THE POUR:
This beer pours very dark with a foamy tan head. Once the beer has settled the color stays dark dark brown almost black.

THE AROMA:
Very roasted and nutty, with slight undertones of coffee and chocolate. Smells very good and mild not overpowering.

THE TASTE:
The taste a first sip is very nutty with a hint of black coffee. After it sits the taste turns more bunt than nutty. The finish is dry and lifeless!!!

Mouth-feel is dense and heavy.

THE DECISION:
Overall this beer was a let down. It could be in part that my first experience with a nut brown was with a Samuel Smith. The beer could have better balanced.

THE GRADE: D

THE POUR:
A very cloudy brown with a thin head. The head does not stay longer than 30 seconds to 1 minute!

THE AROMA:
Spicy, wheat sent with a kick of sweet apple. Also notes of dark raisinish fruit accompanied by a floral knockout!

THE TASTE:
Very spicy in the front, as the beer mellows in your mouth it reveals it’s wonderful fruit and floral notes, that rest on your palate, then the bread like quality. After your finish the booze warms your throat down to your belly.

THE DECISION:
This beer was amazing! The overall complexity of this beer was very well put together. Very well balanced, the hops are very well complemented by the spiciness. High ABV at 10% so sip with caution.

THE GRADE: A

Manchester Brewing – Conspiracy Theory Oatmeal Stout

THE POUR:
Black, heavy and thick.

THE AROMA:
Heavy coffee sent, with a slight burnt smell. A hint of caramel malt. Good head retention, even after a second swirl!

THE TASTE:
Heavy on the coffee flavor with some bitterness to be expected accompanied by roasted cocoa. A very heavy stout, not sweet like a milk stout but rather much more hearty. Robust flavor and better served after a meal as a desert.

THE DECISION:
A very dark robust stout. A faint burnt taste and smell in the initial sniff and taste. But after the original surprise of you drinking a heavy brew. The taste starts to grow on you. I would recommended this beer to a veteran craft beer drinker!

THE GRADE: B-, C

THE POUR:
Smooth and dark in color, rich roast coffee aroma.

THE TASTE:
Nice roasted coffee flavor with hints of cocoa, faint hoppy notes. Not to bitter or burnt tasting like other stouts I have had. Smooth finish.

THE DECISION:
Not a bad beer! Not the best I have had. Over all it is a good brew from Sam Adams whom over time have morphed into a more then mainstream brewer rather than stay a craft brewery. But on the other hand really paved the way for today’s smaller brewers. Cheers!

THE GRADE: B+

THE POUR:
Light copper color with a spicy nutty pumpkin aroma, not much head.

THE TASTE:
Spicy full bodied and fairly hoppy, a good pale ale. Alcoholic content is there but didn’t destroy the taste.

THE DECISION:
All in all this is a very different beer than pumpkinhead. Not as sweet and mild, much more hops are used here. A little bit of that bitter bite. Warning; at 9% abv it is a strong brew only available in 1pint 6 oz bombers. I was left with a great taste and a buzz. Pairs well with pumpkin pie.

THE GRADE: A-