American Stout
JoBoy's Brew Pub

Today is Su, 14 October 2018 & the occasion of Oh, Boy, It's JoBoy's New Beer Sunday (Week 712). I bought a Variety sixer of bottles on my last visit & I got pics taken, resized & approved yesterday, so all systems are green & go. This one is a curiosity, having been added in 2014 with only two ratings in 2015 & 2017. As such, it fell into "Retired" status, despite being a brewery flagship beer! I got that changed.

From the Bottle: "Our American stout is a very drinkable dark ale with moderate roasted flavors and aromas. Hops are present yet balanced for the style. It has a slightly silky mouthfeel with a medium finish and it is very easy drinking for a stout."; "At JoBoy's we specialize in hand crafted beer & authentic southern BBQ."; "59 IBU".

I Pop!ped the cap & began a slow, gentle pour into the awaiting glass & although there was no mention of its level of carbonation, it rewarded me with a pseudo-cascade. This, in turn, produced just under three fingers of dense, foamy, rocky, deep-tan/light-brown head with very good retention, leaving a lot of lacing in its wake as it fell. Color was Black/Opaque (SRM = 44). allowing ZERO light penetration. Nose had a smoky, charcoal-like smell of a post-structural fire along with the bittersweet chocolate smell of Baker's Chocolate. Mouthfeel was medium-to-full and I will agree with them on "slightly silky". The taste was very roasty from the malts, but it hurt itself in terms of the style in terms of not being hoppier. The Style Guide marks generous amounts of American hops in its description & this did not fit that bill. That is not to suggest that it was a bad beer, nor am I disputing that it was American-made, but the brewery chose its style & in so doing, chose its fate. Finish was dry, moderately bitter, definitely a Stout, but not really an American Stout. Remember, rate/review to Style & not to taste!