O'Casey's Irish Stout
Widmer Brothers Brewing Company

 

 

 

 

I’ve always enjoyed the luxurious texture and sensuous visual appeal of nitro infused beers. O’Casey’s Irish Stout is especially generous in this regard. The effect of the beer appearing to stream downwards in plush chaotic cascades is hypnotic and provides a few moments of contemplative reverie to the drinker. As the dense stormy gas subsides, a balsa colored head of perpetual endurance rises to the top and gives off a toasty bread-like aroma. The ensuing taste is abundantly roasted, smart, and dry.

I’m amazed at how a taste with such gruff overtures yet polished contours can be captured in a beer. It calls to mind how bourbon is charcoal filtered to refine its flavor. Who would imagine that the elements of fire and wood, smoke and alcohol could be combined to produce something as smooth and reassuring as fine bourbon? So too with this lush, roasty stout.

That said, I must note that there is a tendency for some beers to lean on nitro as a crutch holding up an otherwise frail body. Take away the nitro and what have you really got? In the case of O’Casey’s the body is fine, but it does tire a bit towards the low end of the pint and the nitro is clearly an enhancement. Still, this is a highly credible replication of the style and a damn fine session stout.

Drank on tap at Widmer BC in Portland, OR.

A guest tap, which means that local homebrewers formulated the recipe and used Widmer's facilities to brew it.
Ink-black in color with a dense, creamy, light tan head with excellent retention and lacing. Very fragrant aroma with freshly cut wood, sawdust, very malty with a round nuttiness and cereal notes. Taste is very impressive...woody yet smooth, fresh, with lots of coffee and wood, but in an expertly balanced manner. Alcohol is not perceptable. Slightly tangy and lightly dry, this is something I could drink all night. Very creamy mouthfeel owing to the nitro-tap. Widmer, make this a regular offering!