Aroma: “Some noticeable bitter chocolate notes, with moderate espresso character. A little fruity, but the esters don’t clash. Mild grainy sweetness. Relatively understated compared to flavor balance of hops and chocolate malt. Light hint of plum and raisin are quite nice. Some roast develops. Very faint lactic sour note.”

Flavor: “A bit estery, but not far out of style. A bit of heat as it warms, and more roast develops. What an interesting blend! Roast malt, moderate coffee, and then a strong hit of fruit. Then it’s followed by a wash of hops flavor and bitterness. The fruitiness is the wild card—it’s more real fruit than esters.”

Overall: “A very pleasant beer with a complex but intriguing flavor. Nice bodied oatmeal stout that’s neither too sweet nor too sharp. The malt complexity is intriguing and tasty and makes it easy to drink.”