My mother warned me of this. Dark, strange mistresses of seduction who would intoxicate me with their sheer beauty and charm. Little did I know she was talking about beer.
I'd been wanting to try a stout (other than Guinness, of course), since I tend to enjoy dark lager. I was hoping for an imperial stout, but when I noticed this Irish stout by Carlow Brewing Company on the MLCC shelf, it practically jumped into my arms.
Thus began my love affair with this O'Hara's stout. It poured inky black with a two-finger tan head. I'm given to understand that the tan head is indicative of having been brewed with coffee, and the aroma quietly agrees. The aroma was a sweet blend of chocolate and coffee. Holding the glass up to the light, I wasn't able to see anything penetrating the murky darkness, except for some reddish hues around the edges. I've read about this sort of thing in books, but I've never seen it for myself until last night.
The beer is creamy and perfectly smooth, comparable in mouthfeel to Guinness but considerably less dry. It's rich with flavor: coffee, cream, chocolate, an understated sweetness, and a burnt smokiness. The finish is mildly bitter, but in the best possible way.
This beer also introduced me to an afterglow effect that I've never before experienced. It's the morning after, and I'm still sighing contentedly to myself. I never knew beer could be so satisfying, but this one absolutely was.
The Bottom line: I wanted to make love to this beer.
The Rating: Good Stuff.
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