Cottonwood Rye Stout
Carolina Beer Company

Served in a pint glass at their outlet in the Charlotte airport (See my review of that location for more info.) I've noted availability as limited, since I don't want to make promises that the brewer will repeat this batch. I do recommend that they should.

Almost-black stout with just a hint of garnet when held to the light. Cocoa head that dissipates rather quickly. I'm all set for a pretty typical stout experience, but the smell is intriguing. Amid the coffeeish roastiness is something else, an odd, but pleasant spicy note that I can't quite pin down. Drink a bit. Good stuff. Does everything a stout should, with good roasted malt. The roast even seems to come with barely a hint of smoked malt. which, with the bonus of that odd spicy character. I glance at the tap handle again and see that word "rye." It all clicks into place and explains that odd spice. Very well integrated into this brew.

A medium bodied stout with none of the wateriness that plagues the big irish brands, but without the heaviness of the impy stout range. I would have started a nice little session with this beer if I didn't have to make a boarding call for my flight home. A very well crafted brew that's been added to the short list of beers for this homebrewer to clone.