Brux Royale
Ross Brewing Co.

Poured from 500 ML bottle into a tulip glass at 60°. The color is nearly black with a large, fluffy, medium khaki-colored cap and copious, long-lasting lacing. For a high-gravity Stout it's a very attractive look. The smell is robust with lots of dark chocolate, freshly-brewed coffee, molasses, burnt nuts, woodsy char, tobacco, and a hint of Belgian funky yeast. The taste opens with a heavy dose of chocolate, along with strong, acidic coffee. It's roasty and quite bitter with lots of burnt, earthy char. But what sets it apart is the Brett yeast, which adds a funky, smoky, slightly sour taste that is difficult to describe adequately. It plays with the sweetness of the chocolate, the acidity of the coffee, and the pronounced charred bitterness. The overall taste is sophisticated and (at least to me) unique. This Stout is moderate in thickness with low carbonation, and the 11.7% ABV is very well-hidden. Overall, I am very impressed by this Stout. It's imaginative and well-crafted. I had it on draught at the brewery but I'm enjoying it even more from the bottle.