Michael Faricy's Stout

Thanks to Henry Lapka for bringing a six pack of this during a visit in Holland this past weekend. We tasted it first while cooking up a large Indian based meal of Sog, spicy Red Lentils and Curried Rice with Peas and Carrots. Reviewed on Tuesday evening after a day of bottling Mad Hatter and Imperial Hatter.

Appearance: The cap on the bottle didn't seem to be completely on...The beer itself took on a dark brown muddied appearance, while it still maintained some visible carbonation rising up from the murky depths of the glass. The head was very minimalist in stature, hardly yielding a complete foam over the surface of the beer
Aroma: Full heartedly roasted with an astringent burnt scent at the end. Not a lot of sweetness found in the aroma as it is primarily dominated by a burnt coffee smell.
Taste: I find this beer to be quite acidic. There is a chalky taste/flavor that follows the roasted black patton/chocolate malt with a faint sweetness that barely pushes through. The finish rounds out with a toasted grain flavor and ends on its dominant roasted note. Aftertaste is complete with flavors of charred wood, and toasted barley.
Mouthfeel: Carbonation was still adequate given the cap on the bottle, where its fine bubbles are exposed on the back half of the tongue. In fact it was just enough to make this beer quite easy to drink. On the lighter side of texture and body, leaving behind a cloying feeling on the roof of the mouth.
Overall Impression: This stout was very unique. It didn't have the body and thick mouthfeel expected when most think of the stout category. Likewise it left out the rich chocolate sweetness and went straight for an all roast flavor, which I've found few that do this. Certainly filling a niche market of craft beer drinkers who light their coffee straight-up and black. By all means if this description entices you, seek them out!