Aurora Ale & Lager Dark Ascent

“Medium-strength baker’s chocolate, with some background notes of toffee, biscuity malt, macadamia nut. Vanilla vertices are very soft. The flavor falls short of the aroma as vanilla melds in the background of the layered chocolate character and gets lost in the shuffle. Enjoyable but unpolished. Finishes semisweet but doesn’t know what it is.”

Mild aroma of roasted malt, bitter chocolate, and hints of caramel meld with a floral hop aroma to create an intriguing nose. The flavor pits the caramel sweetness against the roasty bitterness, leaving the perfume-like Noble hop notes to negotiate a settlement. The denouement comes in the form of a truce with the only clear winner holding the glass.

**Aroma:** “Light licorice, caramel, dark cherry, toasty, and coconut, moderate earthiness, big fenugreek/maple syrup. Light oak with medium chocolate and light coffee. As it warms, less coconut and more alcohol. Molasses and honey with some mild cocoa. Somewhat peppery roast and toast notes are well blended.” **Flavor:** “Moderate roast, medium body, medium coffee, strong chocolate, touch of cherry, light plum, and a touch of maple syrup. A medium nutty note and more honey. Fairly dry flavor with slight dried fruit notes. Moderate alcohol and roast going into the aftertaste. Light oak notes toward then end as it warms.” **Overall:** “Fun stout with hints of breakfast, light fruit, a touch of maple syrup, chocolate, and a bit of coffee. Some of the dark fruits come out nicely as well. Barrel character is a bit muted but it's very drinkable.”