Gritty McDuff's Black Fly Stout - Gritty McDuff's Brewing Company

kjfinnerty

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5

A - midnight black body, off-white/tan head 1/2 inch thick after nitrogen settled out & maintained throughout consumption
S - roasty, light chocolate, and light coffee
T - Nice malt flavor, not overwhelming, roasted bitterness
M - thick for a dry stout, but still thin enough to go down easy
O - An excellent dry stout. This is one I would order again

Note: I had this beer maybe 10 years ago and I remember enjoying it then. I'm happy to see my taste for this beer had withstood the test of time.

Serving type: nitro-tap

06-09-2013 10:49:06 | More by kjfinnerty

PicoPapa

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

22oz bottle. Pours a pitch black color with some brown hues. Over an inch of thick, frothy tan head. Tons of lacing. The aroma is earthy and malty. Slightly sour with an aroma that reminds me a bit of an Oatmeal Stout. The taste is malty with hints of chocolate and earth. Roasty towards the end with a slightly sour finish. Heavily carbonated. Slick, tingly mouthfeel. Overall, good example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 18:18:59 | More by PicoPapa

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4.04/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Served on-tap at Bukowski Tavern in Boston, MA

A: Pours an opaque yet clear jet black in color with light to moderate amounts of visible carbonation and some cola brown + very dark amber highlights. The beer has a two finger tall creamy tan head that slowly reduces to a thin film covering the majority of the surface of the beer and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Significant amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate aromas of roasted malts with some moderate notes of chocolate and coffee.

T: Upfront there are moderate flavors of dark and roasted malts, just on the border of being burnt. Those are followed by the flavors of dark chocolate and espresso. Moderate amounts of bitterness that fades rather quickly.

M: Just heavier than medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Creamy and smooth with some light dryness in the finish.

O: The beer is pretty well balanced overall, though the hop flavors are not really pronounced they balance out the sweetness of the malts. Very enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

05-06-2013 22:18:28 | More by dbrauneis

ryan1788a5

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

22oz bomber poured into a pint glass.

A: Almost black in the glass, but not quite. Hints of ruby at the edges. Looks fairly clear. Big, creamy tan head looks very enticing and it doesn't budge an inch, ever. Lacing forms creamy rings on the glass. This is one great looking beer.

S: Acidic burnt malts and roast. Black coffee, bitter dark chocolate, nutty and woody. There's almost a creamy milk chocolate aspect to it as well. Raw cocoa. The nose is surprisingly malt-rich and complex, and it takes a little while to fully open.

T: Burnt malt at the outset. Black coffee, some acidity, spent coffee grounds, bitter dark chocolate, ghost-like hints of caramel and molasses. A little nutty and woody. Roasted and toasted grains. The acidity gives it an almost metallic edge for just an instant and lends that small sour twang that is expected of the style. Hops lend a green sort of bitterness that stays in a supporting role. Dry throughout. Finishes with tastes of raw cocoa, burnt malt, coffee grounds, and bitter dark chocolate.

M: On the lighter side of medium bodied. It sits rather lightly in the mouth, but it is luxuriously creamy and mouth-filling. A moderate amount of forceful, small-bubbled carbonation adds a bit of a crisp and even refreshing bite. Insanely smooth. Maybe the best mouthfeel I've come across in an Irish Dry. Beats the hell out of anything nitro can do.

O: This is just an all-around great beer, and a great representation of the style. It's rich, dark, tasty, and infinitely sessionable. More complex than your average Irish Dry to boot. What more could you want? I wish I could swap out every Guinness tap around me with this stuff.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 06:59:10 | More by ryan1788a5

RTEdmunds

New Hampshire

3.85/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours with a nice khaki colored head, moderate lacing. Inky black color.

Smoky in the nose, and some underlying earthyness.

Roasted barley up front, even tastes a bit like oats. Follows up with a bitter expresso finish.

Mouthfeel is pretty nice, but I would prefer a bit more body/creaminess. I can imagine this being great on nitro.

