Stone Brewing Co. - Espresso Imperial Russian Stout

Enjoyed on Draft at a local watering hole.
As expected, this stout is espresso black, with a short lived tan head that recedes to a thin oily cap. It's like a black hole in a glass, which entertains the question, "who's consuming who?"
The aroma is unmistakable - dark roast coffee. First sip is a bold shock to the taste buds. I'm talking French Roast with a sunburn bold. This stout certainly doesn't waste any time making an impression. Rich espresso flavors - with hints of toasted malts and dark chocolate. There is a smokey bitterness to this brew, which is best expained as an attractive lack of sweetness. This isn't the Caramel Macchiato of Imperial Stouts. This is the raw bold espresso lovers stout, complete with a ring of crema-like froth that flares after every sip. These bold coffee notes sit heavy on the pallet, and are complimented by a long chaulky dark chocolate finish. A boozy warmth is steadily apparent throughout enjoyment, but is minimal considering this brews 11% ABV.
I really enjoyed this offering from Stone Brewing. Its very bold, and has a rich espresso quality that is untainted by sweetness or conflicting flavors. Highly recommended if you're a serious dark roast coffee drinkers.

Right Brain Brewing - Naughty Girl Stout

This stout from Right Brain Brewing was inspired by those addictive Thin Mint cookies. And just like those chocolatey mint cookies; I found I had no self control when It came to purchasing this brew. Naughty Girl Stout pours dark chocolate brown and is topped with a thick taupe colored head. The aroma is very mild, and only has a subtle hint of the advertised mint chocolate. First sip. Strange. The chocolate is apparent, but it gets over powered by the mint. And it's not the enjoyable chocolate mint dessert flavor you would expect from a Thin Mint. Its more herbal - think mint tea.

This brew also suffers from a thin watery body. It doesn't have the traditional heavier presence that you'd expect from a stout. I understand that a style can fluctuate, but I would even consider this brew thin if it were a porter. The chocolate notes continue in the finish, but once again are overshadowed by a lingering medicinal mint flavor. Bummer. I was really hoping to enjoy this stout. I like the concept, and can see the potential. If executed right this could be a unique and enjoyable brew, but unfortunately the "Thin/Mint" inspiration becomes a too literal in this offering. 

Cheers!!!

L.L.Lind

New offerings from B. Nektar

Black Fang

Pours dark purple, with a lavender colored head. By appearance alone, it has the look of Faygo Grape soda. I'd recommend enjoying Black Fang in a Juggalo free zone. One can never be too careful. This draft style mead has a sweet clove aroma. The first sip mirrors the aroma, rich clove flavor, with notes of blackberries. The body has a brightness to it. I wanted to use the word sparkling, but considering the vampire on the label, I’ll stay as far away from "sparkling" references, for the vampire's sake. The carbonation flares on the taste buds, especially when served from a keg. The finish is clove spice, with a hint of citrus. The flavor of Black Fang is more saturated compared to other B. Nektar draft offerings i've tried, giving this mead a plum like richness. 

Dwarf Invasion 

This mead pours dark red, nearly purple, with a cherry aroma. Dwarf Invasion has a big tart cherry flavor. The tartness adds a nice bittersweet balance. Balancing sweet meads is something B. Nektar does very well. The addition to hops adds another dimension to the flavor, giving it occasional flavor notes of grapefruit and rye. Yet the star of this mead is the rich cherries. This mead would be amazing with chocolate. Dwarf Invasion has a long finish, with a lingering sweet/ tart cherry flavor. Like Black Fang, the body has a heavier feel than other B. Nektar meads, which well suits fall and winter weather. 

Join the Invasion, or suffer the consequences!!!

