Great Waters Cherry Stout

Cask-conditioned: Nearly black, almost, just close enough, with a nice, cocoa-tan head proudly roosting atop. Nose is roasty and sweet, emitting plenty of fruity, cherryish notes, black currants, blackberries, more than merely cherries, though that indeed is what went into this brew. I had beermatrix at my elbow telling me it was too sweet, but it was just enough for this guy, pretty well-balanced, although in truth, the body’s a bit too thin for a stout of my liking. Texture is slick, creamy, easy to take, but the finish is long, and the flavor lasts and lasts...just isn’t full enough in body, though. Very nice, I must say, an excellent accomplishment from this brewry, and I hope to return for more before too long.

Nice black color with a good, foamy, Guinness like head. Very faint cherry aroma. Good malt presence in the taste along with an excellent offering of cherries. It definitely has that Kriek kick to it. Fairly thick as well. One of the good ones!

Black Coloring. Small Sandyi Head. Cherry is Apparent in Aroma and Flavor...almost Reminds one of a Framboise...and then the Malt of the Stout Kicks in... Very Smooth... But one of the Better Offerings at Great Waters.

On-cask at the brewpub: Lovely off brown yellowy color as it casacades from the pull. Finally settles to a very solid dark brownish black color with some dark ruby slivers nearer the bottom. The head is the most remarkable thing about this one. Majorly thick 3/4 inch cap thats evenly distributed and incredibly smooth with not a bubble to be found. It looks like chocolate milk sitting on top of used motor oil. Gorgeous! Aroma is soft and yeilding with some light roasty black malt sweetness with a nice mild mix of dark cherry and a dash of cocoa. Taste is just as mellow and mildingas the smell, smooth and soft roasted malts that are touching some sweetness, a brief coffee note close to the front, middle maintains a sweeter ride with the soft dark cherry tang delicately swooping across. Ends with bit more heightened tang of the cherry left on the lips and the back of the palate, notes of cocoa dash in and out but mostly the cherry ride keeps center with a soft yet firm tang. Feel is smooth and firm with about a medium body, warm and tangy with a nice cask creamyness. Unfortunately for me the tang in the finish was a bit much for me to continue on drinking more, it didn’t quite grow on me as much as I had hoped. Still comes across as a solid brew though.