I realise that Clibit. I've always found stouts to be quite drinkable from straight after bottling, though they do get even better as they mature. It's been 2 months since I started the brew though, just not long in the barrel / bottle. I'll probably get through the 4 gallons I barreled quite quickly, but the 8 bottles I'll keep til later in the year. be interesting to compare the two.
