Cambridge House Picozzi's Fat Ass Ale (2006)
The Cambridge House Brewpub

A - this "belgian stout" arrives a dark mahogany brown, with a thin tan head that laces swiftly, no apparent carbonation, too dark to note

S - big roasted malts rule the bouquet, some chocolate as well, which lends a subtle sweetness, very intriguing cant wait

T - wow, what a flavor, roasted coffee beans and malts prevail in the taste, with some chocolate flavors lurking, layered and blended all very nicely, a great brew

M&D - surprisingly smooth and drinkable with great complex flavors, my new favorite CBH brew

This is described as a stout "brewed in the Belgian style". Pours a stout-like inky black with a modest head. A light nutty aroma with burnt coffee and chocolate. Biscuity mouthfeel but honestly, it was light at best. Something is missing with this brew, since there is neither significant aroma nor mouthfeel. Maybe more chocolate malt to reinforce the stout side of the beer? Uninspired flavor and thin body. Somewhat over-carbonated. Not a particularly impressive beer.

Draught @ Brewpub: This is quite a change from last year’s version. This one pours a very dark brown. It has a tan head that leaves some lacing. The aroma is very traditional for a stout. Roasted malts, with hints of coffee and chocolate. The taste is also very much that of a stout. More body and flavor than a "standard" stout, but not into the imperial range. Roastiness and coffee are the predominate tastes. A hint of sweetness with some balancing spiciness to the tatse, but definitely in the background. A very good stout, but I want last year’s beer!

on tap 12/12/06

beer rests a sparkly brown/black with cola-like highlights by the edges. the head dissolves quickly into a thin ring, evoking more porter or dark ale than traditional stout. chunky webs of lace linger on the glass walls. visually, this could easily be identified as a mix between a belgian dark and an american stout.

aroma of powdered bakers cocoa dusts a crunchy dark malt nose. stouty for sure, approaching the rich caramelization scents found in the more popular irish dry stouts, like the big G. brings me back to the idea of a more pedestrian dry stout, and further away from belgian stout fantasy.

the flavor evolves significantly with warmth.. a plethora of strong tobacco dryness contrasts uneasily with a tart by-product of belgian yeast fermentation... ive seen these flavors present in other us belgians (allagash dubbel for ex) but it is missing something to fall fully into that category. maltiness has a wood-char to it. almost ashy and uninspired in its lack of sweetness. how is this belgian at all? noble hop additions take the earthy dry element one step further.. the hops are alright though and help to balance the beer a bit.

medium-bodied and adequately (if not a bit over) fizzy, this beer is able to carry a nice, briefly dry and lingering bitterness. moderately drinkable given the good body but otherwise excessive dearth of crackly nutshell earthiness and burnt malts.

overall, a decent beer, not one of cbh's best, and a disappointment after last year's follow-through with a solid belgian attempt.