Irish Stout - French Broad Brewing Co.

Bung

North Carolina

4.1/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had this one on draft at Barley's in Asheville. Solid black pour. Off white head. Roasty malt and coffee aromas. Roasted flavors, coffee, chocolate, cocoa, molasses, malt. Just a little hop character. Thick, filling, good drinkable stout. Sought out a growler to bring home.

Serving type: on-tap

12-15-2008 02:23:05 | More by Bung

drperm

Virginia

4.3/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

On-draught at the Brewery.

"Support Your Local Brewery" is a common bumper-sticker and t-shirt logo these days. Well, with French Broad up the road, it's fairly easy -- and enjoyable -- to do so. And with offerings such as their Irish Stout, how could I not support them full-force?

First off, it's no Guinness. At 5.8% ABV, don't try to put this one back as if it were. You'll be sorry. In a good way? Perhaps. If you don't have to drive, any way.

Dark, dark dark. Like a black steer's tuckuss on a moonless Prairie night. There was no bottom. (Well, unfortunately, there WAS a bottom to my glass).

The nose is rich, hoppy, floral, inviting. Luring me in for the kill...

A lovely roasted malt pervasiveness leads me along to an almost chicory presence that I find absolutely divine. O for a blackened catfish, or wood-roasted scallops, or charred Argentine steak! The pairing would be seamless.

It finishes silky and smooth all the way down, if sitting somewhat heavily on the bottom (but then again, this was an after-dinner beer for me, perhaps not the best situation).

Bravo and bravo again!

Serving type: on-tap

05-24-2008 21:06:56 | More by drperm

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.2/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Had the chance to pick this one up in a growler the last time I was up in Ashecille, and decided to pop it open among friends and family tonight. It poured a nice dark black with a small tan colored head that faded quickly but left behind copious amounts of side glass lace. The aroma was very smoked, but rather one dimensional. Lots of raosted malts and hints of dark grains. The flavor was rather the same, but with way too light of a feel to be honest. A touch thin with a long drawn out finish. This was ok, but rather average I have to admit. There are much better stouts out there, this was ok, but I do not think I will go there with it again.

Serving type: growler

04-05-2008 03:38:27 | More by mikesgroove

atsprings

North Carolina

4.18/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served an opaque black with a great tan frothy head that lasts and leaves decent lacing. Aroma is the expected roasted malts. The taste was reminiscent of most traditional Irish stouts, only more present and lingering. The beer was light and refreshing and extremely enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

03-08-2008 03:49:34 | More by atsprings