Dark O' The Moon

Seattle’s Dick Cantwell has been a mainstay on the brewing scene for more than two decades and opened his own operation, Elysian Brewing, in 1996. Since then, Elysian has earned its avid following, producing wickedly good ales, and the occasional lager. The seasonal Dark O’ The Moon is a lightly hopped, roasty, slightly coffee-ish pumpkin stout. With a touch of smoke layered among notes of toffee, espresso, and cacao nibs, the nose leaves no doubt you’re drinking a stout. Pete picked out some alcohol wending its way among the semisweet chocolate and French roast coffee notes. He also noted a “slightly distracting touch of sourness” that seemed out of place. A “gentle, warming gingerbread/molasses” aroma caught Rick’s attention, and he was greatly impressed by the nose’s overall complexity. Deep, black, opaque and crowned by a long lasting tan head, this is the archetypal stout. No light escapes from this beer. True to its stout roots, Dark O’ The Moon is flush with robust flavors of coffee, dark caramel and hints of wood smoke. Tim liked the beer’s complexity and appreciated the rich, roast pumpkin notes peeking through the malt. Yet, he felt the pumpkin “played a supporting role, but needed to take the lead.” Of the plethora of pumpkin-based brews available each fall, Dark O’ The Moon should be one chosen to grace a beer cellar.