Braxton Dark Charge
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What the brewers say
“Dark Charge is a massive Imperial Stout that showcases Kentucky’s heritage–bourbon. Dark as the Covington night, this beer features notes of stone fruits, chocolate, coffee, oak, roasted malts, and umami.”
What our panel thought
Aroma: “First impression was Christmas beer with the phenol all-stars: cinnamon, nutmeg, maybe some clove, too. Some light caramel malt, light green chile, and chocolate drives home the Mexican stout feel.”
Flavor: “Rich mole notes of cinnamon, chocolate, and chile, plus a bit of roast coffee, softened by vanilla. Chile warmth snuggles in with the alcohol. Finish is fairly dry, with spicy heat and roast bitterness. Great complexity up front that leads to a fairly dry and mildly astringent finish. Sweet but nowhere near cloying.”
Overall: “Very tasty combination. Great spice character with the individual additions of cinnamon, chili, and chocolate all really well-balanced. Underlying beer could benefit from a bit more sweetness to balance the spicy astringency of the barrel.”
