The second beer I’d recently purchased was Marston’s Oyster Stout. English in origin, the name’s a bit of a cheat actually as it contains no oysters (An intriguing departure from the standard brewing process whereby a handful of bivalves are thrown into the mix during the boiling stage. They melt away, leaving an accent of their taste for your drinking pleasure.) but it’s meant to be enjoyed with oysters.
Unfortunately, I had none on hand and was in no mood to pop down to the local gastropub for a Malbec or two to test out this pairing. I can only imagine it would go together rather well.
The beer poured with a little brown head and it smells of malt, chocolate and prune. I had it cold which may have contributed to its thinness because it did seemed to linger a bit longer at the end. I haven’t tried any oyster stouts before so I had no means of coming to some half-remembered conclusion of a better stout being out there but I quite enjoyed working my way through this pint.
There was a lovely, creamy taste to it that allowed for some bitterness from the hops. I generally find stouts refreshing (with the exception of those sweet bastards from the Caribbean) and Marston’s was no exception. I think it would go exceptionally well with any number of meals. I had a bit of mine with an ahi tuna steak and some rice and had no complaints.
I wouldn’t go out of by way to seek it out but I’d say Marston’s is an above-average stout (if not as good as some genuine oyster stouts) and I’d drink it if it was put on tap at my local. You can find it at your local LCBO.
