Moon Sliver
Sacred Waters Brewing Company
- From:
- Sacred Waters Brewing Company
- Montana, United States
- Style:
- Irish Dry Stout
- ABV:
- 6.8%
- Score:
- +9 ratings needed
- Avg:
- 4.34 | pDev: 0%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 1
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Today at 05:05 AM
- Added:
- Today at 04:33 AM
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 0
NO SCORE
-
-
This Irish Export Style Stout that was briefly rested in second use oak barrels with orange peel and cocoa nibs. This intensely malty and roasted beer has notes of chocolate, orange and toffee.
Recent ratings and reviews.
Reviewed by colts9016 from Idaho
4.34/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.34/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Review: 2631
Name: Moon Sliver
Brewery: Sacred Waters Brewing Co
Location: Kalispell, MT
Style: BBA Irish Stout
ABV: 6.8%
Canned: May 2026
Date: 06 June 2026
Initial Impression:
I already tried the non-barrel-aged version of this Irish stout, and it was a wonderful showing. This one immediately piqued my interest because of the orange and cocoa nib additions, as well as the barrel treatment. I cannot recall ever having a barrel-aged Irish stout before, so I was curious to see how those elements would interact with a style that traditionally relies on restraint rather than excess.
Appearance:
Served at 52°F in a tulip. The pour created a frothy, airy light-tan head about half a finger thick with below-average retention, fading quickly and leaving thin patches of foam across the surface.
The beer pours nearly black with deep mahogany-red highlights around the edges of the glass. Fully opaque and charting around SRM 32, it presents well overall, though I was hoping for a creamier, longer-lasting head more reminiscent of a classic Irish stout.
Aroma:
Roast-forward with subtle adjunct character. The orange and cocoa nib additions are present but restrained, contributing faint notes of citrus zest and dark chocolate rather than dominating the profile.
Dark roasted malt leads with char, medium-roast coffee, dark chocolate, toasted bread crust, and light toast. Supporting aromas include earthiness, molasses, faint anise, light yeast character, and a touch of pine resin. The barrel influence is understated, showing only a gentle woody note rather than an overt spirit character.
Flavor:
The beer opens with classic stout flavors of roasted grain, bread crust, medium-dark chocolate, coffee, char, and a touch of leather. As it warms, subtle hop notes emerge, bringing hints of pine, jasmine-like florals, light grassiness, and faint fruity esters.
The adjuncts remain complementary rather than assertive. A touch of orange zest and cocoa nib adds depth and complexity without pushing the beer toward confectionery territory—earthy notes and a light woody character further round out the profile. Throughout, the roast remains the focal point while the hops, barrel, and adjuncts provide additional layers.
Mouthfeel:
Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation. Lightly tannic with a touch of astringency. The finish is dry, rich, and pleasantly lingering.
Overall Impression:
The base Howling Moon was already a wonderful example of an Irish stout, and this version elevates it without losing sight of what made the original enjoyable. The barrel treatment and adjuncts are used with restraint, adding nuance rather than overwhelming the beer.
What I appreciate most is that the orange never becomes cloying or artificial. I generally dislike chocolate-orange combinations because they often taste manufactured and overly sweet. Here, the orange and cocoa nibs contribute subtle complexity while allowing the stout to remain stout.
Overall, this is a thoughtful and unique interpretation of an Irish stout/export stout hybrid. It retains the drinkability and balance of the style while offering enough barrel and adjunct character to make it distinct. I would happily sit down with another pint of this.
Today at 05:05 AMName: Moon Sliver
Brewery: Sacred Waters Brewing Co
Location: Kalispell, MT
Style: BBA Irish Stout
ABV: 6.8%
Canned: May 2026
Date: 06 June 2026
Initial Impression:
I already tried the non-barrel-aged version of this Irish stout, and it was a wonderful showing. This one immediately piqued my interest because of the orange and cocoa nib additions, as well as the barrel treatment. I cannot recall ever having a barrel-aged Irish stout before, so I was curious to see how those elements would interact with a style that traditionally relies on restraint rather than excess.
Appearance:
Served at 52°F in a tulip. The pour created a frothy, airy light-tan head about half a finger thick with below-average retention, fading quickly and leaving thin patches of foam across the surface.
The beer pours nearly black with deep mahogany-red highlights around the edges of the glass. Fully opaque and charting around SRM 32, it presents well overall, though I was hoping for a creamier, longer-lasting head more reminiscent of a classic Irish stout.
Aroma:
Roast-forward with subtle adjunct character. The orange and cocoa nib additions are present but restrained, contributing faint notes of citrus zest and dark chocolate rather than dominating the profile.
Dark roasted malt leads with char, medium-roast coffee, dark chocolate, toasted bread crust, and light toast. Supporting aromas include earthiness, molasses, faint anise, light yeast character, and a touch of pine resin. The barrel influence is understated, showing only a gentle woody note rather than an overt spirit character.
Flavor:
The beer opens with classic stout flavors of roasted grain, bread crust, medium-dark chocolate, coffee, char, and a touch of leather. As it warms, subtle hop notes emerge, bringing hints of pine, jasmine-like florals, light grassiness, and faint fruity esters.
The adjuncts remain complementary rather than assertive. A touch of orange zest and cocoa nib adds depth and complexity without pushing the beer toward confectionery territory—earthy notes and a light woody character further round out the profile. Throughout, the roast remains the focal point while the hops, barrel, and adjuncts provide additional layers.
Mouthfeel:
Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation. Lightly tannic with a touch of astringency. The finish is dry, rich, and pleasantly lingering.
Overall Impression:
The base Howling Moon was already a wonderful example of an Irish stout, and this version elevates it without losing sight of what made the original enjoyable. The barrel treatment and adjuncts are used with restraint, adding nuance rather than overwhelming the beer.
What I appreciate most is that the orange never becomes cloying or artificial. I generally dislike chocolate-orange combinations because they often taste manufactured and overly sweet. Here, the orange and cocoa nibs contribute subtle complexity while allowing the stout to remain stout.
Overall, this is a thoughtful and unique interpretation of an Irish stout/export stout hybrid. It retains the drinkability and balance of the style while offering enough barrel and adjunct character to make it distinct. I would happily sit down with another pint of this.
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