Clown Shoes Vampire Slayer

Today we have the Second Anniversary Ale from the brewery with the big feet - Clown Shoes. This stout is darker than the entrance to Dracula’s tomb with a creamy head the color of a fresh whittled hickory stake. Big aroma on this brew with notes of dark fruit and malts. Deep smokey flavor - hints of raisins, fudge, malts, and roasted coffee. Medium body with minimal carbonation. Boozy finish with lingering notes of semi-sweet fig, black licorice, and charcoal. 

Great Imperial Stout. I loved the smokiness of this brew.  With 10% ABV, this would be a good brew to invite a neighbor over to share. But on second thought, if you only see your neighbor after sunset, it would probably be best to leave them “uninvited”. Might not be a bad idea to start a garlic garden along the fence line as well. One can never be too careful during these troubled times. 

Pairings: During the daylight, beneath a crucifix, with super soaker full of holy water nearby. 

Cheers!!!

Three Floyds Brewing - Zombie Dust

This brew pours a cloudy burnt orange with a healthy finger’s worth of long lasting white head. Big aroma on this pale ale. Strong floral notes with a big citrus presence. The flavor has notes of citrus, peach, and mango with hints of pine spice and malt. The variety of fruit flavors gives this ale some nice tropical flavor notes as well. Zombie Dust has a medium body with a good amount of carbonation. Long finish with lingering notes of ripe orange balanced with a sweet floral bitterness. This brew leaves a slippery coating on the palate, think loose flesh on zombie bones. 

Real enjoyable brew. Very tasty from start to finish. The fruit really develops midway through enjoyment, and the foam cap of the surface lasted till the last sip. At times had a creamy presence.  

Cheers!!!

B. Nektar Necromangocon

Necromangocon is a mango and black pepper mead. It’s recipe was translated from a mysterious book discovered by a group of friends in Ferndale, Michigan. Much like the Book of the Dead from Sam Raimi’s cult classic film The Evil Dead, terrible forces were unleashed, and great consequences followed while trying to contain the conjured spirit.  

This draft style mead pours a clear honey gold color and coats the glass with micro bubbles. Mild sweet aroma with a hint of the advertised mango. First sip. Big mango flavor. The pepper flares on the back of the throat, complimenting the sweetness provided by the mango. A great balance between the two flavors. The finish has a slight tangy tartness that enhances the enjoyment even further on this well rounded beverage. What I really like is the black pepper never intensifies, or becomes dominant. It keeps a nice constant ever so mild heat/ burn presence. This offering from B. Nektar is a deliciously addictive combo of flavors, almost as if my taste buds are being possessed. It’s as if when opening this bottle, I released a spirit that wants to take over....

B. Nektar is awesome. Mead is good for you. Listen to Chin Chin, they know what they’re talking about. Spend all your money on B. Nektar meads...

Seriously folks, this is great stuff. Really good by itself, and delicious with food. Grab a bottle and get possessed!

6%ABV 

Cheers!!!

Clown Shoes Chocolate Sombrero

Todays brew is a Mexican style chocolate stout from the Mercury Brewing Company. The label features a multi limbed, sombrero wearing, stout drinking, traditionally masked, Mexican Wrestler. Mexico is know for it’s entertaining over the top high flying wrestling. This sport was imortabized in the film Nacho Libre. I’m a sucker for anything with Jack Black, and for chocolate stouts. Uncap, pour, Nachoooooo!!!!!

Chocolate Sombrero pours dark brown with a beautiful light brown head. Sweet spice and malt aroma. Nice dark chocolate flavor, with a developing chili spice bite. The spice itself is not that hot, and just flares on the back of the throat, giving a nice balance to this Imperial Stout. This medium body brew also has hints of vanilla and roasted malts. The ancho chile certainly makes this a unique stout. This brew has a long sweet finish that finally ends with a chalky chocolate mouthfeel. 

A good stout. The chile flare really helps mask the alcohol content (ABV 9%). Great body on this brew, and it certainly captures that mexican chocolate essence. Pour one the next time you are alone in your room and are wearing stretchy pant. It’ll be fun.