“Drinks much bigger than 4.3%. A robust and full-bodied stout with coffee roast bitterness and rich caramel notes. Seven different grains including oats create a complex malt body. This is balanced by good old English hops.”

Glassware: Snifter.

Appearance: Matte black and topped off with a short tan head which gradually peels off. It eventually forms a collar with rings marking each sip on its way down.

Aroma: The description states that it drinks much bigger than 4.3%. We’d also add that the aroma punches way higher than 4.3% as well! Off the bat it’s big and roasty. It’s chock-full of rich molasses and licorice then backed up by heady roasted coffee, marzipan, wafer biscuits and toffee. Lovely addition of old world English hops give it the extra earthy and spicy characters.

Flavour: This is super impressive considering its size. Brawny roasted malts are throwing out all the big dark chocolate, coffee, molasses and ashy notes while the lighter biscuity and toffee flavours provide the balance. Soft grainy oats and marzipan also adding to the depth. It rounds off on a light roast and a dry wafer-like note. Good length on it too.

Mouthfeel: It holds a good weight for 4.3% ABV. What it sometimes lacks in body is made up in bitterness. Perfectly balanced.

Overall: We weren’t too sure what to expect from this but going off our previous reviews this brewery rarely disappoints. Seriously impressive for what is technically a session Stout.