Maine Beer Company Mean Old Tom
Maine Beer Company’s Mean Old Tom really isn’t all that mean. In fact, as far as stouts go, it’s pretty darn nice — convivial even.
The brew is built on a robust, malty foundation of American 2-Row, Chocolate, Roasted Barley, Midnight Wheat, Caramel 40L and Flaked Oats while a combination of US Magnum and Centennial hop varieties represent a touch of bitterness. The beer is then aged with organic vanilla beans for an undisclosed period of time.,/p>
Now, I’ve had some stouts in the past that relied too heavily on the vanilla aspect of their recipe. I like vanilla, but not when it smacks me upside the head. Mean Old Tom uses it in a fashion that is just right for me. As a result, I’ve enjoyed this 6.5% ABV American Stout several times over now.
Appearance
Mean Old Tom pours an opaque, near black with a dark brown head that left behind excellent lacing as it dropped.
Aroma
Dark chocolate, earthy espresso and a distant vanilla combine for an excellent aroma.
Taste
As I had hoped, the vanilla presence rests comfortably in the background, complimenting the full bodied and richly robust brew. It mingles nicely with the dark chocolate, espresso bean and tobacco that lead the way. A low level of hop bitterness lingers nicely in the semi-drying finish. I love the body and earthiness to this stout. It’s right up there in terms of what I personally want out of a beer like this.
Overall
Mean Old Tom may not supplant North Cost’s Old Rasputin as my favorite, easily accessible stout, but I’ll be damned if I won’t store up a stock pile of the tasty brew for the colder months to come. Maine Beer Company have continued to prove they know how to make some really well crafted and tasty brews. Mean Old Tom might just be the best from the company that I have encountered thus far.
Rating: 4.5/5
