Heartland Belgian Black Cherry Stout
Heartland Brewery Union Square

From draught at the South Street Seaport, after viewing the Bodies Exhibition.

Appearance:

Pours a thick pitch black topped by a half inch of tight brown head.

Aroma:

Dark roasted malts, mixed with espresso and raspberry.

Taste/Mouthfeel:

Very slick, thick smooth mouthfeel conveys this amped up stout down my gullet. Very creamy with notes of coffee, a hint of alcohol and tart berry (seemed more raspberry than cherry to me, a good approximation of Weyerbacher's Raspberry Imperial Stout). Glad I stopped here after seeing one of the coolest/strangest exhibits ever. This one is priced a bit more than their other brews (at $7.50 as opposed to $5.50), but if you like RIS', you'll enjoy this.

I enjoyed a pint of this new creation at the Union sq. location. It arrived with very little head, just a dark tan film over this darkest shade of brown/almost black stout. Left some spotty lacing. Some light chocolate and fruit picked up on the nose. This is hearty, flavorful stout, some chalky dark chocolate notes and cherry lightly in the finish. The cherry here is present but not overpowering. Enjoyable take on a favorite style.

Sample at the Heartland Chophouse: Pours black with a thin dark beige head that lasts pretty well. Small amount of lacing. Aroma of cherries, dark fruit and malt. Full-bodied with a nice roasty character. Flavors of malt, sweet spices and of course cherry. The finish is sweet and fruity with some malt and chocolate in the background. On one hand this is kind of scattered, but I like what they are doing with it.