Firehouse Smoke Jumper Stout

Draft. Deep brown when held up to the window. Taste of coffee, chocolate and roasted malt. A little balancing hop bitterness adds to the sweetness of the malts. Medium body. A very good session stout, not really dry.

On tap at the brewpub. Charcoal hued topped with metallic brown. Coffee aromas of steamed vegetables and doughy cinnamon brownies. Bits of mint, spices, and tobacco ash. Flavor is pretty restrained and leans somewhat too heavily on a peppermint and burnt caramel sweetness set over a body of underplayed baker’s chocolate and savory roast. Palate is sharp and somewhat acidic, brightly carbonated and medium in body. Finishes lightly bitter with mineral water. A quiet example, clearly not trying to be too much and succeeding fairly in that modest goal.

Growler. Pours dark brown with a ruby red tint and a tan head. Smells of coffee, dark chocolate, some pepper, caramel, hints of spiciness. Tastes of burnt malt, lots of toffee, hints of molasses, lots of sweet malt, sugar, touches of citrus. Mouthfeel is ouly with a finish that is sweet and lasting with a touch of pepper. Very nice!

Last stop of the return trip during ABA Beer Tour ’07. Sampled on draught at the brewpub restaurant in downtown Rapid City, South Dakota. Pours an opaque dark brown brew with a light tan head that slowly dissolves and leaves behind a spotty lacing. Aroma of toasted dark malt, rich coffee, a touch of coffee and plenty of earthy and flowery hops. Taste is full bodied with a slight carbonation added with flavors of dark coffee, and bittersweet Bakers cooking chocolate. Finish is creamy, with a dry bitter aftertaste. A solid dark and dry stout.