Founders Brewing Marvelroast
What the brewers say
Imperial golden ale with coffee, cocoa nibs, vanilla, and milk sugar.
What our panel thought
Cocoa-marshmallow wafts demand a blood sugar check—sweet coffee, vanilla, pie crust, Nestle Quik. In the flavor, cocoa-vanilla up front. Unsweetened baker's chocolate stands firm; flickers of cotton candy. Coffee drifts in and out. Crème brûlée latte.
What our editors thought
Smell the sweetness—the lactose-coffee-vanilla blend is pervasive, grounded by nutty, earthy cocoa-powder. The sip pushes that cocoa with a bitter-coffee touch, softened by vanilla. Not too sweet—a feat of balance for a beer that convinces you it's going only in one direction.