City Steam Summer Stout - City Steam Brewery Café

Gambrinus1184

Connecticut

3.93/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served on-tap in a tumbler pint glass at City Steam Brew-Ha-Ha Comedy Club in Hartford, Conn.

A: Very dark brown, near-black with ruby highlighted edges beneath a creamy, two-finger head of beige foam. Lacing was mild and soapy.

S: Hints of carob and licorice blend with an herbal array of citrusy hops that play up well with the roasted barley and chocolate malt.

T: Sweet, smooth and creamy up front, the flavor shows flashes of roasted grain, chocolate and bittersweet coffee notes. Then, an assertive, citrusy and fruit hop flavors grips the palate, drying up the roasted malt sweetness, leaving the palate light and almost tart with a dry, fruity bittersweetness. The finish is sweet, but not in the chocolately, roasty sense.

M: Medium-bodied brew that is at times both smooth and creamy as well as slightly tart and bitter.

O: I'm not sure what they did to the Black Silk Stout, but I'm kinda digging it's summer cabana wear. This isn't the best stout I've had, but it's certainly interesting. The play of fruity, bitter and citrusy esters against the roasted smokiness and sweet chocolate flavors of the grain is unique. I'd likely grab a pint again, especially if I were having a steak salad with lime vinaigrette.

Serving type: on-tap

08-06-2012 12:05:14 | More by Gambrinus1184

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.2/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Enjoyed on tap at the brewpub. Chocolate aroma. Black, a little head, and lacey. Not that drinkable, as overally biter not sweet, though some bitter chocolate. four out of five styles I tried that are something different than expected.Average mouthfeel.

Serving type: on-tap

08-22-2010 05:24:27 | More by northyorksammy

Durge

Connecticut

3.63/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A classic dark black brown color with mahogany edges. The head is a light tan color, medium thick, and it leaves a very nice lacework behind. The nose picks up a very mild charcoal malt but closer to non-descript wheat. The flavor sort of follows suit, a bit watery and very mild, but it is thankfully more enjoyable than the aroma. I get some of the usual charcoal but also some apple caramel touches. There's even a bit of citrus hop with a slightly dry finish. It's medium-light bodied with a lusciously fine carbonation and offers great drinkability. A reasonably tasty though mild stout. Likeable but not highly memorable. I would drink again though. Great picnic stout. I guess it is worthy of it's name. This is no winter warmer.

Serving type: on-tap

07-11-2010 03:50:56 | More by Durge

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Drank at the brewery in a pint glass.

A - Poured a very dark brown with a small amount of coffee coloured head and some visible carbonation.

S - The nose was roasted malts with a hint of smokiness and some sweetness.

T - Roasted malts, a touch of chocolate and coffee and a subtle smokiness in the background. A nice palate.

M - Light to medium body. Moderately carbonated.

D - This is an excellent stout. If I lived anywhere near the brewery I would return to seek this one out in its limited release.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2010 22:45:06 | More by TheSevenDuffs