Gritty's McDuff's Black Fly Stout
Gritty McDuff's Brew Pub & Restaurant

One pint on tap
Nice and black with a thick tan head
Great head retention
Some licorice and chocolate
Very smooth and creamy.
Good enough to enjoy a few.

With such promise and accolade, the American stout that Gritty's McDuff's rolls out highlights the toasty, roasty and burnt flavors of stout, but...

Pouring the deep and masculine darkness, its dark brown hues are bark-like and carry a voluminous, loose-knit head. It's roasted coffee-laced scent carries a sour cherry and cider note that's curious if not suspect. To taste, the dry roastiness takes precedence over any short-lived caramel, candy and cola sweetness.

Then through the middle palate, the beer's sweetness is absorbed by astringency and sourness and the roast is elevated to char, ash and dry cocoa. The taste of over-cooked coffee and sour fruit are both misplaced and upsets the balance. Burnt cherry, berry and currant flavors are peppery and carbonized. Moderately funky with mushroom and game, the stout's final impressions are peppery, medicinal and of burnt plastics.

Still, the beer's flaws have redeeming qualities- its dry and acidic body, albeit acrid and tart, usher in a drinkability that's easy and somewhat refreshing. If better controlled, its contamination could be steered into the realm of an intentionally soured stout with moderate success. But as is, it is off-balanced, unsettled and unnecessarily astringent.

This beer looks and feels pretty thin for a stout. That said it smells quite good and tastes a little sour but not so much so as to impair the overall flavor. I've only ever had it on tap at Gritty's, and it's my go to beer when I'm there, but it's not my favorite stout.

 

 

Hint of coffe, nice color and head. A little weak flavor.