Dark Necessities
Round Table Brewery

 

 

 

On draught at the brewery. Served in a tulip glass. It pours nearly ink black with a half finger cap of fluffy, khaki-colored foam that dissipated quickly leaving a modest ring. The smell is big and aromatic with notes of freshly-brewed coffee, roasted malt, chocolate, tobacco smoke, leather, and char. As it warmed in the glass there was the faint scent of dark fruit. But the taste is dry and quite bitter, featuring burnt coffee grounds, bakers chocolate, anise, and nutty char. There is only the slightest hint of dark fruit in the flavor. Its mouth feel is viscous and creamy with appropriately mild carbonation, and while initially it doesn't feel like 9.7% ABV, the gravity catches up to you. Overall, Dark Necessities is a basic, well-crafted Imperial Stout. It's big enough to pair with hearty meal but would also make a good fireside sipper.

Pours your typical opaque black with a thin tan head, with perhaps a hint of translucence towards the bottom of the glass. Ample carbonation. The nose has notes of dark breads and cacao. The taste offers fruity and bready qualities up front but finishes with the chocolately espresso notes expected out of a dark ale such as this. The mouthfeel is thin - quite approachable despite the high ABV and style. Overall its a good imperial stout, a nice dark option and it sounds like it will be a perennial option.