Cheeky Bastard Stout

With a twirled mustachio, square jaw, dapper dress, and smug grin, the lad on the 473mL cans of Nickel Brook Brewing Co.’s Cheeky Bastard Stout is definitely an appropriate choice. The Burlington, Ontario beer contains a light and approachable 4.5% alcohol, but a pretty decent 35 IBUs.

A darkest brown ale, Cheeky Bastard pours with a thick blanket of tan head that fades pretty quickly. It has a fairly sweet nose, with malt and mocha notes leading the way. With a flavour that tends toward chocolate and latte, CB displays a smooth and soft mouthfeel.

I’m interested in session-friendly stouts, and that’s an area I’ve found wanting in the Ontario craft brewing scene. Nickel Brook’s Cheeky Bastard is a pretty good addition to an underpopulated category. However, it should be said that the beer is a bit too sweet to invite multiple cans in a single evening.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10.