Plevnan Stout

(Draught at Oluthuone Panimomestari, Tampere, on 2008-08-08) Black. Big brown head. Chocolate and roasted malts in nose. Full-bodied and dry palate. Sweetness, roastedness, almost burnt flavours, bitterness and chocolate in taste. Very long aftertaste that turns more and more bitter. Really nice dry stout.

Draught@Maltainen Monni, Helsinki. Dark, nearly black color, thick head. Aroma of black patent malt, very roasted and dry taste, medium-light body. Would have preferred a slightly fuller flavor.

A tarry colour and chocolate whipped cream head set the stage for a rich and oily roasted aroma, complimented by dutch coccoa and earthy hops. Quite full in the mouth, creamy, with a great depth of espresso and dark chocolate. Finishes with a forceful, drying bitterness and fine carbonation.

A dry stout, amped up in every manner imaginable, remains true to form.

50cl glass, draft @ Plevna.

Draft @ Plevna. Deep black colour with brown edges and a dark tan head. The aroma is redolent of dutch cocoa, French roast coffee, oatmeal, cereal and port with a slight chalky note. The flavour begins moderately sweet, lightly acidic, lightly bitter and finishes lightly sweet, moderately acidic and moderately bitter (mostly from the roast). The body is medium weight, has a slick texture and light carbonation. Eh, like usual, the oat aspect is a little too vegetal for me. But I am rather pleased to try such a strong stout and have it fit well to the dry-stout mold, given that most such offerings are nitro’d and weak of flavour. Original rating Ar7, Ap4, F7, P3, O14.

Draught (Kaisla, Helsinki) Full malty nose. Beautiful creamy malty bitter and ginger taste. Dark notes of coffee and ginger, but the bitterness is very prominant. A classic well-balanced stout.