Fifty West Brewing Maple Coffee Death Valley Shootout
What the brewers say
"Coupled with coffee and maple syrup."
What our panel thought
"Cohesive blend of coffee and maple syrup across the nose; light fruit and green-pepper notes. Big, round, soft body. Layers of fruit-forward coffee, chocolate, maple. Sweet, restrained finish with roast that hampers drinkability. Underlying stout seems light; barrel adds spice that a richer beer would balance."
What our editors thought
"One-note maple nose. The sip is heavy in the mid-range—caramel, light chocolate, a touch of hop bitterness. A touch thin and unsupported relative to its peers."