Lately I've been noticing a cinnamon flavor in fresh heavy malty stouts; Wake Up Dead, Otter Creek RIS, a few others. I've been paying more attention to freshness recently and I can't really recall encountering this characteristic in heavy malt stouts before. Could it be a hop characteristic? From the yeast? Just my expanding palate? Your feedback is appreciated!
Several stouts and porters use some cinnamon stick. Crystal hops have a flavor profile of cinnamon, black pepper and nutmeg. They have a floral and mixed spiced aroma depending on how they are used.
I can totally relate. I get random cinnamon and vanilla notes that no one agrees with in many beers. The weirdest one is Narragansett lager - I get cinnamon notes every time I drink it (not a stout but you get the idea)
My last couple of bottles of Founders Curmudgeon I pick up a cinnamon flavor. I haven't had that brew for over a year and I absolutely loved it in the past, but I can't get over the cinnamon flavor on this recent batch.
Thank's Guy's! BA Old Raspy was the other I was thinking of, have to have a bottle of the regular tonight and see if I can pick it out.
