Tag Archives: dry stout

LEFT HAND FADE TO BLACK EXPORT STOUT (2009)

Terrific non-traditional mocha-spiced full body with nebulous foreign/export stout labeling offers illusionary plentitude. Molasses-soaked anise, cherry puree and black cardamom lead the charge as nutty chocolate backend gains luster. Cappuccino-frothed espresso-dried coffee bittering enhances subsidiary wood-charred cola, macadamia, and hazelnut coarsening. Tertiary cocoa-buttered licorice, sarsaparilla, and chicory nuances eventually seep into the mix.

RIDGEWAY LUMP OF COAL DARK HOLIDAY STOUT


Image result for ridgeway lump of coal

Sadly, nebulous maroon-hued winter stout lacks expectant spicy seasonal intrigue and lusty mocha wanderlust, allowing witty Yuletide moniker to be more notable than muddled watered-down flavoring and diffuse charcoal aroma. ‘Dark Holiday’ seasonal claims to be “much more than you deserve for X-mas,” but thin roasted malting, dim chocolate-cocoa confection, concealed raisin-fig meekness, and dirty earthen whimper deaden impact. Understated hop-oiled cocoa-dried astringency blemishes dulled red-purple grape frolic, smothered pineapple-grapefruit slip, and cryptic anise snip.