Classic Stout
Orono Brewing Company

On tap at the brewery location in Bangor.
Inky black opaque with a decent sized tan head that persists. Rich earthy roasty with a hint of dark chocolate. Earthy roasty bitterness to counter. nice stout.

 

Deep, dark cola color. Thick, foamy head, that dissipates quickly. Pleasant malty aroma. This is very much a classic stout in appearance and taste, more so than most American brews - very much as advertised. Moderately deep and rich malty flavor but somehow without the creamy texture of traditional Irish stouts. Is this unfiltered? I ask because there were dark flecks of sediment left in the bottom of the glass, which did not affect the flavor, but certainly did not look pleasing. Checked the date on the bottom - 9 months in the can. A good brew, not sure why it sat so long unsold.

Sampling a cellar temp 16 oz can poured into my snifter. I picked this up at a shop in New Hampshire in July and its been in my cellar since then. Holy Old Date stamp... 10/21/2020.... didnt notice that when I purchased the can. 7% should still be fine to be honest.
The beer pours a rich black coffee color with a creamy beige head of 1 cm foaming up. This foam fades to a large wispy island and a sturdy edge layering. the foam also leaves some scattered lattice when I take a sip or swirl the glass.
Aroma is mild, but I do get roasted malt notes and almost some charred wood, with dark chocolate mixing in for good measure. Not a sweet smelling nose, but still malt driven. No hop character nor any hint of the ABV.
First sip reveals a medium body with smooth texture and gentle carbonation. Drinks very easy on the physical traits.
Flavor is roasted malt and dark chocolate mixing with a faint hint of brown sugar and then back to some roasted notes and a bit of black coffee bitterness. No hops again and ABV hidden here too.
This is a sort of old school stout with no additives or flavoring, just some dark malt and roasted hits through and through.
Nice beer, even after 2 years in the can!

 

 

 

Canned 10/22/20
Pours a tan colored foamy 1 finger head with moderate retention, soapy lacing, very dark basically black color

Nose nice roasty dark malts, general roast but not a lot, dark chocolate and a little ganache, dark roasted nougat and caramel, some almond and nutty notes, toffee, and a bit of spice, a bit of coffee

Taste more rich cocoa and roasted malts, coffee and cream notes, but roast gets a little acrid, not quite burnt but acrid and bitter roast taste, a little spice and licorice, choc ganache, burnt hot cocoa, a little hot alcohol, bitter roast and a little spicy hop character, mild sticky finish, lingering spice, mild acrid roast

Mouth is med to fuller bod, touch of warming alcohol, med foamy carb

Overall not bad, sort-of a classic stout, more roasty/acrid than expected

From a 16 oz can dated 10/22/20. Sampled Dec 3, 2020.

Jet black opaque pour with gorgeous tan or mocha head. Good lacing left behind.

Sweet dark and chocolate roasted malts greet the nose. Maybe a biscuit note too. Distant floral hops.

The mouthfeel is soft, smooth, and medium.

A sweet and dark roasted flavor sums it up with a slightly cleansing floral finale. They called it a classic stout and it fits.