Aroma: “Smoky (cherry wood?). Nice dark coffee notes with hint of cocoa. Medium cherry esters. with a light undertone of ash. Mild hops aroma.”

Flavor: “Light smoke notes complement full-bodied roastiness. Alcohol is smooth and warming. Good roast malt up front, with a bit of smoke. Mild chocolate. First sense is sweet, but some lingering hops bitterness, the roast edge, and alcohol dry out the finish. Fairly fruity. Aftertaste has a low hops note and smoke that continues after the sip.”

Overall: “Bittersweet and chewy, this is a heavy hitter. The smoky notes provide additional body and fullness without coming across as a campfire or a rauchbier. The balance of the smoke in this beer in enjoyable. It is not over the top and it lets the chocolate notes come though. A light burnt note plays well with the smoke.”