Cork Stout

Back in February I reviewed a Pale Ale from Cork pub and brewery Cotton Ball. At the time I wasn't able to get my hands on their Stout, and I've been waiting to try it for ages. I finally got some after a tasting night in McHugh's two shops a couple of weeks ago.

Lynch's Handcrafted Stout is a lovely example of the style. Roast Coffee is the order of the day here in this robust, pitch black tipple.

Pretty subtle on the nose, the first mouthful brings that dark bitterness right to the fore. Once you settle into it, the more subtle background flavours start to break through. Slight liquorice, a hint of sweet molasses just lingering in the finish enticing you back for more.

For all the love that hop-bombs have gotten, or yeasty Saisons being the latest popular style, it's great to see a stout that's not afraid to showcase those malts, and when that's balanced with a nice smoothness in the mouthfeel it's pretty much the best way to drink beer.

An excellent example of a really simple style that's difficult to master.