The Spice
The Bruery

A: Poured into a snifter to a black beer which is topped by a dense and s;ightly rocky two fingers of dense light tan head which fades slowly to a collar around the edge of the glass with minimal lacing
S: Smells of chocolate, faded vanilla, some bourbon barrels, and a little roasted malt along with a slight herbal note
T: Taste is chocolate, vanilla, roasted malts, a little oak, some caramel, and what seems like a floral and herbal note from the thyme. On the finish there's more chocolate, vanilla, herbal floralness, lingering oak, and roasted malts.
M: This beer has a body which is on the lighter side of medium. Carbonation is on the low end but it is adequate for the style while the beer has a drying finish.
O: Overall this is pretty interesting. It's a pleasant twist on what would have been a straightforward beer. I don't know if it's additive or subtractive though. I could see how it could be a little polarizing, but I will give them credit for it being well integrated.

I think this was a bottle brought to a Nevada football tailgate about a year ago, September 2022. Man that team sucked. This year doesn't look much better.

Pours a dark brown and black mixture of color. Hits the lighter brown head note, 2/5" deep. Elvis Costello sang about opportunity. Tom Waits sang about not wanting to grow up. Its a good looking stout. The aroma brings some of that "spice" thing they named the beer after. Usual notes of bourbon, vanilla, but then like, thyme.

The taste goes better than expected, the thyme is noticeable but does not detract from a decent bourbon mouth feel that isn't too boozy or strong. Roasted barley still permeates. Kind of reminds me of the So Happens its Tuesday beer, but with thyme. That is a pretty decent comparison. The abv while high, is relatively low for the Bruery, and its another one that isn't as challenging as it could be.

Imagine still dating discarded 40 year olds on apps. Do better.

750 ml bottle, 2020 vintage, bottled 06/26/20. Served in a snifter, the beer pours dark brown/black with about a couple inch tan head. Head retention and lacing are both pretty good. The brew smells like bourbon, vanilla, cacao nibs, thyme and roasted malt. For the most part I think the taste is similar to the aroma, but with the addition of some coffee and dark bready flavors. The thyme is noticeable, but to me all the flavors mesh well with each other and no one flavor is overpowering. Mouthfeel/body is medium/full, it's a bit creamy and coating with a moderate amount of carbonation. I thought it was a good imperial stout, wish I was able to try this fresher. Hopefully this brew will be made again in the future!