Island Stout

Product Reviewed: Island Stout
Brewed By: Whidbey Island Brewing Co.; Langley, WA
Review By:David Brockington
Original Posted to Usenet: June 5, 1995

Whidbey Island Brewing Company
630 B 2nd Street
Langley, Washington

Initial Impressions:

This beer appeared cloudy and dark brown in my glass, rather unlike the expected black opacity that the style demands. Head retention was poor, and no lace was present on the side of the glass as I imbibed my sample.

Nose:

A teasing flirtation of hop aroma was presented against a background of chocolate and patent notes.

Flavor:

A chocolately-roasty note was the first sensation that I experienced. This blended into a general dark maltiness, followed by a grainy astringency. The astringency lingered into the finish.

Final Analysis:

Save for the astringent note, this was a drinkable beer, but it did not approach its stylistic target. Its claims to stouthood were belied by the reality present in my glass. It would make a very good porter, but it did not have the requisite dominant roasty notes for either an export or an Irish Dry stout. Hop bitterness was also nowhere to be found.

Rating: **1/2

(5 star scale)

Next Up:

Abita Amber Lager
Abita Bock

Comments? Fire off some email:

dbrock@u.washington.edu