Thumbprint Cherry Stout - New Glarus Brewing Company

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.95/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

More cherry than stout, and good deal of sourness in finish. Reddish tinge to black stout, pinkish foam. Good amount of lace. Well carbonated and a tongue numbing, very drinkable as long as you like the sourness. Barrel woodiness mid sip satisfying cherry aftertaste. Thanks Flyingbison.
Five years later, had a two-year aged thanks to Steve. Still active carbonation Sour a touch funky aroma, Flanders Red type flavour. Love it even more. Good sourness. Wood is only in aftertaste, well integrated.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2006 01:01:35 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

3.88/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Cherry Stout looks more like a cherry porter. It's dark, dusky crimson when brightly backlit, with objects easily seen on the opposite side of the glass. The two finger head is sandstone in color and is one of the lightest that I've ever seen on a beer of this style. It isn't a bad look as long as I reset my expectations.

The nose is way too weak, although it does begin to open up with even a few minutes of warming. Fermented cherries is mixed with a weak dark maltiness, an oaky woodiness and a strangely appealing spiciness. Other than that 'weak' part, it sounds great. It's something less than great in actual practice.

First of all, Unplugged Cherry Stout isn't what I expected. For starters, the ABV is only 6.5% when I thought it was a much bigger beer. Having said that, I like it. It tastes pretty much how it smells, but for some reason it works better on the palate. I'm still not sure about the stout classification since there's so much sweet and sour fruitiness.

In fact, it tastes a little like Belgian Red made with dark malt rather than pale. I'm fine with the huge amount of fermented cherry flavor, I'd just like to see more roasted malt on the bottom end. I can still appreciate an intriguing spiciness that has to be related to the oak barrel aging somehow. Either that or a Belgian yeast strain was used. Warming makes everything more vivid without changing the basic flavor profile.

The mouthfeel score would be at least one notch lower if I judged it as a stout. However, it's so incredibly smooth and silky that I have no problem singing its praises. Since New Glarus usually excels when it comes to mouthfeel, I'm not at all surprised.

Sour Brown Ale was the only other beer of this series that I've had. Even though I don't like this quirky Unplugged offering nearly as well, I still had a good time with a beer that is much more cherry than stout.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2007 16:20:07 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.75/5  rDev +26.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

I had honestly been looking for this one forever. An unplugged I never thought I would get, I was thrilled to say the least to get ahold of this gem. Served chilled and poured into a pint glass, I enjoyed this one over the course of a few hours this afternoon.

The pour was nice enough. Dark brown with a hint of light coming through on the sides and the bottom of the glass, no where near opaque. Nice light head here, rich tan color and subtle fading left behind rings of lace in its wake. The aroma was succulent. Rich cherries and hints of woody notes. Spices of all kind blended in, rich as all hell, this was more of a cherry ale then a stout, but superb. As I took my first sip I melted into the floor. Rich, tart and yet sweet cherry notes, peppery and loaded with spice. Such complexity, such richness, this was indeed exactly what I was looking for. Smooth, light body with a nice carbonation that was great for an ale, but light for a stout, I was none the less blow away by the flavor here, the wonderful balance, and most perfect use of cherries. This is a beer I will forever remember. Something to really be proud of, I fantastic offering.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2009 00:32:48 | More by mikesgroove

womencantsail

California

4.3/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to Craig for sending me this one awhile back.

A: The pour is a mildly muddled mahogany color (apologies for the consonance).

S: Pure cherries on the nose. A really nice sweetness and fruit note that is almost reminiscent of the Wisconsin Belgian Red.

T: The cherries come through strongest off the bat and are nice and sweet, but not artificial tasting at all. As the beer warms and subsequent sips are taken, a nice chocolate flavor comes out. This one has an almost tootsie roll taste to it.

M: The body is medium with a nice moderate carbonation to it.

D: One of the best of the Unplugged beers to this point. I really loved the great cherry flavor and the stout component underneath.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2010 04:11:54 | More by womencantsail

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

4.03/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours out a clear, dark brown body with plenty of amber-hued hints at the edges and topped with a slim, off-white head.

Smell: It really just smells more akin to a brown ale given a large, vibrant top note of Luden's Cherry throat drops.

Taste: A roundabout gulp of cherry-flavored cola with extra added toasty malt tastes. Fairly sweet throughout. Lightly tart. There's a bit of middling woodiness from the oak, but, for the most part, the cherries take center stage. Even farther down into the cherry bin you'll find some slight mustiness, but, at best, it's reserved. Closes out as sweet and fruity as it kicked off.

