Tallgrass Brewing Company Vanilla Bean Buffalo Sweat
What the brewers say
“Vanilla Bean Buffalo Sweat is a combination of our award-winning oatmeal cream stout, Buffalo Sweat, with whole Ugandan vanilla beans. The result is the natural espresso-chocolate flavors of Buffalo Sweat infused with the sweetness of vanilla. It’s an exceptional treat on a cold winter’s night.”
What our panel thought
Aroma: “Roast aroma with a light chocolate and a low vanilla. As it warms, a lot more vanilla starts to come out with a high sweetness. The roast character comes through in the nose. Chocolate and coffee are present. Creamy vanilla notes are very strong.”
Flavor: “Toasty and nutty malt with lots of vanilla and chocolate in the background. Moderately bitter throughout, with a moderate-to-strong sweetness in the finish. Medium body is a bit thin for the vanilla notes. A medium sweetness helps support the vanilla. There is a smoothness in this beer. Initial dry roast flavors are quickly replaced by the intense sweetness of the vanilla bean, which lingers to the end. Finishes medium-dry in terms of body, but the lingering vanilla makes it seem very sweet.”
Overall: “A lot of great flavors elements, but the beer lacks body to support the sweetness from the vanilla in the finish. Doesn’t have the body and silkiness I would expect from an oatmeal stout. Enjoyable and sweet. The vanilla was showcased and provided sweetness but not too sweet.”
