 SilkTork (3909), Rochester, Kent, England
May 16, 2004 Updated: Jun 21, 2007
Sept 2002. For a brewery which only started in 1995 Swale has already made an impression with their succesful Indian Summer Pale Ale which has won much acclaim. Now, with their Whitstable Stout filtered through oyster shells they have produced a beer which - given enough exposure - should be given World Class status; a beer with so much depth and complexity it can match that of the Trappist beers of Belgium. Complex yet subtle, subtle yet rich, rich yet smooth, smooth yet with a buzz on the tongue. This has dark, plummy fruits at the back and roasty things at the front, the balance between them seeming almost divinely inspired. The finish is dry and salty with the hint of a sea breeze. This is not a high alcohol beer, this is not a grab you round the throat and spit in your eye beer, this is not a beer which can be great but is often bad, this is not a beer for which you have to wait until you draw your pension before you drink it, this is a user friendly, consistent, ready to drink now masterpiece. Get it now or be forever on the fringes of what is vital and new in the world of brewing. [4.4]
May, 2004 Bottle Conditioned. BBE June 2003. This is the last of my saved bottles of the original Swale Brewery’s Whitstable Stout. A glorious beer. A refreshing, light, yet creamy smooth mouthfeel. A divine coffee aroma. A splendid range of quality flavours - wine, coffee, chocolate - each clearly defined and somehow perfect, yet blending and harmonising like a world class orchestra rather than the local school band. Everything is here that would be in other stouts, but done with craftmanship and delicacy rather than crude impact. I was afraid I might end up downgrading this, fearing that my earlier experiences had been a novice’s enthusiasm, but this tastes even better than I had hoped. And now I wish I hadn’t drunk it, because I’m afraid the new owners won’t be able to make it as perfecly as this... [4.7]
nolankowal (827), Dublin, Ohio, USA
Nov 21, 2007 Bottle. Thin dark brown pour with a tan film. Aroma of oats and fresh cardboard. Flavors of water and watery roasted malt. The body is thinner than the old men’s hair on the bottle....it’s actually refreshing at times, as if it were the Gatorade ® of stouts!
sliffy (1951), Columbus, Ohio, USA
Nov 15, 2007 Bottle: Pours brown with a loose tan head, I can tell it’s thin by the pour. Aroma, slight smoke, oats, a hint of a brand new freshly cut cardboard box. Flavor, some fruits, sweet oats, some slight hints of roasted malts and chocolate. Body is very thin and watery, and really detracted from the beer.
kp (6200), Woodstock, Georgia, USA
Sep 1, 2007 Name: Oyster Stout
Date: 02/12/2003
Mode: Bottle
Source: Wild Wing Cafe, Marietta
Black, nice tan head, roasted malt aroma, light roasted malt flavor, touch of chocolate, dry finish
Aroma: 5/10; Appearance: 5/10; Flavor: 5/10; Palate: 5/10; Overall: 10/20
Rating: 2.6/5.0
Score: **/4
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The score was calculated based upon the notes and an old scoring system.
DJMonarch (4091), Northwich, Cheshire, England
Mar 1, 2006 Cask Stillage at the Town Hall, Stockport 01/06/2001
Dark coloured stout with chocolaty aroma and flavour.
MrWalker (928), Stockholm, Sweden
Feb 14, 2006 Cask @ Blakes of Dover, 2 February, 2006
Loads of chocolte in both aroma (could smell it two feet away) and in taste. Ther are also burned sugar and licourice in there. Nice aftertaste.
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