Dropkick
Gravely Brewing Co.

 

If we're looking forward to warmer weather, then we're looking forward to leprechauns and four-leaf clovers. So are the brewers of Gravely as they put together an Irish Dry Stout for a highly drinkable beer that won't give up on the roasted, toasted savory flavors of cold weather.

Pouring a dark roast coffee color, black through the center, Dropkick builds a creamy off-white head mounts, the robust scent swirls about the nose with coffee, cream, light char, light vanilla and hints of caramel and toffee. Flavors pick up on those mild sweetnesses of toffee and caramel along with a toasted nuttiness, roasted flavor and an emphasis on those coffee characteristics.

As the sweetness drifts, the dryness of the stout becomes its greatest attribute. Caramel and toffee dissolve and the dry taste of french press coffee begins to link up with the char of seemingly burnt toast, roasted pecan and a pep of bitter cocoa. Moderately bitter late, much of the broad and woodsy bitterness that's experiences is largely chocked up to a roast-derived bitterness instead. The subtle hops tuck nicely inside the roast and sell the taste of coffee quite well.

Medium bodied, but certainly light for stout. The dry roast, light alcohol and woodsy hops all facilitate a thin, dry and even arid texture. A return of cream and nutty remnants return for a light cola taste as the medium length aftertaste of coffee and campfire echoes boldly after.

Hmm, I enjoyed this more than Dave. A little on the musty side, but deep coffee notes and just a nice arid feel on the tongue. I don't know what that means necessarily, but that's the word that comes to mind. Had at the bar at Pies and Pints in Lexington, KY.