So Sheaf Stout is one of those beers that I’ve seen a lot, but never had. There are several loyal buyers of it at the store, and they’ve sworn that its great.

So I decided to give it a try the other night.

One of the first things I’ve noticed is that (as you might guess a stout would be) its really dark. The photos don’t do it justice, as there is more of a hint of brown around the edges, and its not all just black as night, but it really is very dark.

It pours with only a tiny bit of head, which is a nice, chocolaty color.

There is a distinctly sweet aroma to it, and just a hint of the hops behind it. What I really like about it is that the sweetness carries into the flavor as well.

The mouthfeel isn’t as heavy as you might expect from a stout, especially one this dark, but I find that to be a pleasant thing. The flavor is pleasant, and you can just taste a hint of the alcohol – its only 5.7%.

What I really like is the way the sweetness plays with the nuttiness – especially in the aftertaste.

I got this beer at under $3.50, which is a steal in my book. For a beer of this caliber, as well-balanced and pleasant as this one, I will not turn it away. Seek it out – its not the biggest, baddest stout you’ll ever have, but it certainly is one of the nicest, easiest to drink out there.

7/10