Robin Shepard
Despite what you may think, the name Three Feet Deep refers not to the local weather but to the deep sections of peat chunks that are commonly harvested for fire fuel.
Looking for a big, dark, warm beer to take the chill off a snowy day? Furthermore Beer's Three Feet Deep will melt your cares away.
Style: Three Feet Deep is an Irish Stout with peat-smoked malt. The "Irish-style" stout, commonly referred to as a dry stout, is a dark beer with malty qualities but a dry finish. While the dryness may bring out some bitterness, this beer is not overly hoppy. The dryness may also accentuate some burnt tones imparted by the deeply roasted, dark malts that are used in making the beer. Despite its dark color, the dry Irish stout should be medium to light bodied.
Background: This is a year-round beer for Furthermore. Company co-owner Aran Madden was looking for a distinctive dry stout, so he developed this recipe using barley roasted in part by burning peat, creating additional smoky flavors in the beer. Madden's mother is from Ireland's County Cork, and this beer pays tribute to his childhood memories of the smell of burning peat in the family's fireplace.
Despite what you may think, the name Three Feet Deep refers not to the local weather but to the deep sections of peat chunks that are commonly harvested for fire fuel. Peat is formed in wetland areas from decayed vegetation.
Tasting notes:
- Aroma: Roasted, light smokiness.
- Appearance: Very dark black, looks thick. A marbled brown head.
- Texture: Medium to full-bodied and soft texture.
- Taste: Begins with a sweet chocolate malty body, and transitions to a smooth smoky background accented by a firm, yet mild, dryness.
- Finish/Aftertaste: Malty, roasted and a light lingering warmth.
Glassware: The Shaker pint will bring attention to this beer's deep rich dark color and thick, viscous body.
Pairs well with: A well-rounded food beer that goes with many things, especially seafood. Distinctive flavors like those found in mussels, oysters and lobster make for wonderful companions to this beer, especially due to the combination of sweet and smoky tones.
Three Bottle Openers.
(I am using a one to four bottle opener scale: four is a great beer, distinctive, you'll have this over others; three is a beer you enjoy, reliable, close to its described style; two is problematic, lacks distinction, but worth having again; one is a beer that isn't true to its style, you would not recommend it to a friend.)
The Consensus: B (good) from Beer Advocate and an 84 from
