Cambridge Beantown Espresso Stout

Tap at brewpub listed as Luv Buzz Espresso Stout- for Valentines day. Also this batch listed as 6.1% Pours a rich deep black with a nice lasting deep tan head. Real nice fresh deep black bitter espresso aroma with nutty dark chocolate hints and a light sugary creamy sweentess as well. Flavor has more coffee than chocolate- with some dark burnt nutty malts, light acidity form the burnt roasted malts- and a smooth finish. Pretty good overall.

On cask at ABF, 6/18/2005. Dark brown body has dropped bright, as it is transparent when the pour settles out, with some deep violet tinged-ruby highlights throughout. Creamy, thick head is quite small, barely a finger high, but retained fairly well, yet with little lacing. Smells like rich, lightly bitter espresso beans, not much in the way of earthy compost, with some hersheys chocolate notes. Flavor has a mix of caramel malt and bitter espresso, giving it a little bit chewier a feel than the average coffee stout. Sugary sweet at times, a good deal less complex and not quite the mouthfeel of Founders’ or Dieu du Ciel’s or Bell’s versions Definitely watery on the end, however, with a touch of alcohol and gets a bit too bitter at times. Still, a good flavor if somewhat dominated by the coffee, but then, arent all coffee stouts?

On tap at the pub. Near black color, with a quick fading tan head. Smells like old coffee, some roasted notes. Flavor has a long dark chocolate (continuing into a dry finish), coffee bitterness. Mediumish body, somewhat watery at times. From the description it appears there is a lot of coffee in this thing, and it certainly tastes that way. Didn’t have the regular stout on which this is based, but I’m guessing it’s a bit more balanced than this.