Cherry Stout
Great Waters Brewing

Nearly black, almost, just close enough, with a nice, cocoa-tan head proudly roosting atop. Nose is roasty and sweet, emitting plenty of fruity, cherryish notes, black currants, blackberries, more than merely cherries, though that indeed is what went into this brew. I had tavernjef at my elbow telling me it was too sweet, but it was just enough for this guy, pretty well-balanced, although in truth, the body's a bit too thin for a stout of my liking. Texture is slick, creamy, easy to take, but the finish is long, and the flavor lasts and lasts...just isn't full enough in body, though. Very nice, I must say, an excellent accomplishment from this brewery, and I hope to return for more before too long.

On-cask at the brewpub: Lovely off brown yellowy color as it casacades from the pull. Finally settles to a very solid dark brownish black color with some dark ruby slivers nearer the bottom. The head is the most remarkable thing about this one. Majorly thick 3/4 inch cap thats evenly distributed and incredibly smooth with not a bubble to be found. It looks like chocolate milk sitting on top of used motor oil. Gorgeous!

Aroma is soft and yeilding with some light roasty black malt sweetness with a nice mild mix of dark cherry and a dash of cocoa.

Taste is just as mellow and mildingas the smell, smooth and soft roasted malts that are touching some sweetness, a brief coffee note close to the front, middle maintains a sweeter ride with the soft dark cherry tang delicately swooping across. Ends with bit more heightened tang of the cherry left on the lips and the back of the palate, notes of cocoa dash in and out but mostly the cherry ride keeps center with a soft yet firm tang.

Feel is smooth and firm with about a medium body, warm and tangy with a nice cask creamyness. Unfortunately for me the tang in the finish was a bit much for me to continue on drinking more, it didn't quite grow on me as much as I had hoped. Still comes across as a solid brew though.

On cask at the brewpub...

Long awaited, gathering the load of Michigan cherries, etc. Dark and opaque, a greyish tan head that seems to be a mixture of dusky purplish cherries and malt contributions. Laces in thick sheets. Nice aroma, sweet malts, touch of java, and just a bit of fruit -- fine combination with nothing overwhelming. Mouthfeel is very full and creamy. A sweet cherry tanginess hits first in the flavor profile, becomes more distinctly fruit flavored mid mouth, and transitions very nicely into a chocolatey finish with a slight coffee aftertaste. Nothing jarring or obvious. Very nice blending of flavor profiles with good aroma and texture. The new brewer is doing good!