Stout
Fair State Brewing Cooperative

 

 

Pretty basic Oatmeal Stout in terms of aroma and taste. Lighter bodied than expected, and while it is certainly smooth, it's not quite as smooth as expected for the style.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoyed this during my first visit at the taproom.

Serving Type: draft into standard pint glass

Look: Black, as a stout should be. Either it was not poured properly, or there was something wrong with the carbonation in the keg, but either way this stout was served to me with zero head. Probably the most disappointing part.

Smell: Roasted malt, coffee

Taste: The roastiness of the malt becomes even more evident in the taste with some dark roasted coffee carrying through. Black licorice is present as well, a taste I usually only find in RIS, but enjoy nonetheless. Ends with dry bitterness. Very roasty. The taste is generally reminiscent of one of the more flavorful Irish dry stouts. This is a smooth, sessionable stout that won't blow a palate.

Feel: It's just thick enough for a standard stout. They say it's brewed with oats, but I didn't notice any velvety oat smoothness.

Overall: As a new brewery, Fair State has decided to take a more standard route instead of doing something experimental. In a way, this approach is almost refreshing. Their stout is well executed, balanced, and and enjoyable to the last drop. The lack of a head was probably the biggest disappointment, and even that wasn't a big deal. In addition, despite their claim that oats were used, I failed to notice. However, this was an immensely enjoyable stout, and I look forward to having it again next time I visit the taproom.