Old Australia Stout

Brewed by South Australia Brewing (Lion Nathan Co.)
Style: Foreign Stout
Thebarton, Australia

Serve in Snifter, Tulip

The distinctive character of Australian stout - rich, tar-like, strong, fruity, is evidenced here.

Date: 03/06/1997
Mode: Bottle
Source: total beverage, DC

black, whispy tan head, sweety malt aroma with hidden roaqsted character, sweet flavor with just a touch of roastedness, sweet finish, much like a milk stout 5/25: no sweetness, lots of malt based bitterness

Aroma: 5/10; Appearance: 5/10; Flavor: 5/10; Palate: 5/10; Overall: 10/20
Rating: 2.6/5.0
Score: *4
-------- /> The score was calculated based upon the notes and an old scoring system.

(Bottle) Pours a dark brown body with a small tan head. Aroma of raosted malt, licorice, and some alcohol. Sticky mouthfeel. Aroma of coffee, roasted malt, and syrup.

Rocky, medium gray-brown head atop syrupy dark brown liquid. Aroma is slightly whiskey, some peat. Taste is a whiskeyish chocolate, slightly roasted with coffee tones, and with a definite burn. Thinner body than I expected given the syrupy texture. Not what I think of when I think of a dry stout, but it's pleasant enough in its own right.

Pours a rich opaque black with a thin ring of light tan head. Aroma of sweet caramel malt, some roasty dark chocolate, dark fruits and soy sauce with a hint of tartness. First sip is of rich toffee molasses and with a touch of brown sugar and raisiny complexity. Thins some toward the drier finish, but has good authenticity. A decent and interesting foreign stout.

Bought this 1pint9oz bottle at Chuck’s fine wines in Ohio. It’s an undisputable black ale covered by a slice of tan foam. Sweetish with brown sugar hints, it immediately takes tary leanings as its sweetened roast settles over the palate, coating the mouth with grapey, berry-like influences. It might have trace oxidation, but that’s my mostly my fault for having bought a big bottle at 2.49. Can you resist those? Still, it seems to have resisted the passage of time just fine and remains relatively thick-bodied. An okay, fruity stout that does not explode with character, but at this price, it’s hard to ask for more.

Deep brown with amber highlights with a small tan head and good lacing. The aroma lints of burnt chocolate and black malts, molasses, oak barrel, moderate alcohol, aromatic hops, prune and apple, and espresso. The nose is very vinous and very traditional, I like it. The taste starts very malty sweet with a fruity and oaky background. I good hit of bitter hops and acidic notes come to play as well. A molasses twang is followed by a dry coffee finish. Quite tasty indeed. The body was medium with a creamy/oily mouthfeel, alcohol is present but very subdued. A underrated stout IMO. Very traditional with an English overtone, much like Fullers or Samuel Smiths. If you like the English style old ales and stouts, try this one out. If I didn't know better, I would have not guessed this to be made in Australia, good job mates.

Dark Black color, small head. Toasted malts, kind of hoppy. Full flavored. Full round mouthfeel. Dry finish. Interesting stout, not typical nut very nice. Finish is dry. Aftertaste is slightly bitter.