Throwback Stout #3 - Fennel Flower - Throwback Brewery

FrankLloydMike

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

I had this at the recent NH Brew Fest in Portsmouth, and stopped into the brewery over the weekend for a growler fill. Unfortunately, the keg kicked while they were pouring, but I was able to enjoy the last half pint.

A: Pours an opaque, slightly cloudy black. Relatively little head, but lots of sticky lacing afterward.

S: The smell is balanced by crisp, fairly medicinal/herbal notes, and a fainter roasted malt aroma.

T: The fennel lends the stout a strong and very pleasant licorice flavor, which plays off the dark, roasty malt background very nicely. It is surprisingly crisp and refreshing for a stout, and a joy to drink.

M: A little on the lighter side, which I don't really mind, but not as thick as most stouts. Not too thin, though.

O: This is one of the most interesting stouts I've had anywhere, and quite possibly my favorite beer from Throwback thus far. The crispness and refreshing quality of the stout is so unusual and so pleasant, and for someone who loves licorice as much as I do, the herbal fennel flavor balanced off the dark malts is very nice. I love seeing Throwback showcasing different local ingredients, and I'm really glad to hear that they'll be brewing this one again.

Serving type: on-tap

11-05-2012 15:48:55 | More by FrankLloydMike

portia99

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

32oz growler poured into a Brooklyn snifter.

A - Pours pitch black with practically no light allowed to pass thru. A semi-aggressive pour into the center of the glass yields a thick two fingers of frothy mocha colored foam. This shows good staying power and after falling to the surface leaves behind foamy swirls of lacing on the glass.

S - There is no mistaking the fennel here. This fennel is quite up front and powerful. Gives a really nice cool and strongly herbal aroma to the beer. Faints hints of roasted malt can be found with some effort.

T - On this warm spring day, we were all a bit surprised at how refreshing a stout can be. The fennel really lightens and brightens this up. The distinct fennel herbal character comes thru in the taste quite well. A backup of roasty malt, some charred/burnt toast aspects and hints of cocoa can be found as well.

M - On the light side of medium body with a firm mid-level carbonation. Cool and herbal overall with a charred/burnt malt component in the background. I tend to find all of the variations of Stout #3 to be a bit on the thin side and think they all would improve with a bit more body to them.

O - Overall, one of my favorites of the series so far. Really like the cool, refreshing and a bit different flavor of the fennel and what it does to the stout. Quite refreshing...I feel like I could easily drink this on a summer evening regularly.

Serving type: growler

04-22-2012 16:27:20 | More by portia99