Twist & Stout
Spire Brewery

(Notes of 28/12/2007) Tasted by a half-pint at the Devonshire Cat in Sheffield, served by a sparkler pour.

A: nearly black comes the colour, topped with a creamy cocoa-like, dark beige/light brown froth to last.
S: chocolate milk, char, coffee and cocoa all spring to mind at the first sniff... very smooth and yet rich in terms of composition; given a swirl, winey notes and dark fruits manifest themselves like a breeze, plus a rounded aroma as of nutty malts.
T: coffee-ish flavour and mild acidity of roasted barleys come together upfront, showing mid-level bitterness and light sourness on the balance, lubricating on the mouthfeel and yet pretty light-bodied... Semi-licorice and semi-root-herbal bitter-sweet undertones linger in the finish, leaving more roast nuttiness and a dry-ish twist in the remote end.
M&D: a balanced, well-crafted stout showing a sound malt roastiness and hop bitterness throughout the drink. Easy-drinking, but every drop is worth a careful sip so as to fully appreciate this black nectar~~