Otter Creek Brewing Co. Couch Surfer

“Soft chocolate-malt and dark-fruit aroma with a hint of vanilla. Very low woody hops. Bright and velvety malt character with flavors of light roast coffee, caramel, vanilla, cherry. Playful berry esters add sweetness and acidity. Semisweet, silky finish.”

__Aroma:__ “A nice medium roast on the nose, with secondary notes of bitter and semisweet chocolate. There’s a fair amount of caramel and dark toffee on the nose that pairs nicely with the roast, but the earthy aroma at the back really dominates. Initially, it almost comes across as a chocolate latte.” __Flavor:__ “Bitter chocolate covers the mouth with some extreme roast character, which gives it a slight wood and tobacco presence. The roast really dominates with a chewy flavor, as if biting into an espresso bean−laced dark chocolate bar. The mouthfeel is fantastic, and coats the cheeks. Finishes with hoppy bitterness, cigar, and tobacco notes.” __Overall:__ “A very good beer. The chocolaty sweetness comes through on the nose and holds on just long enough to balance the roast and cigar notes.”

**Aroma:** “Big chocolate, light roast, light astringency, light acidic note, light caramel, very light dark fruits. Coffee ice cream with a touch of chocolate/cocoa with hints of nutmeg and a touch of licorice. Alcohol evident.” **Flavor:** “Bittersweet chocolate, like very dark or baker’s chocolate. Good mocha flavor—roast and chocolate malt. Good bitterness with sweet undertones. Aftertaste is fairly mild, like it’s toning itself down. Moderate earthy hops, big mouth filling carbonation. Alcohol is up front and warming, but not harsh.” **Overall:** “Classic imperial stout, leaning toward the roast. Crisp with a fair bit of bitterness at the end. There are supporting notes of caramel, chocolate, and dark fruits that come through keeping the beer from being too simplistic. A nice hefty body and rich chocolate and coffee flavors make this a nice winter beer.”