Pretty solid overall and I'm glad I picked it up.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2012 01:37:03 | More by RTEdmunds

bth86

Maine

4.2/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Wow- this beer has a very nice, thick, two finger tan head. It settles and leaves a nice lacing down the glass. The beer itself appears jet black- as I hold the glass up to the light- nothing passes through it.

S: I get a smokey scent to it, oatmeal, little bit of coffee

T: Nice smokey charcoal character, coffee again, a bit of chocolate, a little bit of a sour aftertaste

M: Very smooth, just enough carbonation, very dry finish

O: I really liked this one! Probably one of the best stouts I've had in a long while. I think that this one is a must try!

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2012 00:20:02 | More by bth86

kangarooAdam59

Wyoming

4.5/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Into a pint glass:

A: dark brown almost black colored body with a lumpy tan four finger head. The head begins to fade after a minute or two. The lacing is spotty lacing throughout.

S: coffee, with a hint of smoky chocolate. There is some light cinnamon and pepper.

T: bitter through the coffee and becomes balanced with some light milk chocolate.

M: medium, very smooth, no aftertaste, dry finish, some carbonation is felt on the tongue

O: this is an excellent choice for an Irish Dry Stout, probably one of the better beers by Gritty's.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2012 17:20:35 | More by kangarooAdam59

capeannbass36

Massachusetts

3.48/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A- Pours a dark brown, black topped with a 2 finger tan head. Spotty lacing throughout.

S- Coffee, a hint of chocolate. Perhaps a touch of smoke.

T- Chocolate, then coffee. Slight hint of smoke.

M- First thought was way too light for a stout.
Apparently that is to be expected on an Irish Dry Stout. Dry finish.

O- Sat on way too long. Buried behind other brews.
Will have to try again...fresh.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 22:09:30 | More by capeannbass36

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.98/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a bomber into a pint glass, the beer is jet black, with a brown highlight around the edges. There is a thin film of milk-chocolate colored head that coats the top of the brew. Aromas are of deep coffee, campfire smoke and char, very bitter and dark chocolate, and some sharp spicing throughout (maybe some cinnamon and pepper). Flavors are light and very dry, with a dark roasted coffee ground flavor front and center, followed by campfire smoke and a meaty highlight. The body is light, smooth, and extremely dry, which is a perfect representation of the style. The aftertaste is mostly smoke, with a rich and semisweet highlight. The finish is dry, and extremely clean. Chocolatey notes finish off as the flavors clear. Very tasty beer...great for a campfire!

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 02:20:50 | More by GarthDanielson

cbutova

Massachusetts

3.38/5  rDev -12%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A- Black ale poured into a pint glass from a 22oz bottle. Big tan head forms with nice size and retention. Good coats of lace down the glass.

S- Relaxed roast malt, oatmeal and grains hint, raisins and dark fruit note. Decent overall strength.

T- Light stout consisting of roast malt, cocoa, raisins and a tart dark fruit aspect, not sure of bottle age but it doesn't seem oxidized, maybe a slight infection... Grain flavor as well.

MF- Light bubbly body with a somewhat watery feel. Slight roast bitterness.

I originally reviewed this as a regular stout, it makes a bit more sense as an Irish Dry. I will try another bottle soon to see if this one was not good and fresh.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2011 16:40:38 | More by cbutova

CaptDavyJones

New York

3.93/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured an absolute pitch black color (no light penetration) from a 22 oz bomber, with no ABV or freshness date on the label.
Huge two finger tan color head that dissipates slowly leaving behind some nice lace.
Aroma is high on malt with notes of cocoa, milk chocolate, roasted coffee and some licorice evident.
Taste is predominantly of roasted malts, and the bitterness in the finish is just right.
Medium bodied stout that is very easy to drink. Not as dry as I was expecting from the aroma.
This is a very nice example of an irish dry stout.
Definitely worth trying and is highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2011 02:30:30 | More by CaptDavyJones

glid02

Georgia

4.1/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Nitro at Bukowski’s in Boston.

Pours black with dark brown highlights and a thick off-white head that leaves solid lacing.

