From notes: bottle bought in Tokyo in May 2008, enjoyed October 2008. Almost black color. Small head. Aroma’s: sweetish, roasted malts. More roasted retronasal with additional sweetness and some bitterness. Flavor is moderate sweet, coffee, moderate bitter. Light to medium bodied. Finishes with coffee, bitter, but not harsh. Nice!

Bottle rated from notes. A dark black pour with a smooth body and a somewhat more intense flavor than their regular canned stout. Good stuff I wonder why I don’t see this around anymore?

A perfect pour at Popeyes gives it a 5 for looks: Beautifull breaking leaves it with a thick brown head and and a dark brown colour. Light metallic roast aroma. Chocolate, a hint soy, a bit molassis. Chocolate aftertaste plus a hint salt. Unusual but good.

Echigo makes at least 3 stouts: An unfiltered bottled one at 6%, a filtered once in the can at 7%, both of which are called Echigo Stout, and this one, also filtered, at 7%. I’m not sure of the connection between the other two, but this one is definitely different. Black. The tan head quickly went to a few mm. Fruity, hoppy aroma, with roasted malts and nice American style hops. Woody, smoky, roasted flavor, with esters, hops, just a touch of cherries, coffee. Slightly sour. Light palate, crisp and refreshing. Interesting for a stout.