Dry stouts (often referred to as Irish Stouts) are mahoganey brown to black in appearance and normally feature a genereous tan to brown head with excellent retention. The aromas and flavors normally consist of roasted barley, coffee, caramel, chocolate, and sometimes astringent and / or acidic qualities. As their name suggests, the finish is typified by a bitter dryness that complements the underlying creaminess of the body. The bitterness, dryness, and acidity should never dominate to the point of removing the smooth quality of these beers.
