Draught half-pint at NERAX on 5/2/07
First beer from these new guys and I’m very impressed. Lovely, bright appearance is very dark brown with light amber-mahogany tints and a creamy tan head that shows moderate retention, light lacing.
Light cocoa in the nose is not powdery or grainy in the least. Malts are soft on the nose, with semi-sweet bakers chocolate-like aromatics and just the right amount of base malt sweetness. Near perfect levels of chocolate malt that don’t go overboard, but still give enough definition to the style. Light vanilla and some cream notes on the finish give a pleasant, easygoing end to this flawless aroma. Little/no hop apparency, no alcohol/flaws. Medium-high strength of aroma and a very clean, fresh yeast presence.
As clean and put-together as the aroma is, the flavor is where it really shows its finesse. Light roast is chewy and leaves a snappiness towards the finish, while soft pale malts comfort the palate and provide body. For a 3.8 cask stout, you’ve got to absolutely nail the attenuation and balance of dark malts and they did it wonderfully here. Moderate chocolate is not overly bitter and tastes almost flakey on the palate, with a hint of nuttiness and chewy graham cracker-like texture. No flaws, hardly any wateriness, even allowing for the style but immensely drinkable and probably one of the best American beers at the fest. Awesome to see this difficult feat of brewing accomplished. I’ll be makin the trip up to Gardner to check these guys out soon. I may be under-rating this one.....