calm
Pours a very dark, opaque brown with a small tan head that fades to a thick lacing. The beer is too dark to see carbonation.
First Sip: Mild roasted malts, with a stronger toffee and black coffee flavour that almost hide the malt. Hops is very mild but lingering. There is a little carbonation tingle on the tongue. Mouth-feel is astringent but a bit thin. The after-drink beer burp is nice.
The website says "Bold and inviting, the smooth finish of Stoke Dark is sure to warm the soul on a cold winter’s day... or any other day for that matter. " That sounds like the beer was brewed for today, which is a dull, damp, cool mid Autumn's day. Yeah, about that... The beer doesn't have that belly-warming feel that a good dark should have. The malt is a little to mild, and the beer seems a little too thin. This is still a good, drinkable beer but it seems more suited to a warm evening than a cold one.
Stoke Dark (English Porter)
McCashin's Brewery, Nelson NZ
4.5% alc/vol
330ml bottle
Same again, sir? Um... okay.
