Straight from Carlow County Ireland to my glass. O’Hara’s even gives me quaffing instructions on the can. Chill, Pull, Pour, Pause, Enjoy. The pause is an important part of the experience because these nitro “draft” stouts use what they call widget technology so we can experience the same cascading effect and smooth creamy head as a draught pour. I wish I took a video instead of a picture, the way the creamy glassful slowly morphs into a dark stout with a full tan head is a beautiful thing, and we aren’t talking about a Harvey’s burger here.
Opening the can (the pull) results in a big nitro pop, not a pfft or a psst but a POP. At first I thought my knee had gone out again. A slow pour (the pour, of course) of thick dark stout results in a glass full of light tan cream which gives you pause, and so you pause (the pause) in return. The cream begins to climb, cascade up, morphing into a dark stout brew with a regal Irish* tan head, creating a certain amount of anticipation on my part in the process. I was mesmerized.
Now to the “enjoy” part of the instructions. A full flavour aroma, and a nice smooth and flavourful first swig. Delicious. Some bitters that come and go, sometimes a slight bitter finish, sometimes notes of a light chocolate finish. The evolution of the finish may have something to do with the taste evolving as the chill melted away a bit? Or perhaps due to the 5 malt varieties and number of hop styles used?
A traditional and very enjoyable Irish stout. I have resisted up until now comparing it to a Guinness but this relatively new brewery (1996) and their brand new Nitro stout offering is right up there with the big G. I am looking forward to sampling other O’Hara offerings. Well done and done well.
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