Schlafly Special Release Irish Extra Stout

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

Brown black pour with a slight tan head, plenty of lacing. Chocolate and roasted malts dominate the aroma and palate, with a nice near burnt flavor, some molasses, hint of coffee and nuts, earthy. Very nice stout, will revisit.

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

I came to this brew through the "back door" so to speak, after tasting Schlafly's Reserve Imperial Stout, which I dearly love, and I can certainly follow the bloodline! Pours a deep brown, roasted malt dominates the nose, followed by a balancing tang of hops. Flavor follows the nose. Classic, dry finish, as befits an Irish Stout. Mouthfeel is a bit thin, if I have to find a weakness. 3 of my 4 favorite beerstores have run out; I miss it, already!

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

Bottle courtesy of Brett and Hannah. Pour was solid, big huge head, solid lacing. The aroma was chocolate and cocoa, pretty simple. Flavor was mostly chocolate and cocoa with some tropical fruity notes detectable (coconut too?). Coffee was also present underneath with some roasted notes. The mouthfeel was creamy and typical of the style. Another nice production by Schlafly, thanks Brett and Hannah!

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

A purposeful offering from Schlafly. Few FESs I've had have real purpose. Simply being a larger stout, while this one comes across as distincly Irish, it holds the dry, minerally character of an Irish Stout, even as it encroaches on RIS territory. Roasty, mild coffee and cocoa flavors, more molasses than caramel/toffee like in an RIS. Malty and big, but still dry, not hot with alchol, well conditioned. I've got a few of these tucked away in my cellar and a few more stashed for Noogfest. Another nice brew from the brewery down the road.

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

This beer pours dark brown, almost jet black, with a nice tan head, and slight lacing. The aroma is big roasted malts, coffee, and a sweet semi molasis type scent. The mouthfeel is a little on the thin side, with low carbonation. The flavor is pretty standard stout actually. Other than the obvious sweetness in the finish, I don't notice a huge difference between this and Schlafly's regular offering. There is a little more bitterness, and the alcohol content is higher, but in overall flavor they are very simular. Their is a slight earthy flavor to this, which is an interesting twist and a good addition to a stout. If you like dry stouts, I think you will like this extra stout. It is definitely worth a tasting, and as an Irishman I salute anyone who puts out a themed beer for St Pattys day.