Prairie Noir - Prairie Artisan Ales

inlimbo77

Delaware

4.24/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

750ml, Winter 2013
BeerAdelphia glass

A: Pours deep brown. Not completely black. Light tan head. Forms a collar. Good carbonation.

S: Smells of booze. Dark cocoa. Mild roast. Burnt sugar. Vanilla.

T: Dark chocolate bitterness upfront. Oats really make this beer smooth. You get nice sweetness from the malts to flow in there. Getting some caramel notes. Toasted marshmallow for sure. Lingering deliciousness.

M: It's full bodied. Creamy from oats.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2013 14:14:16 | More by inlimbo77

bcostner1

Tennessee

4.7/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

A: Black; nearly opaque; really nice khaki head that remains for a long time and creates nice lacing in the glass.

S: Chocolate, booze, bourbon, vanilla.

T: Semi sweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate, cocoa powder, hersheys syrup, vanilla, bourbon (but not very overpowering to me), wood, some char, roasted malt, mild molasses.

M: Pretty easy drinker, rich and satisfying; booze is evident but not offensive. The 9% abv is nice. I wish there were more great BA Stouts that were in the 9% ABV range as opposed to double digits.

Overall, I'm impressed. This is a great beer and all the things i have heard about Prairie are true. Seek this one out.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 22:32:15 | More by bcostner1

metter98

New York

4.21/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A: The beer is jet black in color and poured with a quarter finger high tan head.
S: Moderately strong aromas of whiskey are present in the nose that died down, leaving a thin head covering the surface.
T: Like the smell, the taste is dominated by flavors of whiskey from the barrel aging process and also has notes of dark chocolate and roasted malts.
M: It feels medium-bodied and rather smooth on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation. There are some notes of warming from the alcohol.
O: This is a nice beer if you like whiskey bucause it is prominently featured in the smell and taste but isn't overpowering.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 01:56:16 | More by metter98

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4.21/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: Pours an opaque jet black in color with light to moderate amounts of visible carbonation and some dark cola brown highlights. The beer has a half finger tall dense foamy dark tan head that slowly reduces to a very thin film covering the majority of the surface of the beer, a small patch of medium thickness, and a medium thick ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate aromas of whiskey and oak barrels with some lighter notes of roasted malt, chocolate, and coffee.

T: Upfront there are moderate flavors of roasted and sweet malts with some lactose notes. Light to moderate flavors of whisky and oak. Some much lighter notes of dark chocolate and caramel. There is a light amount of spiciness in the aftertaste, like from a rye whiskey.

M: Heavier than medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation.

O: Really enjoyable, this beer has great flavors and aromas contributed from the barrel aging. The alcohol is well hidden making this beer easier to drink. Definitely one worth finding and my first beer from Oklahoma.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 01:36:56 | More by dbrauneis

jhamp9

Texas

4.35/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Thick jet black pour with a thin dark brown head that fades down to a ring. Nice lacing that slides down the glass.

Strong milk chocolate aroma with some roast and faint caramel.

Taste is dark chocolate, char, sweet milk chocolate, vanilla, and bourbon. Coffee aftertaste. Bitterness comes through in the finish.

Really nice silky texture. Alcohol warmth on the way down.

This is fantastic stout.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 21:07:21 | More by jhamp9

RuckusDu

Colorado

4.15/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Such a different beer. The whiskey barrels are very forward but it almosts tastes like an amazing black IPA. Light on the mouth and a little drying. Nose has some of that sour milky aroma with some smooth whiskey. Flavor is as described above. Really a different beer here that is a welcome surprise.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 18:42:55 | More by RuckusDu

blankust

Oklahoma

4.99/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

served from bottle into chalice style glass.

Appearance: ebony with half finger thick brown head
Aroma: very winy, chocolate/coffeeish aroma
Mouth feel: very smooth
Taste: bitter chocolate followed by coffee and toffee, hints of vanilla throughout, can feel alcohol warmth, long lasting cocoa aftertaste.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 00:00:34 | More by blankust

mwilbur

Minnesota

4.3/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 750 mL bottle into snifter.
A: Pours as black as a moonless night with a nice 1/2 inch dark tan head. Good retention. Looks as heavy (or massive) as a black hole. Extremely inviting.
S: Aroma alternates between dark (bitter) chocolate, whiskey, and roasted malt notes. Hint of burnt sugar and wood smoke.
T: Not quite as powerful as the appearance and aroma suggested. Still, a potent mix of dark roast coffee, bitter dark chocolate, vanilla, whiskey, and a hint of heavy cream. In the background lingers some elusive hop notes. And with warming there emerges a note of melon. Nice complexity.
M: Absolutely silky smooth up front (courtesy of the oatmeal). Also suprisingly light body. Then it quickly turns bitter (chocolate, malt, and hop elements) with a moderate alcohol burn. In addition, the bright acidity lends a nice "fresh" element to this brew. Not the typical mouthfeel of an imperial stout...in a good way.
D: A solid, complex, and at times surprising (pleasantly) beer. A wonderful brew..seek it out!

