The Swill: Starry Night Stout
The Still: Island Brewing Company
Carpenteria, California
http://www.islandbrewingcompany.com/
The Drill: English/Irish Stout, 22oz bottle, 7.0% ABV
The Spill: Like so many foreign-style stouts, the bold look of the beer belies its flavor. It pours out of the bottle black and opaque, with a brown head on top. However, any kinship to a big beer ends pretty much then and there. The nose is dark, earthy, and somewhat metallic, a trait this drinker has often noticed in English beers. The taste begins alright, with a deep roasted front and a bit of molasses, but it quickly sours around the sides of the tongue, and is too weak for a big finish.
Says Bill: One good thing about this beer is that I enjoyed it on tap as part of my 31st birthday present. Holly surprised me with a beer tour around Santa Barbara, courtesy of Captain Jack's Tour Company, a local outfit that offers everything from beer and wine tours to ocean kayaking. Our guide Marcus, a native Oregonian, enjoyed the beer talk as we both extolled the virtues of one of our favorite breweries, Deschutes, located in the city of Bend. He was great, the girl behind the bar at Island was kind and informative, and Holly also bought me my current favorite t-shirt there. If you've seen me more than twice since February 1st, you've probably seen me wearing it.
Refill?: I'd take a pass, though it was my favorite brew there. To your right is the beer graph I drew up--or drank up, if you prefer--at Island, where less beer in the glass equals more enjoyment. For this one, I'd give it 2 taps out of 5.