The pour is a black abyss of goodness. The foam is a nice, thick, and dark coat on top of that sticky blackness. It slowly goes away until it is a thin layer of demarcation between the beer and the harsh world outside. The aroma is a heavy malt and sweet chocolate with oat goodness. As you may be able to tell, I'm really looking forward to this. While I type, that delightful aroma is wafting its way over to me from the table beside my chair.
First sip is quite bitter. It's got a bit of a bite at the beginning, has a bitter chocolate center, and then it trails off with that familiar oatmeal stout malt twinge. Sipping a stout, though, is like watching Iron Man up to the point that he puts on the suit and then leaving the theater. So, it's time to drink like a proper Irishman.
It's better properly quaffed. It's got a creamy center that is hidden in the sip, and this changes the nature of the drink. It has the fortunate effect of also softening the finish as well.
In the process of writing this review, I let the beer warm up a bit. Of course, I'm not crazy enough to actually drink it warm, but it's no longer VERY cold. It's more of a cross between cold and cool. And the difference is staggering. The finish of the beer is much more sublime, and the overall taste has improved quite a bit. I wouldn't serve this beer warm, but I might hand it out and tell each person to let it warm to their own comfort level.
In the process of writing this review, I let the beer warm up a bit. Of course, I'm not crazy enough to actually drink it warm, but it's no longer VERY cold. It's more of a cross between cold and cool. And the difference is staggering. The finish of the beer is much more sublime, and the overall taste has improved quite a bit. I wouldn't serve this beer warm, but I might hand it out and tell each person to let it warm to their own comfort level.
3.25/5