Java Stout
Paddock Wood Brewing Co.

appearance: black, slightly opaque when hed up to strong light, mohogany highlights. large foamy light beige head, poor retention, quickly dissipates into a light lace.

smell: assertive roast malt/caramel, chocolat aroma. no hops, or masked by sweet malt.

taste: moderatly high roast malt. bittersweet chocolate. (where is the java) caramel. mild hop bitterness,w/ slightly citrus taste. med/dry finish w/subtle coffee-like notes (ah, there it is)

mouthfeel: full bodied and creamy (oats?). low carbonation. nice alcoholic warmth. slight "black malt" astringency, but not unpleasant.

drinkability: very nice beer, a good winter warmer, god dessert beer w/ a surprizing 7.3% kick, limit to one or two.

notes: i had this beer stored for about a year. bought it direct from the brewer.

cheers
jh

Pours an average creamy tan head that eventually recedes to a thin ring. Not much for lacing. Colour is opaque black.

Smell is creamy chocolate and sweet dark carmel. No hop aroma.

Taste is more chocolate and dark carmel with a bit of roastiness showing up in the finish. Roast flavour becomes more prominent as it warms. No hop flavour. Very smooth. No detectable java flavour to be found, but I don't care. Alchohol warmth eventually shows up as a soothing reminder of the beer's strength.

Mouthfeel is velvety smooth.

I love this beer! It has everything I look for in a good stout/porter. No harshness, yet tons of dark aroma/flavours combined with a creamy texture, and the hops stay out of the way. Magnificent.

The only knock against it is the deceiving name - I didn't find a trace of java anywhere. You can call it Paddockwood High Life for all I care... a good beer is a good beer.

341ml bottle poured in a pint glass.

Black and nearly opaque, showing just a little dark brown highlights when held to a light. Thin brown head shows on the pour, but quickly recedes to a thin ring.

Rich roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate all fill the nose.

Roasted malt is dominant throughout with a light sweetness and hint of chocolate in the middle. There is a subtle burnt character to go with the roasted malt at the finish. The coffee character doesn't show itself until the finish which is a full dark roast coffee flavour.

While the flavour fills the palate, the mouthfeel is a little thin for a stout. Practically no carbonation present.

This is a nice easy drinking stout that I would gladly buy again.