Spiteful G.F.Y. Stout

Beer:  G.F.Y. Stout (GFY)

Brewery:  Spiteful Brewing

Date:  January 25th, 2014

Style: Imperial Stout

ABV:  8.0%

Similar To:  Central Waters Brewhouse Coffee Stout, North Coast Old Rasputin

Description:
As long as I've been enjoying beer, I've had a soft spot for stouts.  From Guinness Extra Stout, one of the first beers I tried, to the almost innumerable varieties of barrel-aged stouts I've tried more recently, the style evokes a great sentimentality in me and reminds me of why I enjoy beer so much.  It's with this long, fond history that I tend to be rather critical of any stout that I try, which is why I feel quite excited to share my enthusiasm about one that I enjoyed.  In Part II of my recap from January's Spiteful Tasting extravaganza (read Part I here), I review Spiteful's take on the Imperial Stout, G.F.Y.

First Impression:
As with all of Spiteful's beers, the label art catches your eye.  I've never embraced product mascots, but I admit harboring a soft spot for GFY's none-too-cuddlesome figurehead, Abrasive Bear, pictured above.  The beer itself pours black with a lingering finger-thick mocha head.

Smell:
Dark, bittersweet chocolate, lots of roasted, almost smoky, malt, and also some coffee in the background.

Taste:
Compelling blend of chocolate and roasted grain, with a good hop finish, despite not being a prominent part of the aroma.  Also some hints of coffee and caramel.  Very nicely balanced, a good combination of flavors without any single overwhelming characteristic.

On the Palate:
Medium thickness, somewhat thinner than I expected for a stout, with little carbonation.  Surprisingly smooth and little alcohol finish for 8% ABV.

Why You'll like It:
A solid, non gimmicky example of what a stout should taste like.  The balance gives it a broad appeal to anyone who enjoys this style. 

...and why You won't:
Doesn't try to complete with all of the specialist stouts currently on the market.  If you're looking for a beer that's strongly weighted towards one end of the taste spectrum or the other, for example a strong coffee or sweet chocolate stout, there are choices that will probably make you happier.

In Closing...:
GFY was the second Spiteful stout that I tried that evening, and though both had their merits, I felt that this was the more well-executed of the two.  Would definitley enjoy it again. 

Rating: 3 1/2 Stars (out of 5)

Most of the evening's lineup, prior to their demise.  GFY is 3rd from the left.