Finally the Cherry
The Bruery

really good, amazing how much cherry comes through such a robust base beer, fairly big and high quality stout at the core of this, neat no barrels too, they have proven time and again they have that in the bag, sometimes the extras come out a little better without it, which to me seems like the case here, tons of cherry, but also the vanilla and the strawberry are there as well, a little desserty and syrupy like you might find on a sundae, but thats the point isnt it? they make the intention pretty obvious, so that this doesnt quite hit like fresh picked strawberries and cherries is quite okay, i like the fruit intensity in this, the dark layers of grain and the depth they bring, and its actually not all that sweet for what it is, real well done. near black on the pour, a short but creamy light brown head on it from the tap, some loose lace as it drinks down, not as viscous or leggy as some of theirs that seem so thick and concentrated and reduced, this looks a little more approachable. the aroma is subtle compared to the flavor, some mild red fruit sweetness in play but how forward the cherry is in the taste comes as a surprise after a more roasty and chocolate forward nose, lots of grain here, char and espresso nuance as well, warming vanilla and alcohol, raisin fruitiness is there, but the taste really kicks it up, the center of this is all cherry with the strawberry behind it, not quite candy sweet, not medicinal either, but also almost more sauce or something than whole fruit, which works so well with the theme, and there is still an honesty to it to me. its crazy how it pushes through all the dark grain to be the flavor driver of this, vanilla is tastefully done, a nice accent but not dominant, and its quicker finishing than expected for a dessert beer, some nice balancing grain bitterness at the end, delicious overall, more balanced than most. could drink a couple of these, which i really didnt expect. the bruery does it again! one of the better fruited stouts ive had in awhile...

 

 

Finally, the Cherry pours a very dark brown, almost black, with a small but massively lacing head. The aroma is sweet, strawberry, and sweet candied cherry notes. The flavor hints at smoke, sweet strawberry and sweeter candy cherries. Good feel. Overall, it is a very sweet, candy stout, fruit-forward.

Poured at the local taphouse, looks like a typical stout (i.e. no red in the body that I could see), however it does hold a bit of a head and laces OK, which is nice...lovely nose of balanced sweetness and tartness, cherry/red fruit and chocolate...the palate is strawberry and cherry blended beautifully and well-executed, with plenty of present chocolate and vanilla in perfect balance. I had the lowest expectations for this one and it was the best performer of the Ice Cream bunch.