When I ordered the Two Fisted Stout, I didn't realize that it was an Amsterdam Brewery product. It was a "guest tap" at a local pub and the name sounded cool, so I decided to give it a whirl. In fact, I didn't find out until days later that Amsterdam was the responsible party. This is noteworthy, because I haven't found myself terribly impressed with Amsterdam's products. The ones I've tried are all drinkable and modestly enjoyable, but none of them has shown a lot of character. Therefore, this was as close to a blind taste test as one of their beers is apt to get on my blog.
The Two Fisted Shout pours a dark colour with faint reddish highlights when held to the light. There is a modest amount of dark tan head, though not a lot of lace. The aroma is that of roasted nuts. It is toasty and slightly smokey. According to the Amsterdam website, the TFS measures in at 4.3%.
The beer has an oddly thin mouthfeel for a stout. Unlike many stouts, this one is not thick and creamy. In short, it doesn't drink like a meal. The flavour has the requisite molasses taste, but also a slight smokiness that feels a bit out of place. Still, none of these elements are unpleasant. In fact, were they the only constituent elements, this beer would get a considerably higher rating as a unique variation of the stout format. The problem is the aftertaste. It is disagreeably sour. This is not what I am looking for in a stout. I want something that finishes smoothly and sticks around for breakfast. Assuming that the keg I sampled from wasn't skunky and was actually representative of the TFS, this brew needs to take some aftertaste lessons.
Still, all told, Amsterdam has exceeded my expectations by creating a beer that takes some risks. I appreciate that. It's a stout with a lot of flavour and probably worth a shot. I would try it again if the opportunity presented itself.
Rating: 7.0 out of 10.
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