New Belgium Brewing Clutch

__Aroma:__ “Really nice prune and raisin vinous character up front very evident of Belgian yeast—a healthy blend of fruity esters and spicy phenols: pear, overripe apple, and light banana with a pleasant floral, spice note. Great dark burnt caramel and toffee, with a roast character akin to earthy moss.” __Flavor:__ “Bright yeasty prune esters and a white pepper phenolic dominate but still showcase the roast. Banana and clove, with star anise, black licorice, and a touch of floral spice. Lime and lemon citrus notes. The coffee and dark caramel character comes through as it warms.” __Overall:__ “A great job balancing and harmonizing the different flavor profiles. The dark caramel is fantastic with this ever-so-slight dark roast/special B character. Banana bread with raisins becomes more apparent as it warms. The monks would be proud!”

“Soft espresso and hints of smoke. Notes of resin/minty hops. Luscious and rich dark malt with French roast coffee, licorice, and a burnt toast note. Finishes slightly sweet. The mouthfeel holds it together, creamy throughout. Rich and rewarding.”

**Aroma:** “High fruity note similar to a Belgium with cherry, figs, raisins, orange. A candy-like aroma, perhaps like a cherry sucker. Toasty malt. Slightly oxidized. There is also a sweet milk chocolate aroma. Lots of malt sweetness. Slight coffee. A creaminess is present on the nose.” **Flavor:** “This comes across like a Belgian dubbel. High cherry note up front with a medium sweetness that slowly fades into a low bitterness with slight acidity. A light roast in the middle of the sip. The bitterness toward the end of the sip transitions into the aftertaste. Thin-to-medium body that is cut by the carbonation. Same esters as on the nose with some dark roast chocolate and toasted bread notes. Finishes with an interesting combination of the sweetness from the esters and a low-medium carbonic acid dryness. This beer has a flavor of vanilla cola.” **Overall:** “It’s enjoyable and sweet, but is this a stout? I get more fruity Belgian-like notes. As it warms, there is a bit of chocolate toward the very end. This could be a stout, but not a sweet stout. The aftertaste is too dry and astringent. A confusing beer for a sweet stout, given all of the strong Belgian-like esters and the carbonic ester finish.”