Fremont Brewing Dark Star

**Aroma:** “Thick mocha shake—creamy coffee-chocolate combo with a nice spicy alcohol nose. Moderate roast and plum, touch of cherry. Perhaps a touch of cinnamon.” **Flavor:** “Moderate dark chocolate with a lighter body than expected. High coffee notes with an earthy, peppery note. Light vanilla note toward the end of the sip. High carbonation doesn’t create a bite but perhaps masks a slight alcohol note. Slightly smoky and touch of cinnamon, notes of nutmeg, smooth warming alcohol with a bit of spice. Good oak woodiness without going too tannic. Finishes medium-dry with a touch of heat and carb bite.” **Overall:** “This imperial stout has a big earthy/woodsy barrel character. It’s lighter than expected with a coffee/chocolate-forward note. Alcohol warming but not hot. Nice mocha flavor, big and smooth. A well made coffee beer. Everything comes together nicely.”

**Aroma:** “Rich malt nose is complex with chocolate, toast, and coffee—this is a perfect breakfast beer! Nice cherry, raisin, and plum notes. Slight esters and no hops.” **Flavor:** “Warm and welcoming. Soft roast and bitterness mesh well. Alcohol is very present, especially at the swallow and into the aftertaste, but mostly emphasizes the sweetness with a touch of spicy warmth. Deep, rich roast malt character is both very sweet and very bitter at the same time. Finishes fairly balanced between lingering sweetness and bitterness. **Overall:** “This is what I want when I want an imperial stout. It’s like an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie and the nose smells like breakfast. Sweet and roasty, but not too sweet or too roasty. The two components balance incredibly well. The beer finishes warm, and that adds to the enjoyment.”

**Aroma:** “The aroma is surprising. From the appearance, you'd expect the typical roast coffee and chocolate blend, but instead you get moderately strong citrusy hops with a malt character that suggested gingerbread crossed with chocolate brownies. It’s inviting, but a bit jarring for the style.” **Flavor:** “Nice caramel malt sweetness. Hops bitterness balances sweetness. Fruity esters with raisins up front and chocolate toward the end of the sip extending into the aftertaste. Medium alcohol warming that becomes more apparent as the taste continues.” **Overall:** “A good level of alcohol warming mixed with a strong chocolate, fruity esters, and slight sweetness. Low cherry note. Less bitter than some others.”