Modern Times Beer City of the Dead Foreign / Export Stout at 7.5% ABV | 30 IBU (C$12.74 at Oak & Vine, 650 ml, no bottle date or best before, acquired 26-Apr-2017, reviewed 27-Apr-2017)
Appearance: opaque black with no relief, one fat finger of fluffy beige head, excellent retention and spotty lacing. (4/5) Aroma: coffee, toasted malts, dark chocolate, bourbon, oak, vanilla. (10/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter. (9/10) Palate: full body, soft carbonation, dry bitter finish. (5/5)
Barrel… aged… coffee…? To quote Cartman, that whole concept has “warped my fragile little mind,” and may well necessitate a fundamental change to breakfast as I know it. (Apparently they sell the coffee through their web site? Ordered!) Huge coffee notes dominate over dark chocolate and oaky bourbon, but neither come across as harsh or overwhelming. Visually impressive, this thing is as utterly black as a politician’s heart, with no relief at all around the margins. (The label claims 45 SRM, and I believe it. I thought the Standard Reference Method scale topped out at 40, but this is definitely the inkiest black brew I’ve ever seen.) And yet, surprisingly smooth and mild, with very restrained bitterness. Do what you gotta do to lay hands on this. It’s better to beg forgiveness than ask permission. (18/20)
9/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com