Creekside Special Stout
Creekside Brewing Company

 

NOTE (09-20-2010): This recipe is constantly changing. I've now had four different versions of "Creekside Special Stout", ranging from bitter coffee stout to low ABV sweet stout to (last night) oatmeal imperial stout. I don't think Eric has any plans to settle on a set recipe. He likes to experiment.

As pointed out in my other review below, Eric has changed this recipe a lot since he first came out with it last year. The ABV on the most recent batch is down to 5.0%, and the beer is much simpler and more balanced in my opinion.

Sampled this on nitro-tap at Creekside yesterday afternoon. Following review written from notes.

Served in a 16oz. nonic.

Appearance: Came to the table with a half-inch layer of dense, khaki foam on top. Mmmm. As with most nitrogen-infused beers, the head displayed excellent retention; retaining its initial form for essentially the entire session. Body is black, but not opaque: deep red flashes through when held to light. Spotty lacing.

Smell: Roasted malt, chocolate, and bread. Hops are pretty subdued. Nothing surprising.

Taste: Chocolate malt, bread, light pine, and... lactose? Hops are once again difficult to find, though the overall flavor is pleasant. Very simple.

Mouthfeel: Smooth and creamy with soft carbonation. Body is on the light side for a stout. Aftertaste features light bitterness from the roasted malt; it's both mild and enjoyable.

Drinkability: I think Eric put this on nitro in hopes of converting some Guinness lovers on St. Patty's Day (tomorrow). In my opinion, this beer flat out dominates Guinness in every category except maybe appearance. I realize this is actually an American stout, but this batch on nitro displays simple roasted flavors along with hints of caramel and pine, much like an Irish dry stout. A bit more complexity would be nice, but Special Stout (this batch anyway) seems like a great fit for any situation.

Poured a black with good carbonation and solid brown head. Nose is chocolate, oats, coffee and roasted malts. Taste was there but the body seemed thinner than I recall from my last visit a few months. Probably just the batch, but this time not as creamy or hearty. Moutheel is tasty but thin. Drinkability is good but like I said, theis batch was a bit thinner, a winner 99% of the time.

Draught at the brewpub. Black with a small tan head. Big roasted malt aroma with light coffee, but mostly vivid roasted grain. The flavor is also very roasty, with some dark chocolate and medium roast bitterness. Not much hop character breaking through the big malt flavor. Medium-full bodied with medium carbonation. The big roast component dries that flavor out and makes this very drinkable despite the strength. The profile is almost like a dry stout turned up a couple notches. The best beer of the flight.