Mutha Shucka (aka Mother Shucker)
Front Street Brewery

Picked up a growler while in Wilmington. Served in a shaker pint, the beer is a very dark, brown to black coloring with a tall, dense, foamy, light tan head that sits a solid inch and a half on the pour, but slowly settles into a low profile coating. The receding head leaves a great lacing along the glass. Aromas of bitter coffee, roast notes, cocoa nibs, brine, and earthy highlights. Pretty solid nose, balanced and tasty. Flavors are roast forward, with a solid, robust bitter coffee backbone, with highlights of charred wood, brine and salt notes, and dark cocoa nibs. Light, dry bodied, with a char and bitter coffee aftertaste. The finish has a lingering coffee and salty character, on a dry, light transition. Tasty beer.

 

On nitro tap as "Mother Shucker" at NoDa Brewing.
“Robust, full-bodied stout with a coastal twist: fresh Stump Sound oysters. Shells added in the mash provide calcium and minerals that enhance mouthfeel, and oyster meat added to the boil contribute a subtle savory and briny character. A NoDa Brewing Co. collaboration with FSB for NC Beer month. 6.6%” (FSB)

Pour is nearly all head that soon enough transforms into a large creamy tan head over a near black body. Deep, dark mahogany highlights at the edge reveal a clear beer. The sides of the glass are thoroughly coated with a thin layer of sticky tan foam.

Aroma: excellent; a model for the style. Loads of dark and chocolate roasted malts with a light oyster aspect.

T: Loads of dark and very dark roasted malts with a trace of smoke. Hints of dark chocolate and briny oysters. Marred by on overly bitter aftertaste.

M: medium-light body with very soft nitro carbonation.

O: Flawed aftertaste in this otherwise excellent example of the style. Still worth seeking out.