Big Rock McNallys Reserve

Brewed by Big Rock Brewery
Style: Dry Stout
Calgary, Canada

I really enjoyed this stout. It had a full mouthfeel and plentiful dark head. The flavour was that roasted maltiness with maybe a slight touch of sweetness. Went down smooth on tap at the KVR pub in Penticton.

I disagree that it is weak in flavour, as Beer Prince says below. Rather I think mr_kimchee, below, is correct that the flavour starts out great but goes thin at the finish. I like the deep brown apearance, the roasty smell, and the tart taste. The weak finish is unfortunate, but not a bad dry stout at all.

We headed out to see a film festival screening of Zack & Mimi Make A Porno, but it was sold out, so instead we hit the Hop-In Brewpub to have a pint. This was on tap. Pours a near-black brown with a creamy light brown head displaying excellent retention and decent lace. Low aromas of roast, chocolate, faint acidic fruit. Creamy smooth roasted malt, chocolate, and a lactic quality make up the palate, which is a tad on the thin side. Overall not a bad beer, but the lighter character had me thinking this was more of a London style porter.

Here’s a recipe for a new cocktail; 1 part water, 1 part Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout, 1/4 part fig juice. I call it Big Rock Mcnally’s Reserve! Seriously though, it’s inoffensive but nothing great. That said, I still buy it at the pub, because I love Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout, and it’s cheap cause I live in the city where it’s brewed. I also give it points ’cause it’s one of the only stouts I can drink when I’m super thirsty, cause it’s very smooth, like more smooth nitro than canned guinness. There’s nothing WRONG with this beer, but it doesn’t stand out. Drink it! It’s okay!

Draught at Hop In Brew Pub, Calgary
Black color, creamy head. In the beginning the aroma is creamy, with roasted malt; then it shows a light cheesy touch. The flavor has a more evident cheese touch, reminding me Casera (cheese from the central Alps, similar to tomme, but produced with semi-skimmed milk). The final is a bit weak. Not bad, but indeed peculiar.

Pours a black body which resembles used oil. No head upon the pour. Aroma was of espresso and smoke. Taste was weak but there was a light coffee note and the finish was dry and somewhat roasted. Easy drinking beer but was kind of weak in flavour.

Black with no head. Great chocolate coffee nose. Unfortunately it smells far better than it tastes. Rather thin and weak light coffee flavor with light roasted finish

Draught. Typical creamy light brown nitro head. Transparent dark brown-black beer with ruby tints. Thin aroma, some dark toasted malt, a hint of cherry/blackberry fruit and a faint shot of roasted grain. Not anything that would blow you away, but not really bad either. As it warms, the lack of body becomes apparent but I suspect that if it was off nitro, it would be a bit better.