Perennial Artisan Ales Maman 2016

**Aroma:** “Very rich and fruity—dark fruits, cherry, plums, and raisins. Tangy lactic notes. Sweet citrus and malt character with earthy and floral components.” **Flavor:** “Intense sweet honey and dark fruit character with light hop bitterness. Malty sweet and slightly lacto-acidic. Effervescent finish with lingering sweetness—a tad too sweet for the style at this point, but it should dry out over time.” **Overall:** “A nice beer but not as much wild yeast character as expected—little to no funky or sour flavors. Complexity may develop over time. Nice example of a straight Belgian beer, but not quite a saison. No obvious Brett character.”

__Aroma:__ “Strong roast up front, with chocolate malt, oak, vanilla, coconut, and roasted coffee. Fruity esters emerge with aromas of raisin, plum, cherry, stone fruit, banana, and dark fruit. Light smoke and licorice, with some brown sugar, caramel, toffee, and bourbon. Spicy alcohol, too. So wonderful.” __Flavor:__ “A delicious mix of vanilla, dark chocolate, black licorice, molasses, coconut, and dark fruity esters of cherry and plum. A strong malt backbone coupled with a healthy roast and smoke note keep the beer from getting too cloying.” __Overall:__ “It’s a wonderful blend of everything one would expect from a barrel-aged imperial stout. It’s like drinking Panda licorice with a touch of smokiness that continues into the finish. The barrel aging added a depth to the flavor profile of dark fruits and coffee notes, and with some age, it will only get better.”

__Aroma:__ “Strong bourbon, with lots of vanilla, chocolate, oak, and caramel. A little mint as well, with some light black licorice, plum, cherry, and date.” __Flavor:__ “Assertive bourbon, supported by the malt sweetness. Vanilla, oak, and oak tannins, with some chocolate and caramel in the background. It’s smooth and rich, with mouth-filling carbonation and a bit of alcohol presence. Dark fruity flavors of cherry, raisin, and plum as it warms. Finishes with a chocolate sweetness and a mild alcohol burn that lingers.” __Overall:__ “Very bourbon-forward. The oak tannins are a bit strong and might be a bit much for some, but the sweetness of the beer might balance it well enough for others. The vanilla, oak, fruity esters, and chocolate make for a complex, if a bit barrel-heavy, imperial stout. This is a great beer for a cold night with a touch of snow.”