This fall, Crux Fermentation Project reintroduced its Crux Stout into retail packaging, in the 16-ounce can format. Crux Stout is the brewery’s original American stout, which was released in bottles when Crux starting packaging, but for whatever reason the bottled format didn’t sell well with consumers (likely because it was at the time when cans were overtaking bottles in popularity).

I haven’t heard how well the cans are selling, though I’m willing to bet that the figures are better than before; the packaging looks really sharp, in my opinion. Crux had provided me with a can to sample, so I got a chance to revisit the beer.

The “style” the brewery attaches to this beer is “A Not-So-Rainy Day Stout” and that’s apt for this time of year, although I’m thinking more in terms of cooler weather and (now) snow. It’s one to check out to pair with the season.

It’s 7.7% with 60 IBUs, and the description says:

Stouts have a rich, deep and dark history— dating back over 400 years in Europe as a strong porter. Well, forget all that. Yes— this stout is classically dark, but close your eyes and take a sip. You’ll likely be surprised by how easy it is on the palate with notes of caramel, chocolate and roasted coffee driven by a wonderfully nuanced blend of dark crystal, black, roasted and chocolate malt. You won’t have the patience to save this one for a rainy day.

Appearance: Black and opaque, with a light brown head that’s fluffy and lacy, and a touch rocky.

Smell: Deeply roasty with some bitter dark chocolate, and tree bark. Touch of licorice, wood char, black malts with a rich dry roast character.

Taste: Bitter and roasty with a big kick of dark coffee, roasted barley, and slightly charred black malt (Black Patent). Really quite roasty… burnt toast, hint of charred roasted marshmallow skin, good dry bite. Good malts that get slightly overwhelmed with the bitter roastiness.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with a long, dry and almost burnt finish.

Overall: It’s good, but needs to dial back the roast a bit to my palate. Otherwise, this is a nice fall and cold weather brew.