Noir

◎ Appearance

Pours opaque black with minimal light transmission, presenting the hallmark darkness of a well-made dry stout. The head forms dense and persistent, clinging to the glass walls with fine lacing that tracks the decline of each sip. Carbonation is restrained, appropriate to the style's traditional character.

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with dark chocolate and prominent roast character, grounded in the depth of deeply kilned grain. Fresh coffee notes emerge as the beer warms, alongside subtle dark fruit esters that suggest plum and raisin. Hop presence is minimal, as the brewer intended, allowing malt and roast to dominate the olfactory experience.

◐ Taste

Entry is smooth and light-bodied despite the dark grain bill, with coffee and cocoa flavors establishing themselves immediately on the palate. Mid-palate reveals layers of dark fruit—particularly plum—balanced against a gentle roast bitterness that does not overwhelm. The restrained 40 IBU provides structure without harshness, allowing the interplay of malt sweetness and roast to remain the focal point.

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and relatively short, with roast bitterness lingering gently on the tongue without becoming astringent. The aftertaste fades to a dry, slightly mineral quality that encourages another sip.