Style: Barrel-Aged Flavored Stout

ABV: 11.4

87/100

Aroma:	11
Appearance:	3
Flavor:	17
Mouthfeel:	4

Stone Brewing Company Bitter Chocolate Oakmeal

What the brewers say

“A recipe of unsweetened chocolate, flaked oats, and dark-roasted malts is made even more complex, care of bourbon oak barrels that impart oak and coconut-like flavors up front while accentuating the smooth mid-palate with oak vanillin notes.”

What our panel thought

Aroma: “Strong cinnamon, nutmeg, and spice, with moderate chocolate, a touch of vanilla, and light roast. Light phenolic, with moderate alcohol and a light aerosol aroma. Some oak is also present from the barrel. As it begins to warm, a mild vegetal or spicy chile aroma emerges.”

Flavor: “Moderate chocolate, with a touch of cinnamon and vanilla plus moderate piney hops bitterness. Light oak tannins give some bite, with lingering acidity and a moderate alcohol burn. Some chile spiciness with a vegetal type of flavor as well.”

Overall: “Very dark roasty chocolate, with a touch of sweetness. There’s a roasty or tannic bitterness present throughout, perhaps from too much contact time with the chocolate? But the lighter cinnamon notes enhance the chocolate—this is a beer for very dark chocolate lovers. A complex, fun beer.”

What our editors thought

Review printed in: Sweet, Roasty, and Delicious (February-March 2017) (View All Issues)

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Pure Project Enchiridion

“Rich, chocolate-covered raisin nose. Flavor profile is like a bottle of bourbon stirred into a bowl of dark-chocolate brownie mix. Spicy, with some vanilla at the finish.”

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**Aroma:** “Fresh. Some citrus notes, with stone fruit, a nice peach character up front, and a light pineapple, apricot, banana, and mango note. A touch of funk as it warms that adds a nice level of complexity.” **Flavor:** “Lots of juiciness and sweetness up front, like cane sugar, but with a healthy amount of tartness to keep it balanced. Stone fruits with some wine, oak, orange, and slight lemon. A bit of malt, but also some corn chip notes from young Brett. Moderate-to-low carbonation, a touch of tannic character for body, and a Sweet Tarty flavor that lingers.” **Overall:** “A lot of sugar-like sweetness in this beer. The funk is nice but moderate, with some citrus and fruity notes that add to the beer. A tasty beer with a lot of fun, bright flavors that could probably use a little more time to round out. The tannins in the finish help balance, but the low carbonation is a bit disappointing.”

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