Cask (gravity) @ 29th Pigs Ear Beer and Cider Festival 2012, at The Round Chapel in Hackney, London, England.Clear dark black brown color with a small to average, frothy to creamy, fair lacing, mostly diminishing, off-white to beige head. Aroma is moderate to heavy malty, roasted, caramel, chocolate, moderate hoppy. Flavor is moderate to heavy sweet and bitter with a long duration, dark malt, chocolate malt, hoppy, licorice. Body is medium, texture is oily, carbonation is soft to flat. [20121204]

Keg at the brewery taproom, 30/03/13. Mid black with a good sized tan head that retains well. Nose carries dark malts, good dose of hoppage, grapefruit. Taste comprises roast malt, cocoa, hops, leather, tobacco. Medium bodied, fine carbonation, dryish in the finish. Decent.

(Cask at Holborn Whippet, Holborn, London, 25 Nov 2012) Dark brown colour, almost black, with brief, beige head. Roasted, malty nose with coffee, dark chocolate, dried fruit and dark rye bread. Malty, roasted taste with notes of coffee, dried fruit (raisins, prunes), liquorice and a generous roasted (almost burnt) bitterness in the finish. Medium body, with a touch of sweetness. Solid and very nice stout.

Cask at the 2012 Pigs Ear Beer Festival, East London.Dark brown pour with a beige head. Aromas of coffee, vanilla, nuts and raisins. Raisin, coffee and vanilla flavour with hints of dark chocolate. Rich, warming finish. Tasty.

4th December 2012
Pigs Ear. Opaque black brown beer, little tan suddy head. Palate is semi dry. Sweet and tangy dark malts, no roast or bitterness. Dark fruits, well buried. Trace of lactose and dark chocolate. Semi dry finish. Unusual sweet and sour vibe. All right.

Keg at the brewpub, London. Pours rich brown with a tight, creamy beige cap. Nose holds a lot of milk chocolate, mild roast and chalky dirt. Medium sweet flavor with lots of sticky chocolate, modest earthy bittrness, milk chocolate, hints of coffee. Medium bodied with fine, creamy carbonation. Medium sweet finish with rich, dark malts, further notes of sweet chocolate, some light ash and char, light hints of alcohol, some dirt, cocoa, light tar. Very decent stout.