Blackadar
Milner's Gate

Taster at Milner's Gate. Near black pour, fine beige head. Roasty aroma and taste, burnt toast, chocolate, light bitterness. Straight up stout done well.

on the menu at 7.2% abv yesterday i think, maybe this has increased in more recent batches, or maybe i already remember it wrong. either way, a wonderfully balanced and full flavored american stout, no frills but lots of layers, i miss beer like this, simple and just well executed and unpretentious, probably the best beer i have had in here to date. deep brown in color, airy tan head on it slowly fading, medium luster, aroma of coffee, burnt barley, and slightly bready yeast, also a little pine in the hop profile, bold on all counts, approaching some bitterness double jeopardy from roast and hops, but i like it in the flavor, the roast is first and the hops are last, so its bitter the whole way but not really overly so at any one instance as i drink it. some nice chocolate middle richness to it, but very dry the whole way, some oiliness too almost encroaching on black ipa, but it settles back before what seemed like an impending climax, maybe some oats in here, this is cream feeling and fuller but dry, maybe a little english type yeast thing in the mix too, its not totally neutral but also not a defining element here, lots of little wrinkles to pick up on and appreciate. technical excellence here, this is robust and has all the intangibles. ill look forward to my next pour!