United Nations of Beer

Stir Stick stout

by Rory Burnett
(MB, Canada)

Stir Stick Stout (5.6% ABV)
Half Pints Brewing, MB, Canada

The other day I found myself wandering the aisles of my local beer emporium with no idea of what I wanted. Up and down I walked, muttering to myself.

"Lambic ale? Too fruity. Maybe Mexican? Too cold outside."

I had settled for my usual domestic and was in line at the checkout, when a large brown bottle in the last chance cooler by the till caught my jaded eye. The beer was Stir Stick Stout, made by a new micro brewery, Half Pints. I have always enjoyed a hearty stout in winter, so I took a chance and purchased a bottle.

The beer was already chilled so when I returned home I immediatly poured it into a pint glass... Well, most of it anyway. Half Pints Stir Stick Stout comes in a 660ml Bottle!

Colour is dark, dark brown with a bubbly beige head. Carbonation was big (No nitrogen micro- bubbles here!) and a careful pour was necessary so as not to produce too much head.

The first sip was a revelation. Dark chocolate and a fair dose of coffee. Absolutely fantastic! As a stout goes this beer was not overly bitter, but refreshing and crisp with the chocolate and coming through in the finish and a slightly nutty aftertaste.

Half Pints uses Ethiopian Yirgacheffe coffee beans and the flavour is out of this world! My only regret about buying this beer was that I bought only one... Never fear, it was a mistake that was soon rectified and each additional purchase was just as fine as the first.

Half Pints puts out a consistent quality product and has a whole line of microbrews that it will certainly be my pleasure to review in the future.

Identifiable flavours: Coffee, Dark chocolate, nutty finish
Serve with: Steaks, BBQ, or desserts like black forest cake
Hangover factor: Although a strong-ish beer, it's a little heavy for rapid consumption and better for relaxing after work than getting bombed.