On handpull at the Livery. Listed as 7% abv. Dark dark stout black brown with a thin white ring of a head. Lightly sweet roasty acidity. A bit of chocolate comes across like a sweet stout. A bit creamy, no hops. Low carbonation (duh), not too thick. Small bubbled. Sweet balanced by roast. Significant chocolate. A bit acidic. A bit of astringency, making this beer a bit more drinkable even. A bit of floral hops in here. Crisp clean finish, this really didn’t taste 7%!

Tasted 4/27/08. 6oz Cask conditioned sample from the brewpub. Dark brown hue, almost pitch. Taupe head. Good nose! Hoppy nose with hints of syrup and cocoa. Dark fruit and coffee. Anise and toasty. Low effervescence. Low acidity. Medium bodied and smooth. Smokey and malty. Dark dried fruits. Touch coffee flavor. Bittersweet chocolate. Rolling malt palate. Easy soft and well crafted.

Handpull at brewery: Deep brown hue with some coppery highlights, minimal head and no lace. The aroma has notes of walnut, chocolate, slight smoke, plum, tobacco, and very roasty overall. The taste starts smooth and malty with a background of twangy plum. The midsection is grainy and grassy. The finish is nutty and has just a dash of smoke, very balanced. The mouth feel is lush, heavy, oily with zero bite. While not a session brew this is hardly a Strong Ale either, a soft and oh so good brew.

Cask conditioned draft sample at brewpub. Poured dark brown color with an average light brown fizzy head that mostly lasted with good lacing. Good roasted coffee & caramel aroma. Medium to full body with a smooth texture. Modertate to heavy roasted woody flavor with a moderate to heavy bittersweet finish of average to long duration. Another strong drinkable beer.

On tap at the brewpub. Nitro. Pours pitch black with a light brown head. A bit of a twang in the nose with light roasted malt character. Tastes like iced coffee with creamer. Creamy medium body. Low carbonation. Dry finish. I’d bet the nitro is holding this beer back.