Cottonwood Almond Stout

Brewed by Carolina Beer Company
Style: Sweet Stout
Mooresville, North Carolina USA

I am not a stout drinker until I tried this one!!!! Once it hits your lips you are welcomed with an over abundance of flavor;however, it is not "stout" strong. I would HIGHLY recommend this stout to a non stout drinker.

Bottle. Pours black as black with a small brown head, which goes away quickly. Sweet almond aroma, like almond cake or biscotti, rose. Flavor of sweet almond cookies, rosewater, hint of coffee with cream. After taste of almonds, lactose sugar, but that disappears very quickly. Bit stick in the back of the throat, like soy milk. Body is nice and thick but not too thick, again like unsweetened soy milk. Damn! This is a fine fine beer. Sooooooooooooooo smooth.

Marzipan and fig aroma with soy sauce undertones. Dark brown with a medium tan head. Sweet at first but considerably drier at midpalate ending almost tart. Thin mouthfeel. Charred oak, licorice, and peat flavors. Nice creativity and very drinkable. Not a stellar beer, but I enjoyed it quite well.

Bottle. Pitch black, with but a thin scalp of tan bubbles. Big time coffee aroma, followed up by a big-time coffee flavor ... topped with a sweet nutty complexion, chocolate and sweetness. This is a damn, fine drinkable dark beer. Dedicated to DM. (#3424, 4/15/2008)

Black, Thick brown head. Mildly roasty aroma, with a hint of almond. Coffee-ish flavors up front, with a subtle but definate hint of almond in the finish. Nutty and smooth, with a full, soft finish. Nice brew! Sampled at 2004 Asheville Brewgrass Festival.

12 oz bottle

This looked interesting so given the chance I cracked open a bottle. Not being familiar with the Cottonwood brewery my expectations were for something decent but not unbelievable. It actually surprised me with its quality; if I could get this locally I might grab a six pack this fall.

Aroma / Appearance - The mocha colored head grew to a height of one finger before settling above the black fluid body. The nose reminded me of honey almond crisp cereal poured in a bowl with malty Dr Pepper. Hazel and fruity notes tickle the nostrils as well.

Flavor / Palate - The first sip shocked me with the depth and richness. Coffee, almonds and a hint of smoke come before the bubbly cola like finish. The bitter aftertaste highlights a drinkable and pleasant stout.

Rerate from fresh bottle from Peace St. Market, Raleigh, NC. Pours super dark brownish black with medium deep tan head. Aroma of dark malt, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, chocoff, hops. Perhaps the nuttiest aroma I have ever sensed. Tastes full bodied with hints of chocolate, tons of nuts, and spices. Smooth finish. Nicely done. More nuts than a gay porn gangbang flick. Gets a bit watery as it warms, but a great initial nuttiness.

Draught. Opaque black color with thick brown head. Distinct, sweet almond aroma with vanilla and brown sugar undertones. Prominent alomond flavor, slightly sweet with a bitter roasty finish. A real roller coaster ride.