The Sour Cherry Walrus
Väsen Brewing Company

So unusual, just might be the best beer I’ve ever had. What it lacks in certain attributes (feel, look) it makes up for in taste and smell. Seasonal and hard to get.

 

 

L: Had this beer on-tap at Vasen's taproom, poured into a snifter glass. Had a deep, dark brown color and a thick, opaque consistency. There was a quarter inch of foamy, off white, fairly long-lasting head. Not much lacing.

S: A very good aroma of chocolate, cherries, malt, citrus fruit, and a nutty quality.

T: Tasted of a mild amount of malt (present throughout), some citrus fruit (tangerine), lots of dark chocolate (a big ingredient), some strawberries, a light nuttiness, and some cherries. While not as tart / sweet as you'd expect, this flavor's pretty well done. It has a nice subtlety to it. Tasty.

F: A fair amount of carbonation with a smooth finish. Medium-bodied.

O: A solidly done, slightly unusual stout. Worth a try.

On tap at Väsen in Richmond.

Pours a dark brown, almost black with fine, tan head.

Smell is tart but roasted with notes of dark chocolate, coffee and cherries.

Taste is roasty and chocolatey to start, before a slight tartness sneaks in, with notes of cherries and coffee grounds.

Mouthfeel is medium, well carbonated.

Overall, a very interesting and different stout. The tartness doesn't take over, but hovers in the background, adding a unique element. Very tasty!