Yankee Brew News Archive

Yankee Brew Review: A Stout with Complexity

Originally Published: 08/96

By: Gregg Glaser

Beer: Donovan's Dry Stout

Brewer: Keith Symonds, New England Brewing Company, Norwalk, CT

Appearance: Black, but not opaque, with a light tan, creamy head.

Aroma: The unique New England Brewing yeast character carries through. The roasted barley also stands out, much like it does in the brewery's Oatmeal Stout.

Taste: The yeast byproducts lend a distinctive quality that permeates this beer, as well as all of the brewery's dark beers. Dry in the finish, with a tartness in the middle. It has the thin body of a true draft stout.

Summary: Much more complex than if it were pretending to be in the style of a Guinness. The yeast strain and hops combine to add another level of complexity.

Brewer's Notes: Brewed with pale, crystal, wheat, black and chocolate malts, unmalted roasted barley and 3.5% German sour malt; Northern Brewer and Willamette hops for bittering and Willamette hops for flavor; 10.5 degrees Plato; 4% ABV.