Dock Street Brewing Co.
Philadelphia, PA
Available: PA
The third release from Dock Street’s small-but-growing barrel aging program. This beer was aged in Pinot Noir barrels for 11 months before being hand-bottled for bottle conditioning.
ABV: 9.0
ABW: 7.2
Color: pitch black
Bitterness: 65
Original gravity: 1096
Nothing like cuddling up to something tall, dark and handsome on a long night, and the Prince certainly fits that bill, pouring a deep near-black with a faint, espresso-foam head. Aromas of bitter baker's chocolate and roasted coffee rise to the nose with touches of blackberry and brown sugar coming into play. At first sip, the Prince comes across a bit bitter, with a burnt, nearly acrid flavor mingling with bitter chocolate and caramelized sugar. The body is a bit thin for such a strapping stout style, but the alcohol warming makes up for it. Perhaps the Prince isn't Mr. Right, but it could be Mr. Right Now.
There’s a load going on here. Aging in wine-casks has produced a stout packed to the rafters with flavor. Combine any of the following and you’ll have a feeling for what’s heading for your glass: chocolate, coffee, polished leather, cedary wood, vanilla, a hint of coconut, zesty orange citrus notes and a peppery alcoholic warmth. The only trouble is that it’s all a bit in-your-face. I think this has the makings of a great beer, but it needs time to fall into harmony. If only I had another bottle to lay down for a year!
Lisa Morrison, aka The Beer Goddess, writes about beer whenever she can and also gets to talk about it on a weekly radio show in her hometown of Portland, OR.
Author of the Good Bottled Beer Guide and The Book of Beer Knowledge, Jeff Evans is an eight-time editor of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide and one of Britain's best-known beer writers.
