12 West Brewing Company Midnight Run

Big, dark, almost dank, fresh-roasted bag-o’-coffee-beans nose; a fruity apple note shows as it warms. Ample fresh-dark-coffee flavor throughout, green-pepper note; slight sweetness, with judicious roast bitterness kept in check. Dry and bitter but fairly light on the palate—austere. Some astringency and acidity lingering, but overall refreshing.

**Aroma:** “Rich complex roast. Very low ester profile. Notes of coffee, some chocolate, dry cocoa sweetness. Toasty malt with a hint of caramel. As it warms, more chocolate and and some dark roasted roast.” **Flavor:** “Medium sweet with slightly tart finish. Sharp chocolate up front with a rich roastiness that takes over quickly after. Characteristic silkiness of oatmeal stout. Medium smoke note that extends into the aftertaste. A sharp bitterness from the roast character reminds me of an iced coffee. Some nutty notes, some dry chocolate sweetness and bitterness. Thin bodied. Earthy hops come through near the end as well as dark roasted malt. Finish is quite dry.” **Overall:** “Rich and complex, yet easy drinking. Very dry. Malt is simple but works well, and the slight earthy hops are good. A high roast creates an astringency and almost a bitterness. Medium smoke note that also contributes to the astringency. This beer had some nice roast qualities, but the roast itself seemed to dominate the flavor. Somewhat thin for an oatmeal stout.”

“Chocolate fills the nose, suggesting roasty sulfur, dark fruit, and coffee. Flavor carries notes of semisweet chocolate, plum, roast coffee, butterscotch, toffee, and cherries. Low hop bitterness, rather sweet. Lower carbonation. Mineral-water finish ends with herbal hop bitterness.”