SAVE THE OYSTERS, DRINK A PEARL NECKLACE

Pearl Necklace Oyster Stout

Flying Dog Brewery, Frederick, MD. /5.5% ABV

I have always been under the misconception that certain beers were meant to be drunk at certain times of the year.   In the summer when temperatures reach into the 80’s and 90’s we all seem to reach for a good IPA or a fruit flavored Wit beer for refreshment.  Porter’s and Stout’s are dark, heavy beers that most of us believe we should drink on a cold winter day with snow on the ground outside and a crackling warm fire in the fireplace.  Of course, Pumpkin Ale’s and Oktoberfest beers were only consumed in the fall between the months of September and November.  This sounds about right, doesn’t it?  I am not sure who may have laid down these beer drinking rules, but starting right now you should crumble them up and throw them right into that fireplace.

You see, I was deceived by these rules even as I browsed the isles of beer looking for a summer sampler.  After browsing for several minutes I decided on a case of Flying Dog.  They brew good beer so I knew I was safe without really looking carefully at the four beers that were packaged in this summer sampler.  I saw Belgian IPA and Pale Ale so I knew I was good.  However when I got home I realized that I failed to see the Pearl Necklace Oyster Stout on the label of the case.  I thought Oyster Stout, who puts Stout’s in a summer sampler and is this really made with oysters?

As I read the label it became very clear, yes it is made with real oysters.  In fact it is made with Rappahannock River Oysters which many believe are the best oysters in the world to eat.  You see the Rappahannock River empties into the Chesapeake Bay and right where the fresh water meets the salt water is a virtual paradise of minerals and nutrients for oysters.  This is why these oysters are hearty in size and rich in flavor.  The question is, how will they taste in a beer?

THE REVIEW

 

Sight:  As I poured my Pearl Necklace Oyster Stout I quickly noticed that this is a really dark beer.  It has a nice deep rich chocolate color from top to bottom along with a heavy kahki colored head.  When you hold it up to the light you cannot see through the entire glass.  The full head fills the glass all around but does not seem to lace the sides as it drops away quickly.  I am now really intrigued.

   

Aroma:  Like many Stouts, this beer has a nice aroma of chocolate and caramel that blends well with the regular beer scent.  I was very surprised to find that I did not catch a whiff of oysters or that fishy salt water smell.  Now I have to taste this.

Taste:  I am somewhat hesitant to taste this beer, but the sight and aroma has me way too curious not to.  My first sip was tentative, but boy is this good.  A smooth beer flavor with strong back notes of chocolate along with hints of caramel.  You may even catch a very slight hint of black licorice.  As these flavors subside, you will get a very slight hint of saltiness on your tongue and in the back of your throat.  Also, it is not as heavy as most Stouts.  Now I know why Flying Dog put this in their summer sampler.        

Flying Dog Brewing Company has a summer hit with its Pearl Necklace Oyster Stout.  I recommend that you throw away those beer drinking rules and crack one open.  In fact for every bottle of Pearl Necklace Flying Dog sells, the Oyster Recovery Partnership will plant 10 oysters in the Chesapeake Bay.  By buying this sampler pack I just got 60 oysters planted.  Who would have thought that drinking beer could help increase the oyster population?  I would pair Oyster Stout with a nice lobster tail, shrimp scampi and of course a plate full of Rappahannock River Oysters. 

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5= Outstanding

4= Very Good

3= Good

2=Fair

1=Skunk

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