One of my favorite styles of beer is the Stout. While I’d enjoy just about any stout you gave me, I gravitate towards Oatmeal Stouts. My buddy Noel has a love for Dry Irish Stouts and over the last couple years his enjoyment of this style has taken root in me. I remembered having Black Sun a year ago and thought it was just another extreme stout produced by Three Floyds. For starters, it is extreme, but it is the best American interpretation of an Irish Dry Stout I’ve come across. They did an amazing job brewing this true to style while adding a touch of 3Floyds creativity.

Popping the cap notice a unique hop aroma and emptying the liquid get the deep, dark, roasted/burnt grain notes common in stouts. The pour was like black motor oil which coated the glass and gave me the feeling I was about to enjoy a meal. It has a high viscosity which delayed the head from forming. Eventually, there was a rich, frothy mocha/dark tan head that only added to the attraction of the beer.

It smelled glorious!!! Deep burnt grain, coffee, chocolate, and some licorice notes provided a firm foundation, while the hops produced a very fruity citrus explosion I had never experienced in a stout. There were hints of orange, pineapple, and grapefruit that made a simple dry stout come alive. I did receive a floral piney/woody aroma hidden behind the fruity notes.

The taste was unreal. I liken it to dipping fruit into a chocolate fondue. Yummy and bold it gave me all the classic flavors of a Dry Stout while providing a lighter aroma than most. There was a clean, dry finish with residual chocolate, toffee, and coffee highlights under a citrus zest/tang. The mouthfeel was not as heavy as I expected making this beer smooth, creamy, and easy to drink. It was very well-balanced and possessed character, depth, and complexity.

Quite possibly the best stout I’ve ever had I would strongly encourage you to pick up a bomber.

ABV: 6.5%

Grade: A+