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 03:55:53 | More by mwilbur

Dope

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

No date that I can find on this one.

A: Pitch black pour with a good sized and dense medium brown head. Head fades very slowly with top notch retention. Wide splotches of lacing everywhere.

S: Nice charred oak with sweet caramel and vanilla. Get a little bit of...coconut maybe? Decent sweet roasted malt - chocolate primarily. Sweet grains too, must be the oatmeal.

T: Oh yeah, this is nice. Sweet caramel and chocolate up front. Oatmeal joins in along with the char, giving it a burnt oatmeal like flavor. Not as bad as it sounds, quite pleasant in fact. A bit of chocolate syrup in the middle. Finish is charred oak and hints of vanilla and burnt sugar. Fairly drying.

M: Heavy, smooth, creamy. Really nice.

O: One helluva nice stout. Barrel character is not overpowering, this is not BCBS (for better or worse). But it does add a nice element of complexity and really makes this one big and tasty brew. Oatmeal adds creaminess and further complexity. Beer is mellow and smooth throughout, no sharp flavors at all. No real booziness either. Great brew.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 03:54:02 | More by Dope

Bosoxfan20

Missouri

4.35/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A- Poured from a 750ml bottle into a sniffer glass. Pours a beautiful, syrupy near black with just the smallest mocha colored head. I tried and tried to get some foam going with this beer but no luck. Under carbonated? Possibly. Not much lacing. Love the color though.

S- Some chocoalte and coffee, tons of carmelized malts, dark fruits, roasted marshmellows, wiskey, damp wood, and booze. A sweet, wonderful aroma. Very intriguing!

T- Taste follows nose wonderfully. Huge amounts of roasted flavors. Dark chocolate, oats and oak. Oak aged to perfection. Everything i smelled and maybe enhanced some. Warm, dry finish. Balanced and complex.

M- Oh so creamy. Full body. Viscous. Undercarbonation is my only complaint, and it is a modest complaint at that. But the smoothness of this beer seems to make up for it. The alcohol presence gives it a nice, crisp finish that lets you know it is a sipper.

O- My second brew from Prairie, and like the first (Standard), I find it really enjoyable. Goes nicely with a steak dinner. The barel aging may have subdued the carbonation a bit too much, but overall this was an outstanding imperial stout.

$11.99 for 750ml bottle

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 23:18:12 | More by Bosoxfan20

Hopswagger

Oklahoma

3.94/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

P: Pitch black darkness peered down upon by dense fresh espresso froth. Moderate retention leaving a completely covered blanket of dark froth and lacing forming a wall that sluggishly slips down the edges.

S: Robust roasted dark malts, salted caramel, vanilla bean, sweet whisky mash, cooking cocoa, milk chocolate, and a shaved coconut background.

T/M: Cherry mash, cooking cocoa, aggressive grain alcohol. The vanilla and shaved coconut are there but masked by the aggressive whisky barreling. Once swallowed bitter cooking cocoa, and espresso hit the back of the throat. Super boozy and rough. Mouthfeel is medium at best and the zesty carbonation level almost ruins the entire beer.

Second glass is much better and more blended. Booze has blended much better and carbonation settled its self down.

O: I was excited about this given the experience I have had with this breweries offerings. At first I really had my reservation about this and wanted to pour it out. The carb level dialed down on the second glass and really joined the family together. I'm glad I continued this adventure because it really got better with every sip. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 02:39:55 | More by Hopswagger

StaveHooks

Oklahoma

4.34/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

750ml served n a snifter

A - Black as night with 1 finger of mocha colored bubbles. Noticeable retention with specks of lacing.

S - Chocolate and whiskey creep out right away, dark and berry fruits, the barrel really starts coming out and addind a sweet rustic, woody character with hints of herbs. Malty alcohol vapors wake up the senses.

