I didn't do anything fancy with this stout, it's basic. I used 6 pounds of dark liquid malt extract, 5 oz. chocolate malt, and 3 oz. of carmel malt. The grains I used was 4 oz of roasted barley and 3 oz. of specialy barley grains. I added a teaspoon of gypsum, 1 oz of chinook hops.

The taste reminded me of mixture between a porter and a stout. It was more malty for my taste and smokey. The roasted coffee flavors were very mild and as for any cocoa taste, that was stronger than I expect. I expected the coffee flavors to come through more than the cocoa flavors. I wasn't thrilled with the taste outcome but it wasn't something I'd dump out or not offer friends.

Well, back to experimenting. My next projects are going to be a Cherry IPA and a Double Gourd Ale (possibly pumpkin and butternut squash). 

Cooper’s Cave Sagamore Stout

Cooper’s Cave Ale Company, Glens Falls, NY

Glass: Nonic

The Pour: Pours a two-finger thick and tan/yellow head with large bubbles. The head dissipated quickly but the tan-colored lace left behind is large with pock mark residue left on the glass from the spent bubbles. However, the residual lace disappears with each sip afterwards.


Color: Pitch black. Non-translucent. Traditional stout appearance.

Aroma: The aroma of this stout is different. It's dominated by a musty and dusty scent, likened to an old cellar. However, there are the typical English Stout aromas present such as toffee, coffee, dark chocolate, and smokiness (each very slight but noticeable).

Taste: Light roasted coffee is the dominate taste with underlying dark chocolate (60-75% cocoa in terms of dark chocolate) and toffee flavors. Thankfully, the musty and dusty aroma isn't present in the taste.

Palate: The aftertaste doesn’t roll across each taste sense across the palate. Bitterness and sourness is basically the palate along with aftertaste of smoky light-roasted coffee beans. There isn’t much difference from the taste to the palate. This stout is thin and watery, which makes it smooth. The carbonation is light, adding to the smoothness. It’s drinkable but doesn’t turn your head from overwhelming tastes of bitterness or dark roasted flavors.