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus body. Medium carbonation. Lightly sticky in the mouth.

Overall: It's a very fine beer, don't get me wrong, but not a stout. Instead of "cherry stout" call it "stout cherry", because there's definitely plenty of cherriness within.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2012 15:57:53 | More by ChainGangGuy

brentk56

North Carolina

4.33/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours a cola brown color with a modest tan head that drops to a ringlet and leaves a nice pattern of lace

Smell: Chocolate covered tart cherries

Taste: From the get go, there is a tango between the dark chocolate and sweet/sour cherry flavors that build in intensity to mid-palate; after the swallow, the tartness tends to dominate but there is an undertone of chocolate that lasts well into the finish

Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with prickly carbonation

Drinkability: Reading through the reviews, this is a most misunderstood beer (or perhaps it just tasted differently when it was younger); while there is some cherry sweetness, the bold tart flavors provide a nice foil to the chocolate and make this a very interesting creation; if it were classified as a Chocolate Flanders Red, that might capture BAs' attention more appropriately; kudos, New Glarus

And thanks, Unknown BA, for sharing

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2008 02:03:06 | More by brentk56

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle: Poured a clear dark red color ale with a huge light brown foamy head with good retention and some lacing - this does not resemble as stout at all. Aroma of cough syrup and sweet cherries is more dominant then I would have expected. Taste is not as overly dominated by the cough syrup notes but cherry taste is quite dominant with light tart aftertaste. Body is about average with good carbonation. I was expecting a stout based on the name alone so I was a bit surprise when I poured this in my glass. Very interesting beer though cherry taste is overwhelming.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2011 18:05:03 | More by Phyl21ca

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served in a Walter Payton shaker pint glass.

Thanks to JulianC for this bottle!

Haven't been able to make a Wisconsin run in some time, but luckily I have a bit of a hookup... This stuff pours a ruby-highlighted black-sienna topped by a finger of ashen tan foam. The nose comprises sweet black cherry awash in a roasty cocoa sea. ...Or is it the other way around...? Or both? Knowing my philosophy, it's both. The taste brings in more of the same, with the cherry occasionally taking on some mildly tart, almost tannic qualities, but mostly sticking with the sweet foundation set up in the smell. The cocoa is now a tad roastier, though some sweeter factions pop up every now and again as well, and a pinch of coffee makes itself known at random intervals. The body is a lithe medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a sorta/kinda dry finish. Overall, a pretty tasty cherry stout, one that seems to stray happily away from the medicinal qualities of other fruited beers without going tooth-achingly sweet in the process. A nice balance is also maintained between the cherry and the roast. Good times.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2012 20:13:56 | More by TMoney2591

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

3.6/5  rDev -4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

New Glarus Cherry Stout. Brewed and bottled in New Glarus, WI. On the side of the label, some of the same blah-blah-blah, then, "This is Dan's Gold Medal winning "Cherry Stout." This ale is aged in oak barrels to promote the spontaneous fermentation. Eight Wisconsin malted barleys combined with Wisconsin Montmorency cherries make for a complex and subtle taste experience that you may never find again. Discover why Dan is repeatedly recognized as the Best Brewmaster in America."

Dark brown color, mostly opaque, some clarity in spots. Pink-ish brown head appears, then slims down with certainty.

Ripe, vibrant cherry aromatics, happy mix of sweet and sour, rounded out by the oak barrel action.

Taste: Once in the mouth, more sweet and sour, more flashes of fruity brilliance. Not too much happens underneath, however. I feel that if this hadn't been called a stout, I'd find some way around this disappointment. As it is, I find it lacking a a "stout." Tell you what, I'll forget it as a "stout" and think of it as a dark version of the Wisconsin Cherry Red. If I didn't, I'd find the malt too mild, lacking roast, lacking a lot of stout-y elements. Removing that aspect of my expectations, I'd be very fond of the flavor.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2012 04:03:39 | More by feloniousmonk

drabmuh

Maryland

3.33/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Another unplugged beer. Beer is brown to red with a thin head that leaves a lot of lacing on the glass but overall carbonation is low.

Aroma is strong strong strong cherry. There is really nothing else in this beer but the aroma of cherries. Very interesting.

The flavor is also almost entirely cherry. Call me crazy but if you cal something a stout I expect some roast but what do I know right. Its easy to drink, mouthfeel is fine.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2010 22:06:04 | More by drabmuh

Mora2000

Texas

4/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle drank at bu11zeye's 10,000th rating tasting.

