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Poured from a growler into a nonic pint glass. Deep brown and opaque, like used motor oil with a brown head that lasts. Aroma of roasty nutty malt and mild English hop, along with faint diacetyl (it is, after all, a Ringwood brewery!) that actually seems to work here.

Starts with an enveloping dark roasted malt, leathery and slightly bitter on the tongue, with underlying nuttiness. The bitterness just goes on and on, a brilliant roasty-toasty-earthy (that's the hops talking) mix, with a nuttiness and again hints of diacetyl that work together to round out the flavor. Absolutely a beer that benefits, rather than lessens, due to the presence of this yeast. Finishes extremely clean, with a lingering clean roasted bitterness that says "more!" Almost ideal mouthfeel - slightly chewy, but never overbearing.

One of my all time favorite stouts, and on cask it's absolutely dynamite. It would lose so much in the bottle, so I'm glad they don't bottle it. This one's meant for draft or cask, preferably in a big glass.

This review is dedicated to Pepper, our cat who passed away and whose fur was pretty much the color of this beer.

Served In: Pint Glass