Bought on a Thursday, opened on the Friday, draft into a straight half. Near black, with a tan head that holds for a minute and then settles into a collar.
The maris otter / roast / flaked oat bill carries the structure and Magnum does the seasoning. At 12.4% and 45 IBU it sits where the style should, and 3 Sons Brewing have resisted the urge to push it anywhere else.
The aroma writes a cheque the palate very nearly cashes. What arrives is drier and quieter than the nose promises, and while the finish is clean, a point of the score disappears into the gap between the two.
At 12.4% this is a one-glass beer whatever the label suggests, and it warms up faster than it drinks. Twenty minutes in, the Magnum has receded and what is left is sweeter, rounder and considerably less interesting. Drink it over an hour or share it.
The barrel is doing real work here rather than decorating the label. Oak tannin frames the finish, and the spirit character sits underneath the beer instead of on top of it, which is the difference between an aged beer and a flavoured one.
Beers like this are why the stout section of this site exists at all. 3 Sons Brewing have been making it for long enough that the consistency is no longer surprising, which does nothing to make it less impressive. If you are anywhere near Dania Beach, FL, go and buy it from the source.
Bought at Brewery only (allocation at the time of writing). Two people, one bottle, small glasses. Let it come up to 14°C.
If you see it, buy it. Buy the second one for the person who does not believe you.
