- black with a brown creamy head, roasted malt aroma, whiffs of chocolate and mocha, enticing and fresh; rich roasted flavor, creamy coffee and chocolate, flavor emanates in the mouth and on the tongue, taste ranges from sweet to bitter and slightly dry - one of the best sweet stouts around

Dark black rich and creamy. Rich chocalate flavor.Sweet with a hop bite. I love this killer stout.After drinking the another 22oz I had stashed in the fridge,I do believe this stout is the finest I have ever tasted. I have to give it a perfect rating.

A classic if there ever was one. The color is an inky cloak of solemn black. Head is a thick, crusty, toasted brown. Aroma: supreme example of roast, rich and invigorating, potent and powerful, dry and dreamy, a snootful could rise old Yorick from his grave. Further gleanings give more flavors, of anise, espresso, pepper, chocolate. I could smell this all day and think of nothing better to do! On first taste, I am transported! Beautiful bitterness, lush malt, titanic texture! Thoroughly magical hop play on the palate, to make old Prospero proud, malt as dark and knotted as King Richard's heart. Every single time I have the pleasure to sip this fine ale, any wintry discontent is made glorious summer anon! I happily suffer a sea-change, into something rich and strange! I feel like the world's mine oyster...mmmm. oy-sters! From Shakespeare to Simpson, that's how even the best of beers will tranform us all! Plainly put, the bard of beers does somehow have that bewitching power o'er me, and I am mezmerized good, as I like it. And when the hurlyburly's done, I am left clamoring for more! I couldn't change a thing about this perfect potion. Some stouts may be more bold or brash in alcohol or flavor, but none is more perfectly integrated in all it's parts and easily drunk and thoroughly enjoyed. Truly, the stuff dreams are made of!

Perfect beer! Dark, earthy stout with strong chocolate/coffee taste. Heavy aroma.

Best stout I’ve EVER HAD!!! Pours black and smooth. You can drink it warm or cold and it’s still good. Perfectly balanced and a nice nutty chocolate taste. The perfect stout. Your life will not be complete without this ale. John Maier exceeded the standards.