Absence Of Light - Idle Hands Craft Ales

hagbergl

Massachusetts

3.1/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Picked up a 750 mL bottle of Idle Hands Craft Ales' Absence of Light "Belgian Style Stout" (not sure whether this should be categorized as a Belgian Strong Dark or an American Stout...) at Craft Beer Cellar in Belmont, MA on a recommendation from one of the staff. Never had anything by Idle Hands before. Glad to give it a go and drink local. Served in a pint glass.

Appearance (3.5/5): Absence of Light is right...this baby is pitch black. Hold it up to the light and there is NOTHING getting through. No highlights or anything. A careful pour induces a one-finger light tan head that quickly dissipates to a thin, albeit persistent, layer. Decent but fairly typical.

Smell (3/5): The nose is a little simpler than I thought it would be, given this is described as a Belgian-styel stout. Plenty of roastiness, hints of dark chocolate, black coffee, and a touch of yeast spice. No alcohol presence to be noted in the nose. I was looking for a bit more.

Taste (3/5): Light dark chocolate, pronounced coffee bitterness, and very roasty–actually, overly roasty. The Belgian yeast adds a little sweetness and spice to it but is incapable of smoothing out the unruly amount of roast going on here...The good thing is there is no alcohol flavor to speak of and it reacts well to warming, becoming fuller and smoother.

Mouthfeel (3.25/5): Smooth, medium carbonation, medium-light body. Lighter body than the ABV and designated style might lead one to believe. Honestly, the feel is a little thin in my opinion.

Overall (3.25/5): I wanted to like Idle Hands' Absence of Light, but the beer had too many turn-offs that drop it into subpar territory: its overly roasty flavor, which did not mix well with the black coffee-like bitterness, its thin mouthfeel, and its rather tame aroma. I'm still glad I tried it and supported a local brewery, but I'm hoping the next ale I purchase from Idle Hands is better. Better luck next batch?

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2013 06:49:54 | More by hagbergl