Bare Knuckle Stout

I am normally partial to stouts and porters, but this is an exception. It looks nice coming out of the keg (had this at the Mensa AG in Denver), dark sable-brown with a decent head. Aroma, however, is rather weak, albeit typical of a stout. Flavor is rather insipid - it tastes like watered-down coffee with just a little bit of an alcohol zing. Texture is smooth but lifeless. Forget this one.

I tried this on tap at the A-B hospitality room at Sea World Orlando. Given my previous experience with A-B products, I was leery of trying this, but since it was free I gave it a shot. I have to say, I was impresses that there is an A-B product I’d have again. The appearance was a nice, solid black with a reasonably impressive head that lasted for most of the glass. The smell seemed to be quite muted -- There wasn’t much happening there besides some mild roasted smells. I was impressed with the flavor, which had some chocolate and coffee taste to it. The beer had a somewhat creamy texture with the head and carbonation, but overall it was a bit light for my tastes. Still, I would rate this as perhaps the best A-B product I’ve tried; maybe an upper middle class of beers I’ve had. If I had the choice, I’d still order a Guinness over this, but I would drink it again.

A very good beer, thick foamy head, very smooth, roasted, and carmel malts, very strong. I’d choose this over guiness

i was actually impressed that an ab product had a great pour and the head stook around. however the appearance was a little decieving. but the beer was actually decent it was above average. if you had this to choose from in a bar choose guiness. but if not this would be a safe choice.

tap. this is really a pretty half decent beer. hard t believe, but it is a drinkable AB product. Dark black pour. Aromas are toasty and roasty. Flavors are much the same. More carbonation than a Guinness. Not bad, not amazing.

On tap at the Winder Hotel. Very light roasted grain with little hops. Nothing really to the nose - a light chocolate but faint. Dark black-brown clear with rich creamy light tan lacing head; nitrogen. Light body with creamy carbonation. Fairly dry stout with little malt flavor, maybe a bit of chocolate sweetness. Mild coffee sourness and dry bitter finish. A bit of tangy nutty after. Really just a weak Guinness clone.

On tap. Pours a jet black with a sharply articulated tan head. Faint smell of wood, bread, roasts, and metal. Flavor was strangely muted, bready, and metallicky. Palate was weak and far too light for the style. I’m really confused here. My waiter suggested that this beer was a darker version of Guinness, but the body was altogether too light and the flavor was a piss poor attempt at a bready roasted stout. Will not have again. Oh, its an AB offering, that explains it! 2.8.

Had this on tap at the AB brewery in St. Louis. Dark oily pour with a rich and creamy head. First thing first, seeing as this comes from AB, this is an obvious attempt at a Guinness clone. It looks great with an oily black pour with a creamy off-white head, but it all ends there. It smells like little to nothing; slight hints of roasted malts and thats about it. It tastes very similar, like nothing: slight roasted malt flavors with hints of molasses, but very water dominated. It is pretty light and watery on the palate for the appearance and the style. Overall: probably the best AB, but not a great stout.