I only pad 40 cents for this can, $9.60 for a case of 24. My dad always said, you get what you pay for. But, there have been some beers I've scored off the clearance shelf that were excellent. I'll have to give a few of these away to some 'friends' heheehhehh.