Koutský 18° Tmavý Vánoční Speciál
Pivovar Kout na Šumavě

amazing stuff here, another cool one from these guys, thankful for diablo downtown seemingly regularly getting this family of beers on tap. this is the first i have ever seen of this one, stronger and darker than the rest of them in my experience, equally high quality. its high headed in the dimpled mug, brown ale looking in color, not quite clear, without much density or viscosity for its strength. the nose is quite autumnal to me, less umami than a lot of beers in this style, at least to me, more of a soil thing going on, wet and earthy and mature, the lager yeast is obvious and i get lots of nuance, wood in decomposition, raisin, slightly oxidized german malts, and molasses, real nice this time of year. the yeast is awesome in here, and it comes through all the grain, drying it out enough for the beer to be complex and malty without being rich or heavy really to me at all. the flavor has chestnut thing going on, a trace of campfire smoke, and a nutty warming thing happening as well. tree bark, forest floor, wet earth, carbon, faint soy, and toffee. its awesome, and it doesnt drink like 9% abv at all, even though i taste and feel a little alcohol in it. really compelling and distinctive in the style, oddly addicting too, like i want more than one despite the strength and big pour size. really good, especially with their grilled horseradish chicken wings in here, dont miss this while its around this fall!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've had this on-tap at Local Option a few times. Served in a big chalice.

A - Off-white foam settles to a thin cap, thick collar, and splotchy lacework. Dark brown body that is opaque when held to the light.

S - A mix of nuts, cocoa, bread, and light hints of buttered biscuit and nebulous berries. There's a faintly tart note that is unexpected but actually brings some balance to the sweet maltiness. Alcohol is extremely well-hidden.

T - The taste is a similar blend of chocolate, nuts, buttermilk chocolates, dark fruits, and a lightly tart and lactic note in the finish. Not sure if the sourness is intentional; it's mentioned in a number of reviews from all over the place so it sounds like part of the recipe. Again, no trace of the 9% ABV.

M - Medium-full body, super dry and toasty texture. Pleasant carbonation, and no discernible alcohol.

D - Interesting beer. I like the mix of nuts, cocoa, fruits, and tartness; seems like a very Old World doppelbock. Not a beer I'd drink often, particularly with the deceptive alcohol, but unlike anything else I've ever tried. Worth checking out.

Tap at Max's Taphouse in Baltimore, called Koutsky 18.

Light fizzy head, dark almost hazy molasses brown colored very light light coming through.

Nose nice toffee biscuit, herbal earthy hop and malt thing, sweet molasses caramel candy, light grassy hop, faint brittle and cocoa like.

Taste starts a bit sweet, candy sweet dark malts, toffee, some caramel molasses, and again peanut brittle with hint of cocoa and slight creamy. Mild grassy hop with lighter bitterness and touch of herbal earthy. Little chewy hop and decent overall bitterness. Touch of a dark candy wheat thing too with very faint candied banana. Finish is drier but slightly sweet sticky, more candy with toffee and brittle, light grassy hops.

Mouth is med to a bit fuller bod, nice carb.

Overall quite nice tasty beer with some sweetness and nice bitterness and drier finish. Nice sweet flavors with mild overall profile. Quite a nice beer.

 

 

Some beers are so great that you want to drink pint after pint of them, then there are the beers which are so good,but just a touch strong, that they make the perfect round off beer to an evening.

Koutský tmavý speciál is such a beer. Dark as sin and as tempting as all the good sins out there, topped off with a tan head. The nose is dark chocolate, warm toffee and caramel, and so the taste carries that theme on. Smooth and delicious, with just a perfect warming alcoholic glow in the finish.

Indescribably good.