Dry Irish Stout
Surly Brewing Co.

Canned 1/19/2026 and reviewed 5/21/2026, so 4 months on a 4.5% beer might have affected some of these notes.
The pour is stout black with a 45 mm tan head that dissipates quickly and leaves no lacing.
The taste started out malty sweet, which is not a hallmark of a "dry" stout. Nor does it have any bitterness from roasted malts or hops. Breakfast blend coffee, chocolate, vanilla and toast all show up.
The feel is good; just enough body to remind you that you are drinking something you want to taste. If that makes sense.
OA, it's a very good lighter stout, flavor wise.

 

Dry Irish Stout pours a black, with a larger, long-lasting tan head. The aroma has notes of smoked meats. The flavor features smoked meats, chocolate, vanilla, and lots of oak, yet remains lighter and more approachable. Good feel. Overall, this is just an easy and very flavorful stout.

16oz can, painted label. Bottom date stamp is 'CANNED ON 01/19/26'.
Black colored body, with a reddish back lit edge. Two fingers of tan colored head, which becomes an island and full ring. Leaves behind a few scattered lacing spots.
Aroma of roasted malts, a little char, sweet cream, chocolate, and a touch of dark roast coffee.
Taste is sweet with more bitterness late in the profile. Flavors of roasted malts, molasses, a definite char, and late additions of chocolate and coffee. Aftertaste fades quickly and leaves a residue of roasted malts.
Seems a little thin for mouthfeel, with a slight metallic note. Dry finish. Numbs the tongue a bit but avoids being extra bitter. Good carbonation.
Fits for style, and its dry finish makes it a worthy candidate for session work (for Saint Patrick's Day observation).

Good dry irish stout with nice mouthfeel; more bitterness than a Guinness and much less sweeter than a Murphys to my tastebuds with a bigger burnt/charred/roasty/malty flavor than others. Different but certainly quaffable, indeed.

 

Aroma is big roasted malty and chocolate/milk chocolate. The flavor is fruit, chocolate/milk chocolate and an acidic roasted malt/smoky/slightly ashy finish.