TROOPER Fear of the Dark by Robinsons Brewery is being evaluated as a traditional Irish Stout (2015 BJCP Category 15B). It pours inky black with a deep brown head that’s quite persistent. Due to its color, it’s opaque.

The upfront dry toast, bittersweet chocolate and slight roasty tang eventually gave way to moderate floral hops in the nose. Fruity esters from fermentation are mostly absent, however.

The flavor mostly follows that of the aroma with dominating malt: strong biscuit, scone-like, moderate caramel and intense bittersweet chocolate with dark roasted coffee. Well attenuated with a dry finish. Fermentation was quite clean with only restrained cherry esters as it warmed. Hop bitterness was moderately low but came across as higher mainly due to the bitterness that the roasted malt contributes. As a result, there’s also a bit of astringency to the beer.

If you’re a fan of intensely roasty beers that display a range of roasted malt flavors, then Fear of the Dark is your port of call. Being inky, dark, and rich, even the dark corner of a local bar will appear well lit.