Downtown St. John’s, where the Rock really rocks. With all the bars, bistros, pubs, public houses, taverns and trattorias from which to choose, what’s a simple mainlander like myself to do?* I have one word for you. Or is it two words? Ok, it’s two words but together they form one word I think, and that word is YellowBelly.**
I said yes.
A historic building with a great atmosphere and an interesting selection of brews. I took some friendly advice from the 6 foot high poster on the wall and said yes to an SJS. As far as an accompaniment with my St. John’s Stout, the cooking staff flexed their mussels for me and I was duly impressed.
A dark foreboding signal hill storm and stout brewing midnight pour, A creamy tan tide of a head topside. A classy and classic pour. Roasted malt aroma, no sweet or espresso present. The first taste is a strong roast malt, no real sweet to it, and a bit of a caffeine bite. But there is more to it than that, it’s complex. There are some different flavours happening here, some fruit maybe? No surprise, it does have a creamy mouthfeel.
It evolved into a mellower roast malt body with minimal cocoa with an espresso finale. From a touch harsh to smooth as silk in a series of simple sips. The inevitable comparison, a bit more bite than a Guinness but similar mouthfeel, and minimal cocoa like a Guinness. Not a rookie stout (maybe there is no such thing) but definitely a stout lover’s stout.
Too many times I have said yes and regretted it, but not this time.
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