750 mL, elegant, screen-printed bottle with dense silver foil on the neck. Capped. Thanks go out to someone(!) as part of a great trade – apologies but I forget who, this was a long time ago. Vintage? I’m not sure.

I went for the UK pint glass – I like my stouts as pints – the full 20 oz mind you, too! No girly tulip for me. (Different bottle pictured)

Another MASSIVE beer with a MASSIVE hype – we’ll see.

Jet black, viscous pour, but to be honest the head and lace is disappointing. Creamy coffee and alcohol dominate the aroma. Mild and non-aggressive which was surprising to me (and welcome). Carbonation is low, and the mouthfeel is good (creamy) bu there is a slight hint of fine, stinging bubbles AND some residual ethanol.

Tastes are obviously coffee dominated, but plenty of alcohol too. Although the alcohol IS present, it paradoxically seems well concealed – BIG but controlled.

Finish has more alcohol residue.

Despite what I have written above, this very large beer does have most of its components under control. It does have alcohol present, but it is all in check as is the very obvious but somehow subtle coffee. This an interesting beer to me since it seems really big but at the same time quite subtle – an odd combo and difficult to pull off. Well crafted.