Freeminer Deep Shaft Stout

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

No Bottle Date; Sampled May 2008
A vigorous pour only summons forth a frothy, one-finger thick, cocoa stained, dark tan colored head in my 25cl tulip glass. The beer is a pitch black color that doesn't allow any light through its depths. The aroma has quite a Port-wine character to it. Dark chocolate aromas, burnt molasses, black coffee and a bit toasted bread crust note interweave with the Port character.

Very dry and quite a bit lighter in heft than I was expecting from the rich aroma. The beer finishes with a dry, burnt prune like tartness that is constructed from the roast malt character. Dusty cocoa flavors up front lead into a dry, black espresso note that in addition to its roast flavors also contributes a light bitterness in the finish. A touch of light, yet burnt Sherry towards the finish adds a bit of complexity. This is dominated by roast grain notes, but it seems that it could really use some complex malt sweetness, which is entirely lacking here.

This beer has quite a soft signature despite being so massively dark; somehow it just doesn't seem right that the flavors and aroma are so muted for something this dark. Not a bad beer, just seems a bit flat and thin, even considering that this probably has some age to it. Put another way, it seems to have the aroma and flavor I want, but just seems to lack a little boost in richness that would make this a fantastic tipple.

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

Now this is one good friggin beer. Aroma is chocolately, coffee, roasty, licorice, dark brown sugar and malty. Appearance was jet black and it just glugged out of the bottle (is glugged a word?). Mouthfeel was creamy and smooth, just like a English stout should be and (suprise!) no nitro widget to get it to that point. Just pure goodness. Flavors carried the same notes as the aroma and it was an extremely tasty experience. Probably one of the best stouts I've had. Top notch.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 9

Pitch black pour with no head.Very full bodied and creamy brew which is slightly bitter. Nice coffee and dark chocolate notes. A little sweetness at the front smokiness in the middle with just a hint of alcohol at the finish.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Midnight black color. Small head. Aroma is chocolate malt and slightly sweet. A medium bodied stout. Deeply roasted malt flavors. Initially Very dry and astringent, but it mellows out to a smooth a very dry finish. Complex flavors, you can taste the roasted barley and oats, balanced out by the hops. There is also some smokiness to this beer. Very different English Stout. Took me over an hour and a half to finish it. Mouthfeel is very full and round. Finish is bone dry. Aftertaste is a long lasting slight bitterness.

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

From a bottle. Pours with a thick, viscous, oil quality. I anticipated the aroma and flavors. Little tan colored head. Walnuts, coffee and cream in the aroma. The flavor is subtle, but delicious. Some coffee, dark roasted coffee, cola and a little oats. Overall, this is an excellent stout. I am definitely going to buy this again.

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 10 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 10

500 ml bottle conditioned real ale, bought at Selfridge's, London. Enormous thick tan head. Pitch black colour, even when held to the light. Very possibly the darkest beer in the world. Wonderful aroma of roasted malts, dark bitter chocolate, oak and cedarwood. Flavour is all smoked and heavily roasted malts and oats. A world class stout.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

WOW talk about a thick beer! This was like chocolate roasted mud. Was a bit heavy for me though. No head whatsoever. Had a nice roasted malt and coffee taste to it. However it was a little to bitter for my liking. A nice stout though and should be tried.

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Damn i thought I hit oil when I poured this into a glass. Sweet rich and full bodied. a very nice stout to pass a night in front of the fire place

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Wow, this is a dark beer. it’s black as night with a thick brown head and tons of lacing. The aroma is slightly sweet and malty yet bitter and roasty with a touch of sourness, a little coffee and some licorice. The flavor is bitter and roasty with a slightly sweet malty note and a little licorice. Full bodied, smooth and slightly warming.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Dark as the inside of a cow. I'd explain that to you, but don't have the time. Chocolate brown head, sheets of lace, sweet malt and grainy nose, full mouth feel, creamy, roasted and toasted, damn what a pleasure. Hops at the finish add a special treat to this marvelous brew.