Southern Tier Brewing Company Warlock

**Aroma:** “Unique lemon and malt sweetness up front, with notes of vanilla, toffee, caramel, and creme brûlée. A hint of cinnamon and nutmeg, but caramel candy note dominates. Slight floral potpourri notes on top of the pumpkin.” **Flavor:** “Vanilla, brown sugar, and caramel sweetness at first taste, with a touch of pumpkin-pie spices (mostly ginger) to support. The sweetness gives way to the ginger spiciness. The vanilla/caramel flavor comes through a bit artificial, but still works well in the beer. Also tastes of lemon and some earthiness. Finishes slightly astringent and sharp.” **Overall:** “A unique, well-executed, original take on a pumpkin beer (the lemon-esque flavor is unique). Biggest complaint from others will be the ginger and the ‘artificial’ flavoring, but personally, I really enjoy it in this beer. It will be polarizing, but for this particular judge, one of my favorite pumpkin beers.”

Aroma: “Intense coffee and roasted malt mixed with vanilla, booze, and a smoky character. Inviting caramel whiffs, with plenty of ethanol.” Flavor: “Semisweet bitter chocolate is the dominant character. An ashy roast note from the nose is still present and leaves a lingering tongue-smacking chalky feel. The finish is rich and not overly sweet, and the bourbon and wood character add a nice underlying warmth.” Overall: “A boozy iced chocolate mocha, even if a little thin. Well-balanced and not harsh or over the top. A good breakfast beer, if you’re so inclined.”

**Aroma:** “Huge chocolate nose, almost reminiscent of chocolate extract, with little roasted malt or coffee coming through. Very chocolaty (milk chocolate and Hershey’s syrup) and sweet. It is hard to get past the chocolate in the aroma.” **Flavor:** “Huge chocolate flavors, mostly reminiscent of a sweet chocolate bar or a chocolate factory. Coffee and roasted malts are subtle and help to balance, but finish is sweet and chocolaty with some slightly minty flavors. Tastes exactly like a mocha frappuccino. Very faint hops bitterness and some alcohol warmth that provides a nice accent.” **Overall:** “Very complex, unique beer that showcases chocolate more than coffee. It tastes like a sweet chocolate bar in a glass. It would serve as an incredible example of a chocolate stout, but is lacking as a chocolate coffee stout. This isn't so much a beer as it is a dessert. However, the sweetness is not cloying, and the finish is clean.”