The beer pours a reddish-amber color with a white head. The aroma is full of very sweet cherries. The flavor is very similar. There is a ton of cherry syrup, as well a some lightly roasted malt. Overall, the beer is very sweet. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2012 04:20:42 | More by Mora2000

zeff80

Missouri

3.9/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured out a deep, dark red. It was the color of the skin of a black cherry. It had a small, tan head with pink highlights. It left minimal lacing. Although it looks nothing like a stout it is still a good looking brew because of how unique it is.

S - The aroma is all black cherries. Not much else.

T - It had a great black cherry flavor with a sour tart punch. There is a very muted caramel and chocolate malt touch. Not much bitterness at all.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A light bodied fruit beer that is not sticky at all.

D - The "stout" in the title is misleading but I knew from experience with New Glarus that this was good to be a good fruit beer and it was. It's amazing that they can produce yet another fruit brew that doesn't come out with a sticky/cloying mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2010 14:52:33 | More by zeff80

MasterSki

Illinois

3.55/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Picked up a single at Discount Liquor. Served in a Surly pint glass.

A - Weird looking "stout" here. Pours with a half-finger of light tan foam that settles to a thin cap. Not much in the way of lacing. Body is transparent mahogany or cherrywood - I suppose that's strangely appropriate. Somewhat attractive, but not what I was expecting.

S - Smells like cherry syrup, along with some oaky vanilla. Not getting much stout character here. Reminds me of a cherry version of Cran-bic, with maybe the faintest hint of cocoa. There seems to be some allspice as well. If you like sweets, you'll probably dig this quite a bit.

T - Taste is more akin to a dark cherry sour (in the mold of Supplication), but things are out of balance. Some cocoa and roast flavors mingle with a heavy dose of sweet and slightly tart cherries. There's also a little bit of tannic oak and sour character in the finish. Not bad, but a little...odd.

M - Too much carbonation for my liking - it's a little harsh and burning. Body is medium-light and texture is fairly smooth. There's some dry, tartness, as well as some oak at the end.

D - Very strange duck here. The most apt comparison might be the Kuhnhenn "Olde Brune", except this has half as much alcohol in it (and is much less expensive/widespread). Carbonation bloat makes this more fatiguing to drink. I'd be curious to try this in a few years to see if the wild yeast does anything interesting.

I'm glad this is listed as a Fruit/Vegetable beer, as there isn't all that much stout present. I might have scored it higher if the name had been Wild Cherry or something.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2010 23:42:15 | More by MasterSki

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.05/5  rDev +8%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours an effervescent crimson/caramel with 2+ fingers of sand colored head. Average lacing & head retention

S: Cherry juice by the ton, some tartness & woody notes

T: Cherry juice with some booze warmth & not much else up front, maybe a touch of tartness. Winey characteristics that scream more than the advertised ABV, sweet cherry dominates along with a touch of plum hiding on the back of the tongue. Cherry juice finish with some booze sharpness, plus some oaky notes, verging on vanilla

MF: Slick, warm to burning actually on boozeyness, with some tartness sneaking around the corner, then a general wetness

Pretty drinkable, but has some surprisingly rough edges, for a beer that's allegedly 6.5% ABV. This has some flaws but tastes natural, so I would recommend this, I'm sure this beer will age very nicely

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2010 05:02:09 | More by russpowell

emerge077

Illinois

4/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Re-reviewing this, as the 2nd release seems different than the 1st batch.

Pours a dark shade of brown, but reveals a high clarity dark ruby in the light. Not too stouty in that respect. Solid finger of foam, recedes slowly, random arcs of lace are left. Patchy islands of bubbles remain on the unbroken surface.

Aroma is somewhat artificial cherry candy at first, but improves as it warms, segueing into oak and green wood. Flavors of sweet and tart cherry, vanilla, and toasted marshmallow. Seems like a blend of Belgian Red and mild stout, not that it's a bad thing, just another fruit beer variation. Any roast or chocolate notes are dominated by the cherry steamroller, although there is a hint of dry tootsie roll sweetness in the aftertaste. The tartness seems out of character for a stout, but not too far out, considering NG's recent historical porter recreation.

Overall I can dig it, but it's a little too much in the fruit beer category than stout. It's unique at the very least, and worth trying.

12-21-2007
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | drink: 4
rDev: +5.5%

Poured into an 8 oz. mini-pint glass. Liquid is a medium toned brown, not black or opaque. A finger of foam initially rises but soon dwindles to a ring around the edge. In the glass, the liquid is a darker shade of brown with slight chestnut highlights at the edges. A solid ring of sediment remains in the bottle.

