Irish Stout
Barbarian Brewing

 

on nitro, in the dry irish stout tradition, and honestly about as good as a murphys, which is to say insanely amazing, especially as we roll into early spring here. credit to these guys for both pursuing and executing this with the highest degree of old world intelligence, i need 40 more nonic pints please! nitro makes it stunning, the glass is never clear because the coal black liquid acquiesces to white wall paper paste thick lathery froth that hangs to every millimeter of the glass after each pull, so creamy. the aroma and flavor are rightly subtle, smooth and long and roasty, bitter and dry indeed, with proper irish ale yeast well in play, a spent coffee grounds thing, and almost no interfering middle malt, its light enough to be almost thin, and each sip sort of ghosts my palate at the end, no smoke, nothing acrid, no trace caramel, its clean and tight and truly old world, the yeast drives it as much as the grain does. the texture is as important as the taste, and it hits the belly in an almost soothing way when taken in combination. this is so authentically executed it almost makes me forgive them for the gross cereal and candy beers and slushies that keep bringing people in, but make no mistake, these guys can brew straight up beer with the best of them when they go for it, and this is the proof. elite, and it gives me new respect for barbarian, straight up!