Orkney Brewery Dragonhead English Stout at 4.0% ABV ($6.16 via Beer Club Offering #11)
Pours nearly solid black with just a hint of lightening around the margins, two fingers of beige head diminishing gradually to a thin cap, moderate lacing (4/5). Nose is coffee, faint chocolate, dark roast malts, dark fruit, leather, tobacco, faint smoke (8/10). Taste is low sweetness and moderate bitter with some citrus tart, spice, and a hint of smoke (8/10). Medium body, prickly to moderate sustained carbonation, off-dry lingering bitter finish (4/5).
Starts out quite well-behaved and pleasant – not too much sweetness, and a nicely bitter bite. The carbonation is too high for it to have a smooth texture, but it certainly prevents any mouth-coating behaviour, and keeps the body relatively light and crisp. It opens up nicely as it warms, with some dark fruit, leather, and tobacco coming out to play. A solid performer, and quite drinkable with its low ABV. (16/20)
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
