Nickel Brook Brewing Co. Half Bastard Stout American Stout at 4.5% ABV | 35 IBU (2017 Craft Beer Advent Calendar #12, 355 ml, packaged on 24-Aug-2017, acquired 20-Nov-2017, reviewed 12-Dec-2017)
Appearance: slightly muddy brown with a huge fizzy beige head, good retention and spotty lacing. (4/5) Aroma: red berries, chocolate, coffee, caramel, grass, earth. (6/10) Taste: moderate-high tart, moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (5/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-high carbonation, tart bitter finish. (2/5)
I’m pretty sure this is infected, to the point where I was tempted not to review it at all. The huge head was the first indicator that things weren’t exactly typical, but very quickly after that was the sharp red berry tartness on the nose and the tongue. The fact is, it’s not really bad as such, just deeply weird. I’m pretty sure this isn’t what the brewer intended, but that’s what it is right now. (11/20)
5.5/10 #craftbeeradvent2017 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
