92 San Quentin’s Breakout Stout, Marin Brewing Co. (CA). 7% ABV (1/10)
Opaque brown black color. Chocolate-covered espresso bean and faint dried fig aromas follow through on a soft, supple entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with chewy roasted grain and nut notes and a long, tangy latte and mild citrus marmalade on toast-accented fade. A beautifully composed and easy drinking stout that will work great at the table.
92 Cream Stout, St. Peter’s Brewery (England). 5.9% ABV (1/11)
Rich chocolate maple nut fudge, dried pear and faint salmon teriyaki aromas and flavors with supple dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a crème caramel and mossy hop-accented finish. Very flavorful and sessionable.
91 Lion Stout, Lion Brewery Ceylon PLC (Sri Lanka). 8% ABV (1/10)
Muddy brown color with a fine, frothy tan head. Rich toffee and mocha aromas follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with cascading layers of dried fruits and nuts. Finishes with a long, cocoa-dusted coffee bean and tangy fruit peel fade. A delicious and satisfying stout.
90 Spetsnaz Stout, Grumpy Troll Brewery (WI). 6.4% ABV (1/11) %{Brewpub}
Black brown color. Aromas of stewed rhubarb, cocoa and toasted nuts with a round, dryish medium-to-full body and a crisp, rye bread toast and peppercorn-accented finish. A refreshing food beer; pair with fish and chips.
90 Mobay Stout, John Harvard’s Brew House, Framingham (MA). 7% ABV (1/09) %{Brewpub}
Dark brown color. Charred pecan, cocoa powder and roasted vegetable aromas follow through on a smooth supple entry to a dryish medium body with a chocolate crème brûlée note and a long dried fruit, pepper and nut-accented finish. A rich, drinkable stout. Tasty!
88 Samuel Adams Cream Stout, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 4.9% ABV (1/11)
Interesting aromas of toasted coconut, dried apple and banana nut toast with a round, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a crisp, fruit and grain mélange on the finish
88 McCleary’s Stout, Bastone Brewery (MI). 5.5% ABV (1/09) %{Brewpub}
Opaque brown black color with a lacy taupe head. Sweet, creamy mocha candy aromas follow through on a round, frothy entry to a dryish medium body with good roasted grain and coffee bean character. Finishes with a balanced nutshell-like astringency and a hint of dried fruits.
87 Steel Toe Stout, Ska Brewing Co. (CO). 5.4% ABV (1/11)
Aromas of chocolate pudding, dark roasted nuts and a hint of teriyaki turkey jerky with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a melon sorbet, caramelized pear and light pepper snap on the finish. A solid, flavorful sipper.
85 Spetsnaz Sweet Stout, Grumpy Troll Brewery (WI). 5.8% ABV (1/09) %{Brewpub}
Dark brown color with a high rocky tan head. Singed chocolate, dark rye toast and leafy earth aromas with a soft, satiny entry leads to a dryish medium body with a touch of cream and charred nut on the breezy fade. A nice quaffer.
84 Buffalo Sweat Cream Stout, Tallgrass Brewing Company (KS). 5% ABV (1/11)
Dark brown black color. Aromas of candy apples and toasty rice Chex s’mores with a supple, fruity-yet-dry light-to-medium body and a spicy apple sauce, carrot, iced coffee and honeyed wafer finish. Interesting.