Jolly Brewer Suzanne's Stout

ABV: 3.5%
Origin: Wrecsam, Cymru
Website: www.jollybrewer.co.uk

A shorter version was originally published in BEER November 2008. For more smoky beers see previous post.
Top Tastings 2008. A shorter version also published on facebook January 2009.

Jolly Brewer

Roasted unmalted barley lends an unmistakeable sharp roasty bite to Irish-style dry stouts. A distinctive example is Jolly Brewer Suzanne’s Stout from a tiny but delightful craft brewery in Wrexham. The recipe also includes pale barley malt, flaked barley and Target and Goldings hops.

Beneath the deep fawn head this seriously dry near black beer is has a nutty roasted barley, fruit cake and cough sweet aroma and a light-textured but full dry roasty rye bread palate with notes of rooty dry herbs and toasted vine fruit. Hops emerge over the estery swallow, leading to a dry bitter chocolate finish with caramel and pepper. . Overall this is a beer packed with flavour but with the drinkable lightness that comes with being a surprisingly modest 3.5 per cent ABV.

For more smoky beers, see next post.

Read more about this beer at ratebeer.com: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/jolly-brewer-suzannes-stout/87308/