drunken sailors

The universe just likes to have fun with us puny humans I guess; when it was colder I picked up perky ales, and now that I have my beloved stout it's nearly spring-like.  But, I've said many a time that I'm always up for a black beer.  Naparbier has done quite a few pleasing beers, of many styles, so I feel confident that Potemkin will be enjoyable.  It's Russian Imperial Stout, naturally.  I just hope it doesn't cause any sort of gut fauna revolution.

At least there won't be any icebergs

Now that's a proper stout, right there.  It's just black all the way through, and even the head is a sort of milk chocolatey color.  It's not especially aromatic, with just a whiff of toastiness.  The smoke in the flavor hits you right in the taste buds.  It's immediately bitter, black coffee bitter, unrelenting.  There isn't the slightest hint of sweetness in it, it's a beer that sits firmly and unmoving in its somberness.  There's something almost medicinal in that level of unsweet, like leafy salad greens full of vitamins and sorely lacking in sugars.  The flavor is also constant, not diminishing or developing a little syrupy sweetness on the way to the bottom of the glass.  Maybe it's not the beer for everyone - the bitterness is quite strong and it's a little bit heavy - but for those of us who favor a fine stout, Potemkin sinks the competition.

Supplier: The Beer Garden
Price: €4