Safe Word Stout
Man Skirt Brewing

DATE: February 14, 2021... OCCASION: What says Happy Valentine's Day better than an imperial stout named Safe Word? GLASSWARE: Citrabellum stemmed tulip... pours an intimidating black body supporting a roiling, lively--living?--multi-hued brown head that curls into a banking halo... sweet lactic aroma and big chocolate that suggests licorice, tootsie roll, and toasted malts... a bit of peat too, lending it some heft and character...enough hops also to elicit a dank, musty scent that makes this a bit ominous... milky, thick and medium-bodied, a dessert beer that packs an even punch.... though the can states 7.5% and the website says 8.5%, neither one would be detectable at this mouthfeel--maybe a little heat late, but it only evokes coffee...raspy and dry late... the flavor profile is big, with chocolate bricks, toasted malts, sweet milk, and welcome strength, enjoyable long after the sip finishes... Man Skirt does it again, with a big stout that produces a powerful effect, savory and lasting...

Canned on 12/16/2020. Poured into a tulip glass. It pours a dark walnut with some slight cola hues and a thick, bubbly, foamy, light khaki-colored head that dissipated slowly leaving residual lacing. The nose is roasty and features, baker's chocolate, burnt coffee and nuts, earthy char, and a whiff of tobacco ash. The taste features roasted malt, dark, bitter chocolate, burnt coffee grounds, and nutty, earthy char. It's quite dry but nonetheless very flavorful. It sweetens slightly as it warms in the glass. The mouth feel is a bit thin for an Imperial Stout but the level of carbonation is pleasant and the 7.5% ABV gives it good substance without overpowering. Overall, Safe Word is a well-crafted chocolate stout that has enough character to pair with a hearty meal but it's lite enough in body and ABV for casual drinking. I'm very interested in seeing how it ages in the can.