Bank Street Safecracker (Belgian) Stout
Bank Street Brewing

A bizarre beer, and if you don't know what you are getting into, you will be thinking what the feck is wrong with me Guinness?!? Dark ruby with minimal head. Mostly fruit flavors, lots of cherry, some raisin and plum. Roast barley quality chimes in at the very beginning but instantly becomes muted, providing just a slight toastiness around the edges. Hops are similarly obscured; flavor is predominantly fruity from the Belgian yeast. I had this earlier in the season, and it was a rawer, more abrasive beer; now it has mellowed some, but still uncompromising in its fruity Belgian complexity. Unusual and commendable. Like a Guinness gueuze; spectacularly sour. Not amazingly delicious, but fascinating, like a novel step down from an imperial stout. If you are serious about beer and find yourself in Stamford, this is a must-try.