Gritty McDuffs Black Fly Stout

Brewed by Gritty McDuffs
Style: Dry Stout
Portland, Maine USA

Gritty McDuff produces some very good brews this is one that I discovered while at college. The Black Fly stout is smooth and rich and creamy. Everything you could ask for in a stout.

Black Fly Stout pours to a jet black color with a thick, dense tan head, and a soft to moderate amount of carbonation. The nose is packed with lots of good dark malt aromas, some earthy ringwood notes, aromas of coffee, slightly herbal and citric hop aromas, and a good bit of roast. The palate is very firm and beefy, with lots of big dark chocolate, coffee, and roasty, and buttery flavors on the tongue. Black Fly finishes with more chocolate malt and coffee notes, then ends with a pleasing, dry, roasty fininsh and slight herbal hop bite that lingers. Stylistically this isn’t a very accurate example of dry or Irish stout, due to the use of Ringwood yeast, and Pacific North West hop varieties, such as Willamettes and Clusters. But that does not stop it from being one of the most delicious, and impressive stouts you will ever taste. This beer is very food friendly, and would work well with a number of hearty dishes, and of course shell fish such as oysters, clams, and Maine lobster. A Black Fly Stout, a boiled Maine lobster with drawn butter is a match made in heaven. Gritty’s beers are found in a number of markets in New England, especially its home state of Maine. If you find yourself in Portland, or anywhere in NE where Gritty’s is sold, pick up some Black Fly Stout, and see why this is one of my favorite beers, and brewpubs.

A burnt, bitter, malty stout. Moderately chewy to the mouth, but nevertheless, easy drinking and quite tasty. Dig a hole in the snow at the top of the Loaf, stowe a couple of stouts for later, and enjoy a day of skiing.

An excellent choice for starter stout, for those who want to go to the next level. Not as demanding as Rogue Shakespeare stout or Mackeson’s XXX. It is creamy, smooth, and sweet.

Bottle: Poured with an immense head ... nearly 100% tan foam, slow to surrender the liquid, solid like a whipped cream. Once it finally settles, it gives way to a nicely robust aroma of chalky chocolate and java. The flavors are nice too -- dark, bitter chocolate, black coffee and a bit of ash. Tad light in body, which isn’t what I’d expected after the massive head. Quality stout all the same. (#3213, 11/20/2008)

On cask, wonderful taste and feeling. This is how a stout should taste! Yummy.

Courtesy of Porterhouse <!-- P --> Aroma is somewhat nutty with lots of roasted notes, coffee and some sweeter vanilla accented bready notes. Body is flat black and holds a fluffy and lasting 3 finger thick mocha head. Very nice mix of roasted elements, coffee, chocolate and creamy mouthfeel. The added Brown Ale nuttiness and mild vanilla notes make this fairly unique. Seems to lack a little heft and taste almost non-alcoholic, but despite that the great flavor left me impressed and this turned out to be much better than anticipated. Very British feeling in mouthfeel, but the flavor is quite American and I’m pretty impressed.