Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. 11th Anniversary

Aroma: “Strong coffee vies for attention with the roasted malt. Coffee wins.” Flavor: “Very rich toast, chocolate, and coffee. Moderately sweet. The hops just balance the sweetness. Slight green-pepper back note. Finishes a touch on the sweet side. Malt holds on awhile. Coffee bitterness comes through on the finish, but given the lingering sweetness, it balances well.” Overall: “The underlying beer is perhaps a bit heavy, but the coffee additions add complexity and yield an interesting beer overall.”

Muted nose—rich toffee malt, hints of chocolate, black tea, shards of roast and paper with a woody border. Smooth flavor—flat wash of dark roast and caramel—with an almost creamy, fairly bitter finish. Notes of cedar and spice blend with dark malt. Warming. Rich and complex.

“Barrel character is forward in the aroma—vanilla oak braces a caramel-raisin-date trifecta. In the mouth, these characters melt into thick caramel, toffee, coconut, toast, dark fruit, and chocolate with a delicious full-bodied sweetness balanced with just the right hops bitterness. A dark spiciness marks the alcoholic warmth, which is aggressive, but never harsh. Between the drying alcohol and the firm touch of hops bitterness, the sweet malt stays within bounds. The aftertaste suggests rum-soaked fruitcake. Yum! One to be sipped and thoroughly enjoyed in front of the fireplace on a snowy night.”