T - Creamy chocolate, vanilla, whiskey barrel comes in with a wave drying out the sweet chocolate malts, hints of lightly acidic fruit add a perfect touch of tartness. A kiss of alcohol hits the outside edge and laces caramel, vanilla, herbs and roasted malts. Finishes roasty with a hint of fruity alcohol.

M - Thick and viscous feel, full dense body, very creamy carbonation, feels the mouth like a milk shake but doesn't overbear. Very different but complex feel,

I've never experienced a mouthfeel like this. The only word that describes it is "decadent". Excellent stout base with careful whiskey barrel roundness. This is an impressive beer. It almost forces you to sip and savor it. Well done Prairie!

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 02:46:42 | More by StaveHooks

DelMontiac

Oklahoma

4.2/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

Finally, a big barrel-aged imperial stout from an Oklahoma brewer. My first encounter with Prairie Artisan Ales. Purchased at Brown's Bottle Shop, Stillwater, OK. Twas a good day, that one...

Opened the 750mL corked/caged bottle with a friend and poured into original Crown and Rose nonics. Did not notice any dating, but was so excited I forgot to look for one. Pours opaque black/brown with a single finger of rusty brown foam. Very good head retention forming scant crackled lace.

Not allowing for bottle warming, the aromas are a bust upon initial pour - faint licorice, coffee bean, whiskey, and wild yeast. After several minutes of warming in the glass the nose awakes, but still a bit drowsey - espresso, dark Belgian chocolate, port wine, burnt brown sugar, and whiskey.

Flavors are more pronounced than the nose would indicate. Bittersweet dark chocolate, black cherries and raisins simmered in bourbon, smokey charred oak, scorched molasses, and vanilla bean flecks on the finish. There is a distinct grassy hop character and some warming alcohol.

Medium-full chewy body is not as sticky as some imperial stouts, but smooth and comforting. Carbonation is just right. Alcohol warmth stops this one short of 5 in the feel dept. Still, righteous.

These brewers should be proud of this gem. Can it hang with the "big dogs" of the imperial stout style? Some of them - yes. I'd like to see what this can do in cellar. If I can find more, I'm on it.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 00:17:14 | More by DelMontiac

InVinoVeritas

Wisconsin

4.46/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: This beer knocks it out of the park when it comings to appearance. It is dark black and nearly opaque in color. It pours and a huge head, which is a burnt dark orange / brown. I’ve never seen a BA stout with such a pillowy thick head. Lacing stays the whole time while sipping. It really doesn’t get better looking than this.

S: Smell is a splash of just the right balance of whiskey, roasted malts, and chocolate. You get a little alcohol burn that hits the back of the nostrils.

T: Is right inline with the smell. Smooth and externally well balanced; you get the entire great flavor with nothing stealing the show from the other flavors. It is big and complex, with just the right amount of whiskey, so as to yet again not detract from what else is going on.

M: This thing hops like a bottle of champagne. Carbonation is crazy and both the mouthfeel and head as noted in the appearance confirm this. Body is medium to heavy.

O- This is a diamond in the ruff or a car guys analogy, like finding a 427 Cobra in a barn; I just had never come across this if it wasn’t for a great trade partner. It is well-balanced, smooth and complex . . . what else could you ask for from a BA imperial stout.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 02:53:28 | More by InVinoVeritas

champ103

Texas

4.61/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

A big thanks to Dajai007 for sharing the bottle, buy indirect generosity from wolfman17.

A: Pours a dark brown, nearly black with some ruby highlights around the edges. A light tan head rises to just over one finger. Nice lace is left behind.
S: At first, the nose is very muted. Though eventually all the great subtleties come out. Light toasted malts, bitter bakers chocolate, and vanilla sweetness. Light wood comes out, and continues to build in its boldness throughout. Really enjoyable.
T: Oh man, this is great. At first toasted malt, and light caramel sweetness. As this warms so much more comes out. Bakers dark chocolate, oats, vanilla and oak flavors. The barrel flavors are so subtle, but still amazing. This seems blended to me. Even some dark fruits of plums and chocolate covered cherries in the mix. So enjoyable, this is excellent.
M/D: An excellent and full body. Soft carbonation, but not under carbonated at all. A near perfect mouthfeel for an oatmeal stout. So luscious, smooth, and velvety. This is like silk, it is so smooth. Everything works perfectly here, which make this a treat to drink. The alcohol shows just a bit towards the end, making the ABV known and a wonderful sipper.