Smells of muted roasted malts with good amounts of dark chocolate and hints of smooth coffee. Also present are slight amounts of leafy hops.

Tastes similar to how it smells. Smooth roasted malts up front are joined quickly by semi-sweet chocolate flavors. Midway through very light amounts of coffee and lighter still hints of char come into play, fading out into a moderately bitter ending. Mouthfeel is good, with smooth carbonation.

Overall I enjoyed this beer and thought it was well done, although I think it would benefit from CO2 as opposed to nitrogen. Still, it’s worth a shot however you find it.

Serving type: nitro-tap

08-14-2011 20:55:11 | More by glid02

jondeelee

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Smells deep and earthy, as if smelling fresh peat moss, with additional heavy emphasis on chocolate malts, and the wholesome aroma of spent grain bread.

The darker flavors are the first on the tongue, and dominate most of the mouthful, bringing notes of burnt grains and chocolate malts, tobacco, dark toffees, black coffee, caramelized brown sugar, and dark fruit esters. The tobacco and burnt-black grains came on stronger near the end of the mouthful for me, and stuck around on my soft palate for quite awhile after I'd swallowed. Hops add a nice background bitter fuzz, but manage to avoid the grapefruity, floral notes that can come along with that--notes which would be unwelcome in a beer such as this. I was surprised, however, that the brew lacked the viscosity that I'd expected, given the massive number of ingredients, and the mouthfeel came across as even thinner than a soda. This was slightly unsatisfying, but the fullness of the flavors went a long way towards making up for it.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2011 19:23:49 | More by jondeelee

andrewinski1

Maine

3.4/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a pint glass. Excellent black body with a nice tan colored head.

The aroma smells like slight bitter malt. It's not particularly strong but it's what I expected.

The taste is relatively mild but quite tasty. The start is dry and crisp. The finish is nice and chocolatey with a mild amount of sweetness.

The feel is light and fluffy with soft carbonation.

Serving type: nitro-tap

04-03-2011 23:26:09 | More by andrewinski1

rinhaak

Massachusetts

3.48/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a dark black, with an almost reddish hue. Very little head on my beer poured at Logan airport. But what little head is there is thick and doesn't dissolve.

Nose is very strong. Sweet with vanilla, chocolate, and caramel.

With so much character in the nose, I was a little disappointed with the mouth. Zero carbonation, there is little of the strong chocolate and vanilla from the nose. The finish is lovely, though, as roasted barley-style Malts come through.

Very drinkable, it doesn't taste as dark as it actually is.

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2011 22:50:15 | More by rinhaak

Suds

Pennsylvania

2.73/5  rDev -28.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

This is a deep, solid black color with a thick brown head. It's a very nice-looking stout. The taste is interesting...licorice, barley, roasted malt, and some spicy hops. There's also a bit of sour-candy smell that's just a little off-putting. The taste is dry...way dry. Astringent and a little tart. The licorice character is a lot more pronounced in the taste. Dry and slightly light finish. Medium to light body. All in all, this is a pretty forgettable stout.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2011 01:57:27 | More by Suds

NCSUdo

Massachusetts

4.18/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz bottle

A: Black body under a small to medium sized tan head. Good lace and retention.

S: Sweet, some citrus hops, some nutty and roasted undertones, and maybe a hint of chocolate.

T: Sweet up front before roasted, almost smoky malt character shows up, nutty. Overall finish is on the roasted side.

M/D: Full bodied, carbonation is low. Very drinkability. Good beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2010 01:52:38 | More by NCSUdo

KTCamm

New Jersey

4.22/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22 oz bomber purchased at the Freeport Grittys poured into a pint glass.

Pours dark black with light foam and off white color.

Roasted malty smell. Hints of coffee, some dark chocolate as well.

Rich roasted taste, thick in the mouth. Minimal bittering, very smooth. Coffee aftertaste. Bittering picks up as beer warms.

