Samuel Smiths Extra Stout

Brewed by Samuel Smith
Style: Dry Stout
Tadcaster, England

On draught (nitro-kegged) @ the Anchor Tap, Tower Bridge.
Last one to try at this Smith’s tied house. Pours black with a hint of ruby-brown in the shallows of the glass and large bubbles that clung firmly to the sides. Inch thick pad of nitro-charged cream, made for a short serving in my opinion, that left oh-so typical rings of froth in its wake. Burnt pudding, liquorice and marmite nose. Quite light on the tongue and thin for flavour. Typical pasty, smooth feel with liquorice and burnt coffee and cocoa. Light astringency before a bitter malt swallow that leaves a touch of ash and coffee in the mouth. Can’t say there was anything wrong with this aside from the lean body. Just lacked something to put it up a notch. Sessionable, but straight forward.

Draught@Princess Louise, Holborn, London. Almost opaque black, nice creamy tan head. Crisp aroma with toasted malts in it. Smooth, creamy mouthfeel. Roasted malty, a copy of Guinness Draught but slighlty tastier and maybe fuller. Bitterness in the aftertaste is softer than in Guinness.

Cask, but electric pumped. Nice stout. Appearance very dark brown with a big nitro-style head. Malts, oats and chocolate in the nose. More malty bitterness in the taste, some dark chocolate, dry, roasted malt finish.

On Tap. Tasted EXACTLY like Guinness. I would be lieing if I said I could taste the difference. Especially since it was so cold. Solid Beer.

1. Keg Handpump at the Boot Inn, Chester 17/04/2004 Dark red coloured and smooth on the palate. Bitter slightly dry roast finish. 2. Keg Handpump at Sinclairs Oyster Bar, Manchester 21/12/2007 Some roast aroma. Thick creamy head. Black and slightly rich on the palate with a bitter dry roast finish. 3. Keg Handpump at the Golden Ball, Scarborough 06/12/2009 Roast aroma. Thick creamy head. Dark red coloured smooth on the palate and fruity with a crisp and dry burnt roast finish.

Smallish tan creamy head; opaque black body. Aroma so faint I can’t pick anything up. Dense, burnt, coffee-ish, bitter taste. Very harmonic. Faintly sourish. Taste subdued, yet complex. Very nice, and very drinkable, if not the most exciting stout I’ve had. (On tap at Cittie of Yorke.)

Pint poured at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street (London), black with a think creamy head. A rich caramal malt aroma. Slightly burnt caramal flavour with hints of fruity hops. Very smooth with good bitterness in the aftertaste.

Keg at Anchor Tap, Southwark. Very dark ruby with dark beige creamy hea. Choc nd roasted malt flavours. good in mouth with some good cereals. Finish is drying with more roast malt. OK stout