Half Pints’ Dave has a very punk attitude to life. And to beer. Relaxed,generous, self-confident, good humoured, a bit irreverent and not afraid to be in your face if the moment requires it. And he proves it time and time again with his impressive line of beer, which seems to reflect his personality.

So when he started getting flack from what he calls the “beer knurds” because his St. James Pale Ale (which is a marvelous example of a Kolsch, by the way – and not available outside Manitoba) started selling like windbreakers on Portage and Main, he shot back by producing one of the most intense beer you can think of making – an stout aged in oak-barrels for SIX MONTHS! And just to make his point clear he called it $ellout $tout. This was back in 2009 and was a lovely little act of nose-thumbing at those who lose perspective as they peer at the world through their beer geek glasses. Message delivered.

But then lo and behold, he did it again in 2010. And this time a (VERY) small parcel of it made it out to Alberta. I was able to get my hands on a couple bottles and after a few days of debating immediate gratification vs. cellaring, decided to sacrifice one bottle right away – for research purposes, of course.

It presents thick and black with a firm, tight tan head that persists like a protester at a sit-in. The aroma brings sweet vanilla and raisin, some plum and wood silkiness. There is also whiskey and some sugar-i-ness.

The flavour is rich and complex. The first taste is of sweet coffee and vanilla, with accents of raisin, plum and date. I also get Turkish coffee and burnt toffee. Whiskey appears in the middle with a moderate earthy wood character. Finish has a blend of dark roast, alcohol and sharp grainy bitterness. Hops are present throughout but hang around backstage.

I love the complexity and fullness of this beer, very satisfying. It takes time to work through the bottle as it requires slow sipping and demands attention. Once again I am amazed at how the stout roastiness mellows and the other malt character comes out. Not unlike the Single Star I reviewed earlier (see here).

It is a good thing Half Pints sold out or else we would never have seen this remarkable beer.