Okoboji Brewing Winter Games Select 32 Stout

The Okoboji Brewing Company is a new brewpub getting up and running in Spirit Lake, Iowa. They have already released some canned beers that are contract brewed for them (Boji Craft Beers) by the Great River Brewery in Davenport, Iowa. This 5.75%  ABV beer is a special limited-run release commemorating the XXXII Winter Games of the (fictitious) University of Okoboji. It is  brewed with star anise.

It is International Stout Day, so I thought I would have this stout. Who declares it to be a certain beer style day anyway? Who gave YOU the authority to tell me what to drink? Oh, wait, it's a beer, I'll drink it.

The beer pours coal black with a large, foamy light brown head. The aroma is predominantly the black licorice aroma of the star anise. There is also some very dark roasted coffee notes. The taste is very dark roasted malt, coffee, a tangy note and star anise. The star anise blends better with the flavor than with the aroma. It is well carbonated, tingling on the tongue. The body is extremely light. There is a lingering aftertaste of black licorice.