Alvarado Street Brewery Dark Libations #3

“Layered coffee with vanilla, chocolate, caramel undertones creates a rich aroma. Vanilla shows up early and often in the sip. Its sweetness lingers, leaving a pleasant impression of crème brûlée.”

This is at least 500 yards of velvet goodness. Coffee, maple, and vanilla blend very nicely in the aroma. Taste is the same, very smooth, velvety, and big. This one is hard to put down. As it warms, it gets even better. The barrel aspect comes out in the finish—some char to help balance the sweetness. Mouthfeel has a very silky texture. This is a beer we would gladly enjoy in a coffee mug while camping or hanging out by a fire late at night. Not overtly sweet, this can be a full glass of fun.

Aroma: “Cocoa butter, vanilla, macadamia nuts, and sugar cookie. Plenty of sweet booze with more coconut, oak, and filberts coming on at the end. A candy beer for sure.” Flavor: “Super-sweet pastry beer, indeed. Nice malt sweetness, all caramel and toasted toffee. Cocoa is there, and the nuts. Some woodiness. Noticeable bourbon heat. Borderline too sweet/cloying.” Overall: “Sweet and nutty with some nice vanilla and caramel bourbon- derived notes. On the verge of too sweet and a bit boozy. Definitely a beer to share because a little bit goes a long way.”