Curst
Old Irving Brewing Co.

16 ounce can into a snifter. Canned 9/24/24, had 7/30/25.

Pours an opaque dark brown, with a half inch head of darker foam and a little bit of darker foamy lacing. Kinda thick looking. Aromas of bourbon, roasted malt, oak, chocolate, some rye whiskey, some vanilla- more as warmed, some prune. Smells a little spicy. Flavors of bourbon, spicy rye whiskey, roasted malt, oak, chocolate, light vanilla. Smooth, thick, a little creamy, a very good full body, appropriately carbonated.

A hardy ale indeed, heavily roasted. But the delicious and spicy rye whiskey cuts through that to a degree and softens it a little. Strong barrels overall, distinct aromas and flavors. Thought this would be good, but it’s really good.

One of the most underrated & consistently excellent stout brewers around. And here I sit with another 16 oz. of their liquid.

Depression black that already lost its head. The nose is deep, sweet malts & a whole lotta bourbon.

Curst is a simple beast. Boozy heat slaps the palate, followed by a staccato burst of bourbon, cut by a bit of spiced rye, which grows as the beer warms. The brewery might insist there is vanilla or pepper or mole’ sauce in here, but it’s 100% malt & barrel. Sweet, but goes down easy.

Doesn’t reach the tough scalable heights of other Old Irving masterpieces, but a very good brew.