Hoppin' Frog Brewery T.O.R.I.S. The Tyrant

**Aroma:** “A rich roast malt, with licorice and coffee, and a hoppy backbone. Cherry esters with dark sweet cherry, and perhaps some date and prune notes are present as well. Woody, earthy hops aroma, with tobacco and leather. A hint of sweetness makes this smell like a Tootsie Roll.” **Flavor:** “Big and sweet, like a malted milk ball. Moderate mocha flavor, with a good balance of chocolate and coffee, with a bit of char present. Some dark stone fruit sweetness of dried cherry and chocolate peek through to bring some balance. The hops bitterness is medium and balanced, perhaps a bit stronger than I’d expect. The body is a little thin, with strong alcohol warmth, which lingers on the back of your throat. A bit harsh on the finish.” **Overall:** “Assign your favorite synonym for massive—this is a big, viscous (or vicious?) stout that’s just for sipping. Still, it’s fairly smooth. Starts with a nice complex aroma and flavor, but shifts to being a bit over-roasted, to the point of being burnt. A very tasty beer.”

Thick molasses nose, rich chocolate cream, savory roast nuts, toasted marshmallow. Luxurious, cottony texture, like drinking taffy.

__Aroma:__ “Rich sweet notes of cherries make it smell like a cherry cordial. Some high dark chocolate aroma dominates the notes, with some raisin, plum, and slight vanilla presence, with a bit of toast.” __Flavor:__ “The notes of chocolate and cherries dominate and carry through the beer—the cherries are bright and sweet, and the chocolate is light and milky. Fruit esters (cherry, raisin, and plum) dominate the mid-palate and give a round and sweet flavor throughout. Roast is thin and light in the back, with little to no hops presence outside of the finish.” __Overall:__ “A very fun beer—I enjoyed the blend of cherries and chocolate, and as it warmed, it tasted like chocolate- covered cherries. It’s a great sweet and chewy stout with fruity esters to balance the roast. Would love an imperial version, with boosted flavors.”