Amalgam Underground Breakfast

Aromas of vanilla, caramel, coffee, chocolate, almond, roast malt, and bourbon-like oak notes up front. The flavor profile is much of the same with a bit more assertive oak character than the aroma with notes of vanil-la, caramel, and toasted marshmallow. The barrel qualities pair well with the base beer, and there’s a beauti-ful finish of chocolate, smoke, spice, and lingering, chewy sweetness. Noticeably alcoholic without being over-ly harsh. Fantastic complexity throughout. Definitely something to savor.

**Aroma:** “Very nice sweet malt character. Inviting oak aroma up front comes through as vanilla and a hint of almond or toffee. The vanilla is very nice and the chocolate notes (coming through as semisweet and dark chocolate) come through great. Nice roasty and some nutty quality, with some coffee flavors in the back. Bourbon, dark cherry, dark roast, alcohol.. Earthy hops low but noticeable. Light fruity yeast character.” **Flavor:** Lots of chocolate and vanilla carry through from start to finish and are complex and full. Dark fruity notes/cherry esters. Roast and malt character add a good back to the malt sweetness with some good toasty/roast quality. The oak (almost like almond or toffee) adds complexity and shines well; it mellows out the edges. The bourbon and oak blend well, but don’t dominate. Nice warmth in the finish. Vanilla and caramel are in full force but not cloying or annoying. Hops bitterness is appropriately low to make room for the major wood. Alcohol is noticeable but smooth and dangerous.” **Overall:** “The beer is a surprisingly balanced and complex stout that showcases sweet malt, vanilla, and chocolate really well with some nice dark fruit characters. The barrel character was showcased well, and the beer backed up the barrel. Nice and smooth and came together great. Tons of chocolate and vanilla with a restrained roasty character that helps to balance. Definitely seek this one out and share with friends.”

**Aroma:** “Bourbon barrel up front with notes of vanilla and almond. Coffee is very pleasant, with a note of espresso and fresh ground coffee beans. Malt sweetness helps balance coffee. The vanilla, slight coconut, and boozy character add complexity.” **Flavor:** “Coffee notes of espresso and barrel notes of bourbon blend nicely up front, with a bit of caramel malt sweetness to support. Finish is a bit sweet with a slight coffee lingering note. Initial chocolaty sweetness fades quickly. Light earthy hops bitterness. Coffee character is faintly nutty and caramel-like. Very smooth. Boozy warmth in the finish adds to this beer.” **Overall:** “A wonderful barrel-aged coffee stout that executes every aspect very well. Coffee is smooth, without being overly bitter or roasty. Caramel malt sweetness helps support. Very flavorful and complex.”