It is black as the darkest night. The head is rich and frothy with the staying power of snow on the top of Everest. The rich reverse cascade of nitrogen bubbles brings warmth to my heart. The aroma is vaguely floral hops and burned and smoky malt. The malt is sweet, so the effect is like sugar seared on the bottom of a pan. There is chocolate and coffee in there as a result of the malt, and it smells fabulous.
First sip is very Irish. It reminds me a lot of my beloved Guinness, but it is a bit more watered down and a little metallic. It is very clearly very drinkable, though. It tastes of vanilla and chocolate and a bit of coffee, but it's all in a rush as a sip, which is almost definitely not the right way to drink this lovely beer. It's more sweet than Guinness is in a sip, though, that much is very clear. I am positive I never gave this beer enough of a chance. The lacing on the glass is probably the most I've seen in a beer in a very long time, too. It's checking all the boxes, and I haven't even had a proper swig yet.
Tip-in is chocolate malt with a smokey undertone. The hint of vanilla in there with a light nitrogen fizz is very nice, and it almost covers the metal of the can. As the middle comes on, the milky smooth beverage takes on a life of its own. It is sweeter than I expected, and it has a nice, full body of taste and voluptuousness. The finish is a work of art. There is a bit of tart with the coffee and then the sweet chocolate comes in to cover it up. No bite here - just a very good beverage.
Bottom Line: A tremendous beer. If Guinness never existed, it would be a fantastic flag barer for Irish stouts.
4.75/5