Polish’s Black Walnut Stout
Fort George Brewery + Public House

im so thankful i tried this one on a relatively fresh palate, as its somewhat subtle compared to some of the majorly flavored stouts these guys do, a bit more of a pint beer, a repeater, and its really good, such a cool ingredient to incorporate into a beer like this, it was as good as i expected it to be from one of the kings of stout. i like it not being imperial or as heavy as so many of their stouts are, the unique walnut flavor is not overwhelmed. a nice creamy off white head on top of a black but not real viscous base, looks excited and appealing, maybe slight haze to it in the right light, but not messy or anything at all. i smell basic stout first, roasty and clean, without a lot of middle malt richness nor yeast character, and just a hint of the green walnut thing, generic nuttiness too, dark chocolate, and an earthy mineral composition, intriguing but not in your face. stout first in the flavor too, and a bit more decadence as it warms with some oils from the nuts it seems and a little toffee complexion in the grain above the roasted barley, but it has nice bitterness and balance and the nuts now present more as toasted, earthy rather than sweet, and none of the green walnut rawness i could smell a little bit, some chocolate notes as well, and a smoothness for it being a little lighter in body. it does hang on the palate a bit, the carbonation is a touch light, and it has a curious linger perhaps from the nuts as well, but i love the idea and the execution is pretty solid. nuts are not an easy beer ingredient, and i think they get quite a lot out of them in this. this is very distinctive, ill remember it fondly until i get to drink another pint...

Oh man. This is a quintessential stout. I love it. Great lacing. Good aroma. Light body. Caramel notes. Silky and smooth texture. Not sure I taste the toasted walnuts, but a great stout nonetheless.

 

 

No cloying sweetness here! (Dare I say savory?) and easily drinkable.

 

 

 

On tap during Seattle beer week. Poured into an Elysian snifter. Pours pitch black with a thin light brown head that dissipates to a ring around the glass. Aroma of toasted malt, light chocolate and hints of black walnut. Very well integrated toasted malt, light char, dark chocolate and distinct, but muted black walnut, which is more noticeble in the bittering hops and charred malt and coffee finish. Medium bodied with light creaminess. Nicely balanced and tasty with the deft touch of walnut. A well made, flavorful American stout that I well seek out again.

A - Pours near black with an eggshell head.

S - roasted malts, coffee, served cold so a bit muted at first. Improved as it warmed.

T - Very very nice. Coffee and caramel dominate, like candy sugar without the sweetness. Whatever the walnuts are adding seem to smooth it out quite a bit.

M - Creamy and smooth. This was the most striking attribute of this beer. Full bodied and pleasant to drink as any beer I've ever had.

O - I ordered this just because it looked interesting and was quite glad I did. I'm surprised to be adding it to the database. Hope it's not a one off. Nice beer.