Just an incredible oatmeal imperial stout. Subtle complexities abound, everything is so enjoyable, and works perfectly together. The barrel character is there, but so well blended in to the mix. A wonderful beer, which I hope to come across many more times. Up there with the likes of KBS, BCBS, and other top flight imperial stouts.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2013 03:14:15 | More by champ103

TX-Badger

Texas

4.61/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I've had a few of these now and wow, just a phenomenal stout. Onto the review:

A - Prairie Noir has a dark black, obsidian color, almost tar black. Poured into a Dogfish head glass, minimal lacing, but a good amount of nice tan head on this beer.

S - On the nose I get whiskey, coffee, and hints of cacao nibs. Very pleasant on the nose.

T - On the palate first is the cacao, coffee, and maltiness, very pleasant. There is a slight sweetness on the finish and a distinct whiskey note, definitely unmistakable.

M - Full-bodied and rich on the palate, and the carbonation is just right.

O - A very well done imperial stout, I'm glad they are making more and more! I highly recommend trying this beer, it is worth every penny. From start to finish this is a beer that will impress even the biggest beer snobs (well, at least it should, imho). Can't wait to try the Pirate Noir!

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2013 02:23:50 | More by TX-Badger

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.23/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 2.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pours ebony with a pinky of caramel brown head. Viscious, look to this, a bit of head retention & lacing

S: Dark fruits in abundance, raisins, carob, faint boozeyness, vanilla

T: Carob, oakyness, vanilla, charcoal & baker's chocolate up front. Raisins, plums, dark chocolate, boozey oakyness as this warms, some sourmash attributes,slight smokeyness, slight dark cherry sweetness & vanilla. Finshes with a nice bit vanilla & oak, sour cherry, a modicum of licorice & raisin

MF: Medium/heavy bodied with subtle carbonation, pretty dry, fairly slick/smooth as this warms

Drinks easy for the style & ABV, this just got better as it warms. Not sure I would age this as it is drinking fabulous right now

I predict this will be highly sought after if kept in the regular rotation

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 06:25:20 | More by russpowell

AlexFields

Tennessee

4.18/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Pours really dark and oily, looks like more than a 9% beer.

Smell is HUGE whiskey, rarely have I ever smelled a BA beer that smells so purely of whiskey. Also lots of vanilla and oak and booze. Barely any stout to be found in there!

Taste also has lots of whiskey but is a bit more balanced. Tons of vanilla and oak. Fairly boozy, very sweet, some chocolate and hazelnut. Much better and more balanced than I expected from the nose.

Mouthfeel is excellent, super creamy and rich and think.

For being only 9% this is a huge beer--huge flavor, huge barrel aging, tastes and feels like much higher abv. Very nice beer, although somewhat dominated by the barrels (not necessarily a bad thing but I'd love to try the base beer).

8.3/10

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2013 04:18:51 | More by AlexFields

Buster

Oklahoma

4.74/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Poured into an oversized wine glass

A- It pours like your average imperial stout. It's pitch black, has a decent tan head, and leaves great lacing on the glass. There are also some faint alcohol legs left on the glass.

S- I first got a burst of vanilla, along with fantastic whiskey notes, dark chocolate, fudge, oak, booze, and a little bit of dark-roasted coffee hiding in the background. As it warmed, it began to smell like I was nosing a glass of whiskey in a kitchen where brownies were baking in the oven.

T- The taste was right up there with the aroma. Big, complex flavors. I first tasted a sweet, oaky, vanilla. This was followed by a huge, delicious whiskey note. Then, the flavor then exploded with big chocolatey notes. The alcohol did not make as much of a presence as I thought it would. All together, it was a fantastic flavor that got better as I worked my way down the glass. The aftertaste left delicious flavors of whiskey, chocolate, and oaky vanilla, and it leaves a slight warmth on the tongue.

M- Medium-bodied, with a creamy mouthfeel.

O- This is a well-balanced, flavorful, and complex imperial stout. I didn't expect it to be this good. This was the first Oklahoma beer that really impressed me. It's a bit on the expensive side, but well worth it if you love imperial stouts. I'm really excited about this brewery, and can't wait to try some of their other offerings.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 02:52:17 | More by Buster

bump8628

Oklahoma

4.24/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Espresso brown, almost black, body with a creamy tan head. Soft and rounded flavors for an Imperial stout. Milk chocolate, espresso, charred sugar, vanilla, mild herbal bitterness. The whiskey barrel treatment is fairly subtle, background woodiness, creme brulee, molasses, and a whiskey finish. Satisfying mouthfeel without an overly sweet finish. This is a well put together beer. Rich flavors, good balance, the barrel is integrated well. Not quite as aggressive as other big barrel aged stouts.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 05:30:34 | More by bump8628

isaiahcutright

Oklahoma

3.94/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours black with very little head looks almost flat but it formed a thin layer of bubbles shortly after pouring.

