Schlafly The Variant
What the brewers say
“Aged in port-wine barrels, this stout is dark in appearance, full-bodied, and brimming with complex, intriguing flavors.”
What our panel thought
Aroma: “Roast, chocolate with a strong oak/barrel character. After the damp wood drops back, there is some raisin and fruit of the port. Mild vanilla, moderate sherry, spicy alcohol, and fruity esters add a little more encouragement to take a sip.”
Flavor: “A fairly typical barrel-aged stout, with sweet coffee roast, light cocoa, and barrel character. The port accentuates the cherry fruitiness and alcoholic warmth. Finish is mocha and booze. Mmmm, booze.”
Overall: “The strong roast character and spicy barrel qualities stop just short of being overly aggressive. They cut the underlying sweetness nicely and lead to a complex lingering finish.”