Blackheath Sweet Stout
Arbor Brewing Company - Plymouth Taproom

 

 

 

 

 

This is was my first sweet-stout as well as my first brew from ABC, though I have returned many times since. The sweet-stout was not on nitro-tap, so it arrived carbonated with almost no head in a tulip glass. The flavor reminded me of a richer, more flavorful Guinness without the dryness. It was not overly sweet which I quite enjoyed.

EDIT 1-31-2010: I had this on-tap today after a year of abstinence. My taste has changed or the beer has changed as I did not enjoy it as much as I thought I did, the sweetness was just right but the complexity was completely lost.

Arrived with a thin mocha head over a black body. Aromas of light coffee and chocolate. Flavor was similar: light coffee and chocolate. Roasted bqarley is present, but not as big a player as in many stouts. Overall very mellow and smooth. Not overly sweet and very little bitterness. Low carbonation. Full, rich and smooth body and mouthfeel. Not as creamy as an oatmeal stout, but close.

I drank this for breakfast on St. Patrick's Day 2006. Paired well with my sausage, eggs and green garb. A mild-mannered, yet well-balanced and easy-drinking stout.

Stopped by this brew-pub for lunch on a visit to Ann Arbor. Found thru Beer-fly.
The sweet stout arrived at the table with no head at all. Lace was little if in spots. The aroma was chocolate and malty. The taste was good though the body was abit light or thin for a stout. Roasted barley, bakers chocolate, a touch of sweetened coffee and malts over alittle hop make up this stout. A smooth, creamy, easy drink that dose not get in the way of a meal. The mouth starts off crisp, while smooth and left a touch on the dry side.
Easy to order another, as long as you don't expect a big appearance.

Exceedingly black, this beer shows a head tinged by the darkness below. Typically good lacing and shines well in the right serving glass. Low carbonation makes for a steady appearance.

Smells of chocolate malts with a surprising amount of complexity, showing earthy sides that bounced between a variety scents. Dirty, smoky, bark-like? Black patent malt indeed, as the chocolate malts are really stretching their ability here in blending with a firm but small espresso tingle.

Taste is smooth with a strong coffee character as, again, the chocolate malts play brusque but not bitter on the palate. Sweetness is fairly balanced by a chalky sense of dryness, though this too is also restrained. Hops are negliglible and the lack of lactose is noticeable. True, it is not a milk stout and the menu even makes a mention of avoiding lactose in favor of vegan opinion, but both the mouthfeel and subtle milky sweetness would have done much to aid the roasted malts.

Best part is that the typical roasted barley attack common to most stouts is decidedly kept in check, upping drinkability quite a bit and loosening up the middle of the profile for less aggressive flavors to shine. Namely, the chocolate malt complexity with attendant light nutty accents. Upon further reflection on further pints, the black patent malts bring a true espresso bite and complexity to the beer, top to bottom.

As such, this beer drinks simply and easily but missing a tiny touch of subtlety to make it even better. But again Arbor brews a great traditional English pint. Made for sessions and a good example of a misunderstood variant of the multi-styles stout.

Big head with big bubbles. Laces well. Black.

Chocolate smell.

Sweet turns to bitter chocolate, then a little tart with a dry chocolate finish.

Feels smooth and creamy.

This is like strong chocolate milk without any added sugar. There is no hint of the 6% alcohol.