Smell- Vanilla, char, chocolate, whiskey, no hop presence just sweet malty goodness.

Taste- Coffee, bitter chocolate, heavy roasted malt, vanilla, oak, char, raisin, whiskey, some hop presence but well disguised in this malt bomb. Very little alcohol heat.

Mouthfeel- Smooth, creamy, leaves the mouth heavy with charred oak and malt.

Overall- A nice stout that was brewed in OK that I hope to see more often.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2013 23:59:11 | More by isaiahcutright

jmbranum

Oklahoma

4.58/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Very excited to try this beer. Bought from Byron's Liquor store in OKC for around $9.

Odd persnicketedy thing... the wire cage was really attached tightly. I almost had to reach for the pliers to get the wire thing twisted off. The cork underneath was easy enough to remove though.

Aroma was fairly subdued (not as aromatic as say a Bourbon County Brand Stout). Very slight toasty and chocolate notes.

Pours a dark inky black that takes on a brownish tinge on the edges of the glass when held up to the light. Nice tan head that appears a few seconds after pouring but then gradually disappears.

Flavor... this beer is extremely dry and smooth. Lots of toastiness. A little bit of unsweetened chocolate, a hint of mollasses, Some spices. Hops are there but they are hard to pick out. Overwhelming amounts of alcoholic warmth (I think my bottle might be stronger than 9% ABV). Definitely some whiskey in there. Also some espresso. Really there is so much going on here that is hard to pick out all of the elements. Mexican vaniila or maybe a little of unbleached turbinado sugar. It is interesting to me that while this beer is very dry, that I keep finding comparisons to different kinds of unprocessed sugar (i.e. molasses, turbinado sugar, brown sugar, etc.).

Mouthfeel is very smooth (as expected with the oatmeal). It is an interesting concept but I think I prefer the slightly syrupy/fuller version of some whiskey barred stouts I've had. As it warms, I like the mouthfeel more. It starts to pick up some nice creamyness along with a tinge of oilyness in the aftertaste (hard to explain but I like it).

Overall, this is a very interesting beer. I want to drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 17:36:06 | More by jmbranum

ThirstyHerf

Oklahoma

4.09/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A- opaque dark brown/black, tan head lingers for about 2 minutes with good lacing.

S- chocolate bourbon ball. Roasty, hint of smoke, vanilla

T- chocolate, coffee, vanilla, hops, roasty malts, coffee. Tasty!

M- nice, rich, oily, slightly astringent. Wish this was just a little thicker but really appreciate the feel of this beer

O- gotta go with the over not the under. This is a delicious BBL stout. Very nice coffee, bitter where it needs to be. This could use more time in the barrel though.

Ok, editing my review. After drinking this for a while longer, this is really starting to remind me of the most recent batch of KBS.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 21:46:25 | More by ThirstyHerf

crusian

Texas

3.9/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle from will, thanks for this one too.
Pours a dark brown and settles a nice inky black in the glass. Thought this was dead flat. Finished the pour and it just sat there staring at me... Then slowly started to build a head. Pretty cool trick.
Nose is buttery and whiskey with some chocolate undertones. It actually works.
Taste is anise, molasses, whiskey with chocolate. Yum. Smooth, creamy, thicker than expected mouthfeel based on the pour.
Nice. I like it. :)

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 02:20:27 | More by crusian

stephens101

Oklahoma

3.73/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A smattering of bubbles are the only thing resting atop this pitch black brew. Aroma is simple and pleasant with an obvious milk chocolate sweetness, some vanilla, a little burnt sugar and ripe raisins in the back. Graham cracker, taffy, dark, bitter chocolates and some woodiness to the tongue. Becomes somewhat astringent as it warms, and has a lingering alcohol heat, two facts that do this brew no justice. Creamy up front with a drier ending. Lies just on the heavy side of medium which hits it on the head for the style. I enjoyed this beer there is no doubt, but it left me wondering what it would be like cleaned up a bit, softened at the edges, and toned down into a straight Oatmeal Stout.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 20:19:25 | More by stephens101