Imperial Eclipse Stout - Mocha Nut (2018)
FiftyFifty Brewing Co.

This offering was my second, and likely last, Eclipse variant.

Like the Apple Brandy variant I sampled earlier this year, the stout-like qualities are solid, if not above average. However, the barrel notes are seriously lacking. The mocha nose and flavor was present but not comparable to other top tier chocolate/coffee stouts.

For a beer that commands the high price tag of these variants, the flavors should be more bold and outstanding.

A: Poured into a snifter to a black beer topped by a dense and slightly rocky two finger light tan head that retains well and fades slowly to a collar around the edge of the glass with minimal lacing. This one tried to leave the bottle on me after removing the cap so be aware when you open this that it's a slow gusher.
S: Smells of coffee and chocolate with a hint of coconut and oak from the bourbon barrel.
T: Taste is lots of coffee up front with some chocolate and coconut coming through. Nice oak from the barrel along with some smooth vanilla and sweet caramel. Coconut comes back around toward the end. On the swallow there's more coffee and chocolate with lingering coconut, oak, and vanilla.
M: This beer is on the heavier side of medium in body with a slightly silky feel. Carbonation is a little higher than it needs to be but that wasn't a surprise. The beer has a drying finish which is expected for the style and ABV.
O: Overall this is a really nice beer. It's a little coffee forward but the supporting adjuncts were able to come out to play a little. Really nice complexity but a tad overcarbonated for the style. Still worth a try though.

My first Eclipse. Coconut, vanilla, dark chocolate, and bourbon are all discernible with the first two most prominent. There was an occasional, fant, tart fruit note that seemed out of place. I couldn't find any coffee here. Tasty enough, but doesn't stand out from the pack.

 

This was aged 6 months in Bourbon barrels and finished with cocoa nibs, coffee, and coconut.
On tap at Churchkey, DC. An opaque dark brown with a one-finger khaki head that receeded quickly. Coconut dominated the nose, followed by vanilla and bourbon. The taste was balanced with elements of chocolate, coconut, vanilla, and whiskey all present. Not too sweet but full-bodied. A nice sipper.