Aroma reminds me of Enigma immediately. Wood, spice, and maybe a touch of chocolate in this one. Same musty vegetal note, but with deep spice and wood that makes it pleasant. Are there any other spontaneously fermented stouts out there? JP Madrugada is the only other I can think of.

Dry sour cherry is balanced by chocolate malt. Savory chocolate, toffee and oak in the finish. Bitterness is nonexistent, and it's not a "roasty" stout, but it's a distinctive interpretation of the style. It starts out a little thin, but the long residual flavors make up for any lack of body.

Sipping this one, since it's my last, but also knowing this is just one page from the book that Dan Carey is writing so masterfully. It definitely feels like the precursor to Enigma, hopefully one day we'll see a year-round Flanders ale from New Glarus.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2010 02:16:53 | More by emerge077

Wasatch

Utah

4/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks goes out to beerwolf77 for this brew.

Pours a nice dark brown color, nice carbonation, nice little one-finger creamy tan head, with some nice sticky lacing left behind. The nose is malty, with some nice cherry notes, some chocolate/toffee notes. The taste is sweet, malty, nice touch of cherries, some chocolate/toffee notes, very slight tartness. Medium body, this is a very nice smooth, slightly crisp brew. Drinkable, enjoying this one, alot.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2010 01:02:50 | More by Wasatch

rhoadsrage

Illinois

3.7/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

(Served in an American pint glass)

A- This beer has a deep brown body that lets a faint about of light through and looks clear but pretty opaque. The head is a light tan and sounds like a soda pop and last about as long.

S- The smell of old oak has hints of vanilla and rain with an earthy dark cherry note in the finish.

T- This beer has a big old musty oak flavor with notes of earth, wood and vanilla. The finish is a sour dark cherry note that makes my jaws lock up a bit.

M- This beer has a medium mouthfeel with a slight slippery texture.

D-This is a nice oaky cherry beer but I think they forgot to put the stout in my bottle. There are dark malt flavors or and roasted or toasted notes at all. This is big on cherries and oak, which I like but I was really hoping for the malt characteristics to balance out the flavors.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2006 01:59:17 | More by rhoadsrage

jlindros

Massachusetts

2.88/5  rDev -23.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Another New Glarus thanks to levifunk. I really liked the Old English Porter, but not as much the Totally Naked, although the Stone Soup wasn't bad. Hopefully this is another from the Unplugged series that totally rocks.

A: A nice fizzy 1 finger head rises up and fades at a medium pace. It's a dark brown almost black color with hints of light coming through on all parts that are not really thick, and gives off the slightest dark red tinge.

N: The nose is like cherry cough syrup and cherry Lifesavers. Seriously! I think I get the slightest hint of dark malts, a touch of roast, and a little sour cherry. But just butt loads of cherry. WTF! A little too heavy on the cherry.

T: I'm a little afraid to taste it now... but alas it must be done. Oh damn! More of the same! Lots of cherry cough syrup and cherry Lifesaver! Ug! I didn't sign up for this. Why New Glarus, why?!?!?! As it warms I get the slightest... wait, not all I get is friggen cherry! Cherry syrup, cough syrup, candy, sour cherry, like all kinds of cherry combined to bombard every sense. I don't get any stout flavors as all! Oh yeah, it's also super sweet. So sweet, my wife who puts 10, that's right TEN sugars in her coffee can't drink this!

M: Medium body with decent carbonation and quite a bit of a spicy cherry tingle to it.

F: Lots of sticky sweet cherry, cherry syrup, candy, a little cough syrup, chewy cherry candy, again you name it and it came from cherry. Damn, I really would have liked SOMETHING other than just cherry. Perhaps some actual STOUT flavors would be nice! I can't, in all good conscience, give this a good rating. Perhaps a drain pour, I'll see if I can get through the whole thing, or perhaps give it to my wife. I tried, even she can't drink this! I think a drain pour which is sad.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2010 02:12:09 | More by jlindros

mdfb79

New York

4.05/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

From 7/9/10 notes. Had at a local DC tasting.

a - Pours a ruby red with a tint of brown.

s - Smells of cherries, dark fruits, and oak.

t - Tastes of cherries, with some tartness to it. Also a little bit of chocolate?

m - Medium body and low carbonation.

d - A very nice beer, especially if you like cherries. I thought it was very easy to drink and one of the better fruit beers I've had. Would love to try again.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2010 18:47:05 | More by mdfb79

ppoitras

Massachusetts

1.83/5  rDev -51.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 1

12oz bottle obtained via trade with kmpitz2. Thanks for the opportunity... Red foiled cap.

