American Stout
Saint Archer Brewing Co.

Very hoppy stout, crisp and clean but bitter

 

November 10th, 2011 - St. Archer's American Stout is American in that it is big, bold, and perfumed with whiskey - a "frontier spirit" with patriotism brewed into his liquid DNA. Indeed, the aroma is filled with charcoal and honey )scents often reserved for advertisements for Jack Daniels) but also a more direct stab and burn of whiskey, as if aged in a barrel. The flavor leads with a powerful wave of alcohol, but the depth of taste is there to support it, featuring more charcoal and honey, adding rocky roughness followed by a sweet medicine tonic to sooth burnt flesh.

 

This was a pretty puzzling attempt at a stout. No body or mouthfeel. It tasted like watered down coffee. If someone were to put this beer in front of you and didn't tell you it was beer you would probably think its day old coffee, and not beer. Very disappointing beer, 1.5 is a generous rating.

 

Reviewed from notes taken last week in Palm Springs. Amigo Room, Ace Hotel (ugh).

A- Pitch black body poured into a plastic cup. Dark tan mocha colored head several fingers high and good retention. Thin lace webs drape down the glass.

S- Dark roast grains and toasted nutty brown malts mostly. Some dark fruit yeast feel and sweets.

T- Roast grains mostly with cocoa powder and black malts resulting. Dark fruits here too with some sweetness. Nutty, toasted malts and some earthy citrus hops round it off.

MF- Slightly creamy moderately thick body. High end carbonation bites the palate and a bit of roast bitterness lingers.

Solid stout mostly roast and dark fruits. Not quite as rich and complex as many American stouts but pretty good and nothing off about it.