Dark Horse Too Cream Stout

January 25th, 2009 beckel

Today I am enjoying my last two bottles of Dark Horse Brewing’s Too, a Milk Stout and 2nd in their five beer Holiday Stout Series. Their One an Oatmeal Stout [review] was simple yet enjoyable and the Too is quite similar. This brew pours a very dark black color that allows no light through. Very little head is formed but it is a nice dark tan color. Aroma is full of dark nicely roasted malts, coffee and chocolate aromas are lovely. This ale encompasses many dark roasted malt flavors that impart a slight smokiness all of which are toned down a bit by the creamy flavors present. Though this stuff looks a bit like oil its body is reasonably light for a stout and the mouthfeel is a bit creamy and very smooth. With a very well hidden 8% ABV this ale shows you can create a lighter stout that still packs a punch. Those who enjoy a less intense stout will likely appreciate this brew as it is nice and creamy but still has plenty of nice roasted malt flavor. So far I am still most partial to Dark Horse’s Scotty Karate [review] as I feel I find more flavors every time I enjoy a bottle. Can’t wait for the rest of the series to pop up at my local liquor stores, I am particularly curious about the Tres a Blueberry Stout as well as the last in the series Plead the 5th an Imperial Stout. Thanks to Dark Horse for crafting flavorful ales and distributing them to our lovely land of Minnesota, keep it up. Give it a shot and ride your bike.

Dark Horse Too Cream Stout

Bell’s Special Double Cream Stout

September 9th, 2008 beckel

Bells Brewery tends to make good ale but I had avoided their Special Double Cream Stout until now, hesitant but curious about the double cream part. This beer pours a dark impenetrable black color that ends up producing a good inch of lovely dark brown creamy head. The aroma of this beer is intense, sweet and malty one moment and then roasted and a bit bitter but still very smooth and appealing. This is one smooth beer, mouthfeel is medium but it doesn’t have a ton of body for a stout and it goes down very easily with its creamy consistency. Though this beer tastes a bit creamy it is undoubtedly still a stout, coffee flavor is immense and penetrating. Roasted malts swarm the palate and provide some nice bitter flavors that overpower most of the sweet flavors present in this beer. The 6.1% ABV of this beer seems to work well as it is not particularly strong but you can still tell you are drinking alcohol. If you are looking for a stout that is a bit creamy and not particularly thick but still incorporates roasted coffee flavors you may very well appreciate this beer. This is also a good choice for people who want to start appreciating stouts but are not as accustomed to their flavor. Give it a shot and ride your bike.

Bell's Special Double Cream Stout