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed a 1/2" tan head over the clear brownish burgundy brew. Head is quickly gone, with average to good lacing. Aroma is sour cherries and hearty dark malts, smells like a cherry stout. Flavor is probably the most sweet beer I've ever had upfront. Blech. Have trouble getting anything else out of it but that. Mouthfeel is somewhat lacking in carbonation, and drinkability is in the cellar due to my not being able to get past the flavor. Wow, nasty.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2006 01:05:33 | More by ppoitras

weeare138

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Much thanks to hopdog for this...
Appears a dark toned brown with a red glow to it and an off white head that slowly fades. Decent streaks of lacing. Not very typical looking to a true stout.
Smell is awesome. Complex chewy vanilla, oak, tart cherries, along with enticing cocoa aromas. I really have to put the aroma on par with the Belgian Red b/c it takes me right back to that kick-ass brew when I inhale the wonderful aromas.
Taste is of the same aromas kicked down slightly a notch. Heavy cherry taste with cocoa and oak kicking around.
Mouthfeel is nicely mixed of tartness and sweetness with oak swirling around the palate. Medium bodied and mildly carbonated.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2006 12:22:14 | More by weeare138

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle into a tulip glass.

Pours a deep clear ruby, with a finger of light mocha head with maybe even just a little bit of a pinkish hue to it. This retains with some creamy bunching around the edges of the glass, with a solidly robust flareup that leaves some patchy swathes of lacing down the sides. The aroma is straight up cherry juice and vanilla notes, with the sweetness and sugars of this reminding me a lot of an old fashioned cherry soda. I'm getting just a smidge of cocoa and roast in the background, just enough to shake the nose up a bit. I will say that this is VERY full and assertive though. I'm digging it.

The taste is very similar to the aroma, with a bright cherry flavor to it, along with some backing notes of chocolate and just a touch of dark roast that helps cut the tartness of the cherries some. Some lightly spicy hops run through this, giving this a quick zip of spicy bitterness. Lingering tart cherry juice and some residual sugars hang on the lips after each sip. The mouthfeel medium bodied, with a bubbly and creamier feel up front that then gets sharper in the back. There's a definite smooth slickness underneath that keeps this easy and very drinkable.

At first this doesn't come off as very "Stout-like" but give it some time and let those subtle roasty notes work on you and it becomes a little more evident what they were trying for here. I will say though that this is pretty darn heavy on the cherry but I didn't mind so much. This was some pretty tasty stuff!

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2010 17:13:47 | More by Kegatron

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle opened thanks to grub!

Pours a cloudy reddish brown, definitely not dark enough for a stout, thin off white head forms, quickly settles to a thin ring, few lace spots. Smell is odd, very oaky/woody, vanilla, some cherries, alcohol, tons of fruit, more wood, not stoutish. Taste is crazy, brown sugar, smoke, charred wood and oak, caramel, oats, burnt chocolate, sour cherry finish, toasty and very drying. Mouthfeel is light to medium bodied with medium carbonation, weird sour finish, still pretty interesting. Thanks Russ!

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2008 04:20:50 | More by Viggo

Bighuge

Minnesota

3.25/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Dark ruby color. Clear. Very slgiht head and very little lacing. Interesting combo of roasted malts and tart cherries on the nose. Charred and smoky notes are at the forefront. It's not a perfect blend in this one by any means, but decent enough. This beer has got a nice little sweet and sour thing going on. Vinegar and brown sugar. Tart cherries and sweet cherries. Some oak comes through. Stout qualities really are lacking here though. I was hoping for some chocolate covered cherry type of action here, but it's not here. I miss the blend of char and roast with cherry that I was expecting. It's not a bad beer, just not what I was expecting.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2006 04:21:55 | More by Bighuge

corby112

Pennsylvania

2.08/5  rDev -44.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1.5

Pours a deep dark ruby red that is so dark it's almost black with golden ruby edges when held to a light source and a 1.5 finger light beige head. Very good retention, only slowly fading into a lasting cap that leaves streaks of lacing on it's way down.

The aroma is bursting with an intense syrupy cherry character. It smells a lot like a luden's cough drop and children's cold medicine. Whatever oak and malt notes are there are completely overpowering by the overly cloying sweet cherry presence. I'm sure they used real cherries but it smells incredibly artificial.

Medium bodied with a cloyingly sweet overpowering cherry flavor. Again it is very syrupy and artificial tasting even if the cherries are real. There are some chocolate/toasted malt notes underneath but this beer is too one dimensional with a boat load of sickening cherry sweetness.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2010 07:17:39 | More by corby112