Style: American Stout

ABV: 6.3

92/100

Aroma:	12
Appearance:	3
Flavor:	18
Mouthfeel:	3

Avery Brewing Company Out of Bounds

What the brewers say

“We aren’t afraid to use plenty of rich roasted barley and a mountain of hops to give this full-bodied stout that little extra something you’ve been looking for in a beer.”

What our panel thought

Aroma: “Toasty malt and chocolate. Bread crust. Big piney and slightly minty hops profile. Medium dark roast supports from beneath. Malt sweetness. Moderate roast note with a hoppy quality, a light chocolate. A light aroma even after it has warmed up.”

Flavor: “Sweet toasty and chocolate malt fades into assertive bitterness and acidity from the dark malt. Well-blended roast and hops! The piney and minty hops notes along with the bitterness work very well with the chocolate and dark roast from the malt bill. The body is medium-dry throughout, which helps the hops shine instead of overwhelming them with sweetness. Some citrus notes. The finish is slightly dry.”

Overall: “Very well balanced. Very drinkable and enjoyable. The roast was present, the hops came through, and both added some complexity to this beer. Light fruity note with a pear aftertaste, neat. Lingering bitterness is pleasant and makes you want to take another sip.”

What our editors thought

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How We Review

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Arizona Wilderness Brewing American Presidential Stout

“Enticing pepper aroma, chocolate notes suggest a molé complexity. The flavors are a balanced blend of cocoa on top of peppers, without much overt heat. Very approachable, with light spiciness lingering in the aftertaste.”

Firestone Walker Brewing Company Velvet Merlin

**Aroma:** “Some chocolate with a back of roastiness that is both sweet and earthy. Dried cherry esters are in the background. There is an oatmeal sweetness on the nose (sweet oats). Light touch of alcohol, but complementary.” **Flavor:** “Moderately sweet up front that fades into a moderate bitterness. Beautiful mouthfeel and medium-to-full body from the oats with a creaminess that coats the tongue and lingers into the finish. Medium sweetness with roasted and earthy complexities and some cherry notes. This beer has a nice smoothness that flows through the taste.” **Overall:** “The full satisfying body that isn’t sweet makes this very easy to drink. Toasted malt, chocolate, and dark fruit esters add a great complexity. The creaminess was nice, and the malt body showed the roast sweetness and roast bitterness. The aftertaste showed a sensitive balance of chocolate and coffee.

Pelican Pub & Brewery Tsunami Stout

**Aroma:** “Moderately strong roasted malt that comes across as coffee and chocolate. Complex mix of toasty and rich malt support it. Strong dark stone-fruit esters blend well with dark roasted malt. Banana esters as well. Slight molasses.” **Flavor:** “Awesome malt complexity with chocolate, coffee, bread crust, toast. Moderately sweet up front that fades into an assertive bitterness with a hint of acidity. Somewhat dry finish with a light chocolate and roastiness that lingers. A fun blend of chocolate and banana with some underlying cherry notes. Medium-heavy body and medium-high carbonation. Big roast notes with a moderate smoke note that extends into the aftertaste. A slight herbal spice note at the end of the sip. The roast and carb dry out the beer.” **Overall:** “Great malt complexity with chocolate, coffee, and toast. Full body supports the malt and makes this really fun to drink. The bitter dry finish helps scrub that palate and prepare you for another sip. Every sip is just as impactful as the first. I love the chocolate-banana milkshake that this tastes like.”

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