12 oz stubbie as per usual from SA in the DR series.
Pour is a dark, dark brown essentially black with a fizzy, coffee colored head. Retention and lace not great.
Nice dark estery malts and fruit in the nose.
Tastes reflect some of those traits but some oxidation plus somewhat surprising mild licorice notes that one might find in a Belgian style stout. Sweetness and alcohol both present but really quite reserved. The stout notes are really quite prominent and they build.
Smooth and silky in the mouth, with a slight bitter banana in the finish – the only real obvious sign of the style.
Still drinking well as long as you don’t mind a touch of oxidation (I don’t) and some maturing of the flavors. I did not have this fresh so I have no idea how it has changed, nevertheless very drinkable and tasty.