Howe Sound Diamond Head Stout

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

For me this draft beer from the Alibi Room had some strong coffee. Tan head, more coffee in the aroma. Black beer, light bodied, really wet tasting (as in not at all dry, the opposite of...). Brit in style with a slight tartness like some russian porters/stouts even. Smooth but not quite a straight line if that makes sense, darts around the toungue a bit. Drinks like water except easier. Some slight biscuit but more like cracker.

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Rich aroma is smoky with tones of quality coffee and molasses and just a hint of burnt caramel, somewhat sweet but not cloying. It pours an oily sable that is nearly opaque but does let a little light get through at the edges. Light tan head is thick, fine-bubbled and frothy, and sticks around for a while. Flavor, unfortunately, does not quite live up to the promise of the aroma. Although it has good tones of roast coffee, unsweet chocolate and molasses, as well as a hint of hops, it is a bit on the thin side. Texture is fairly fizzy and a little watery. Overall, though, this is a decent beer.

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

No, not THAT Diamond Head. This poured probably the darkest head I've ever seen, almost grey, and two pinky fingers thick. The body was impenetrably dark, and the aroma was surprisingly faint; there might've been some malt/coffee/dark chocolate going on but it was hard to discern. The taste was much, much more satisfying, with certainly some burnt coffee flavour. The aftertaste is okay as well, and the mouthfeel was not as thin as expected. This beer went well with a BBQ'd ribeye and pickled beets. Mmmmmmmmmmm! Kudos to Howe Sound for the 1-litre swing top bottle, too.