Hillcrest Peated Dry Stout
Dual Citizen Brewing Company

 

a cool beer right here, dark and dense looking from the tap, a cleverly flavorful and yet low alcohol stout, peated, which is the real kicker for me. lots to like here, starting with a dry ashy charry roasted unmalted barley base complexion, its bitter and simple, but really well put together, not too much middle on it, which i think favors the subtle peat. i get some nice light earthy smoke from the peated malt, faint iodine, scotch whiskey, and minerals, warming, and i find myself surprised this is as low alcohol as it is. i like how it accents the beer without taking over too, fading in and out, and just lingering a bit in the finish with the roast. it feels wintery to me, has a nice body for its low abv, and a fine smoothness, almost nitro feeling. some deep chocolate notes, unbrewed coffee, and old wood. its a smart beer, i think the inclusion of peated malt makes it unique, and i think the restraint it shows with that element offers a lot of promise for future creative beers from dual citizen. we had a great time here and i will look forward to going back for more!