Introduction

For nearly 25 years the Greffs produced craft beer in Ann Arbor, utilizing cultivated materials and techniques that have stayed the same over those decades. Now handed over to Farm + Ferment, Arbor Brewing continues an award winning tradition of bedrock brews and tasty experimentation. New ownership allows Arbor Brewing to grow its own hops and a companion vineyard means available wine barrels for the best aged beers. Their brewpub and eatery is an institution in central Ann Arbor.

Irish Dry Stout is black beer noted for a dry finish resulting from roasted barley. This style tends toward a medium level of bitterness, more so than most stouts, and a creamy body which leavens the roasted flavour, making the taste cut off quicker than more traditional versions. With a low alcohol volume and rich taste, this is an excellent stout to enjoy a few pints worth. Serves well at 10°C and can stand nearly a full calendar in the cellar.

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How it looks

Pours like the classic stout, dark as a stormy night at sea and with minimal carbonation. A frothy head of mocha colour foam bursts out, receding to a cap on top.

How it smells

The roasted barley character comes out strong on first whiff, with solid medium roast coffee tones, dusty dark chocolate, malty caramel, and a touch of warm vanilla in the background. A hint of dark cherries plays along the edge of the profile.

How it tastes

Pour and let it warm up a bit in order to really draw out the medium roast coffee character in this stout. The flavour really moves and evolves, hinting at the dark cherries from the scent and the vanilla tones in the backend. The dry finish will cut off the taste, so let yourself have a few different mouthfuls and let your palette explore. The low ABV also means there’s nothing boozy about this stout, just a creamy and smooth body that opens up quickly and finishes with a bang.

Recommended food pairing

Stouts often go well with sweet confections and rich pastries, but Faricy’s tends toward a flatter sweetness and more bitter finish. Dig into a piping hot and creamy chicken pot pie with fresh peas and red onions.