Northumbrian Stout
Acton Ales (Gundog Brewery)

I've partaken in this beer quite a few times admittedly, but never took the time to give it some proper attention.

It pours into a pint glass dark opaque brown, almost black, with ruby tones in the light. Thick, creamy, lingering, light brown head 2-3 fingers high - tan in the shadows - and moderate lacing on the glass.

The nose is almost gone which I find suprising, but there's mild sweet toffee, molasses, and subtle coffee if you really try.

Moving on to taste there's initial liquorice, sweet malt, and molasses on the sip, but it's so fleeting one almost misses it. The flavour blossoms more noticeably when it leads into charred malts, roasted coffee beans, and smoky grains, which makes up the dominant palate of the stout. The finish is almost as skirting as the sip with slight bitterness and a hint of cocoa bean coming through, although smoke lingers from start to finish masking a lot of the transition. There's a definate bourbon quality to this stout with malty smoky flavours especially on the aftertaste, which reminds one almost of a scotch ale without the kick. Fruit is present, but it's a very subtle cooked cherry, plum and fig, and - if I'm not mistaken - burdock manifests, increasingly, the more I concentrate on it.

The feel is medium-thick bodied with light carbonation. It's not as thick as I was expecting for a stout which makes it easy drinking, but it still remains smooth, and clean, reminiscent of a brown ale.

I would've liked a bit more punch with the flavours - backed up by the lack of nose - but overall it's rather pleasant; thinner than I would've liked, but at the same time it leaves room for more - which it tempts you to do with its balanced nature. Nicely paired with Sunday lunch.