Coopers Best Extra Stout:
Once again, Hello all.  Today we continue our stateside availability of the best Australian beer, Coopers, and their Best Extra Stout.   To let it be known,  I have a soft spot for stouts, mainly for their versatility in the kitchen and their complex tastes as well as their varied glassware styles.  The first time I ever learned about beer mixing with something besides a glass was with a Guinness ice cream shake and if you’ve never had one, you’re missing something great in life.  Coopers Best Stout is one that could easily replace Guinness in that magical shake and amp up the flavor potential without even getting creative on the additions to the shake (I like a splash of coffee and chocolate syrup to accompany the Blue Bell Homestyle Vanilla). The beer pours well though the ice cold glass caused the beer’s head to stick around quite a while but it’s coca coloring is nice contrast to the almost black brew below. The beer is very flavorful with a but of a malty kick a the front end that quickly moves to the standard chocolate notes that most stouts have as well as the coffee undertones and, surprisingly, a touch of fruits.  The after taste is smooth though very dry and it does tend to linger longer than a Guinness would and that’s my biggest complaint about this beer which is splitting hairs at this point. Really good, will be getting a couple more to add the pantry for future cooking use and maybe, just maybe, drinking.