Old Stoatwobbler
Spectrum Brewery

Oily black, with pin pricks of garnet. Boldly chocolatey aroma with deliciously articulated notes of banana, cherries, and raisins - the rare British gimmick beer that seems to live up to its gimmick. Anise seed sweets and darkly burnt sugar keep things grounded. Soft and smooth, this is a good, strong export stout to begin with (not an old ale - what's that about?), with added nuances of bitter cocoa, banana bread, tart cherries, and toffee-sweet raisins, which are especially prevalent in the finish. Currents of coffee and red wine-like tannins add balance and complexity. Delicious and very drinkable despite its darkness and depth.

Cask conditioned at the Ipswich Beer Festival 2004. Black (= very dark brown) colour. EXTREMELY fruity aroma and flavour for a stout. Notes of dark chocolate and coffee too. Interesting beer, very good. And it’s vegan, for those who care. I don't, but it means that no animal derivates finings have been used.

Sampled from cask at the Rosary Tavern, Norwich, England, Oct. 30, 2004.

This old ale poured a very dark (almost opaque) chestnut color with light brown foam. The smell was malty and a bit fruity. The taste was lightly sweet with low hop bitterness. There were some notes of fruit and a hint of chocolate. A nicely complex brew. The mouthfeel was very smooth and creamy, with medium body and low carbonation feel. This was a nice ale.