Very dry finish. Excellent stout. Low ABV makes it really drinkable. And super tasty.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2010 23:45:09 | More by KTCamm

BeerPhan86

New York

4.13/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Admittedly I am not well versed in this style. But a local store had 2 for 5 Black Fly bombers! I remember buying a Gritty's variety pack some time ago and enjoying every one of the beers.

A - Completely opaque and black as the night. 2 finger light brown head that has great retention and sticky lacing.

S - Very mild. Chocolate and roasted malt/grains. Definitely inviting but not much going on.

T - Roasted malt with lingering tastes of coffee and chocolate. I'm getting some earthy hops in the relatively dry finish. Delicious and well balanced.

M - Medium bodied and slightly oily with minimal carbonation. Pretty nice mouthfeel for a stout, creamy and slightly chewy.

D - Very drinkable, I will have no problem finishing the 22oz. I would not session a beer this dark however.

Overall, this was pretty good. I will try and sample Gritty's other offerings when possible.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2010 03:18:38 | More by BeerPhan86

puboflyons

New Hampshire

3.7/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

From the 22 fl. oz. bottle. Sampled on July 17, 2010. The pour is rich black with about a half inch of silky tan head and excellent lacing. The aroma is full of grains and charcoal fired malts with a notable but light hoppiness. The taste is nice and dry, dark, and decent with hops. I could not quite define it but it wasn't bad at all.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2010 00:27:24 | More by puboflyons

bpbieste

Florida

4.1/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 5

I lost my review when the page didn't save after I hit the "review" button. So, I'll try to paraphrase

Appearance: Dark appearance, with a thickness approaching molasses.

Smell: Mild aroma, chocolate and coffee odors.

Taste: Roasted Malts, chocolate and coffe, as expected.

Mouthfeel: Good carbonation.

Drinkability: Very good stout. Easy to drink. I would recommend this to anyone.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2010 02:35:42 | More by bpbieste

farfromstout

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had at Gritty McDuff's

A: Black as can be.

S: Very subtle undertone of coffee or espresso.

T: Really liked the flavor of this one. Not overwhelming (for me) of anything particular. A slight complexity to it.

M: Smooth.

D: Had it with some shepard's pie, I was full but left wanting more...great drinkability.

Have been a recent stout convert and am truly finding that there are some great craft breweries out there. This is one of them.

Serving type: nitro-tap

11-04-2009 13:42:53 | More by farfromstout

DNICE555

Connecticut

3.83/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On nitro tap at Redbones.

A - Midnight black, 4 finger creamy tan head, great looking stout. Head stays and coats the whole glass.

S - Butterscotch, chocolate, coffee.

T - Roasted malts, butterscotch, chocolate, and and coffee.

M - Low carbonation, very creamy.

D - 4.1%??? Wow, tons of body and flavor for this abv.

Serving type: nitro-tap

11-02-2009 20:29:18 | More by DNICE555

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

3.78/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On nitro tap at Redbones. Didn't think this was so low of an ABV, had lots of flavour!

Pours a dark ruby red, almost black away from the light, thick light tan head forms, drops rings and chunks of lace on its way down to a thick layer.

Smell is nice, very roast, light chocolate and caramel, toast, lightly fruity, some raisins, brown sugar, biscuit, light but good.

Taste is similar, chocolate roastiness, caramel, raisin, some dark fruit, brown sugar, coffee grinds, nice malts, good solid chocolate roast bitterness.

Mouthfeel is light bodied with low carbonanation, smooth and creamy. Kind of a neat dry cocoa powder finish. A pretty quality stout.

Serving type: nitro-tap

10-19-2009 16:02:15 | More by Viggo

Blitzstyle

Florida

3.8/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured from bottel into a pint glass. Absolute pitch black with a big head that sticks around.

Smells metallic and roasted malt, a hint of coffee.

Taste like coffe and dark chocolate, the dark malt is also very present.

It doesn't linger very long on the tounge. Some bubbles on the tounge and on the way down. Not as creamy as I wanted it to be.

Could knock a couple of these down a night good drinkablity.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2009 01:24:45 | More by Blitzstyle