Steph’s New Brew Review: Black River Gumbo Stout

Peace Tree Brewing Company Black River Gumbo Stout, a 5.5% ABV Stout

Appearance	Black in color, fluffy tan head.
Aroma	Dark roasted malts, bitter chocolate, dark fruits.
Taste	Dark roasted malts, bitter chocolate, raisin, brown sugar.
Mouthfeel	Creamy, but lighter bodied than expected.
Overall	Complex flavors and low ABV – great combination!

Peace Tree Brewing Company opened in March 2010 in a former car dealership in Knoxville, Iowa.

Head brewmaster Joe Kesteloot brings years of professional and home brewing experience and a true passion and creativity for developing unique beers.

Kesteloot brews in 20-barrel brewhouse with four 40-barrel fermenters, two 20-barrel and two 40-barrel tanks. Peace Tree distributes across the state of Iowa, as well as parts of Nebraska and Minnesota.

The brewery is named after a historic 500 year old grand sycamore that was located near the town of Red Rock under what is now Lake Red Rock today. The tree was estimated to be the second largest in America and was a place where Native Americans met for generations.

Black River Gumbo Stout debuted at Peace Tree Brewing Company in December 2010. The dark brew was named after the gumbo dirt of the Des Moines River bottom which nourished the Peace Tree and is now used as the surface for Knoxville’s famous Sprint Car track.

Instead of using traditional ale yeast to ferment this stout, a Belgian yeast was used to add complexity. High quality pale malt, three roasted malts, and two caramel malts were used to create the dark color and character of this beer.

The dark roasted caramel malts offer chocolate and toffee characteristics, and the use of three varieties of hops contribute to the bitterness and aromas of this beer.

Thanks Nicholas Schoenfelder!

Wanna pick this one up? Click here to see where to find Peace Tree Brewing Company beers.
Check out… this video from Peace Tree Brewing Company when they celebrated 5 years!