Caramel Stout
Upright Brewing Company

8-ounce pour enjoyed on cask at Belmont Station in Portland, OR.

Opaque black-brown body with red-brown highlights and a tall crown of fluffy tan foam that leaves copious lacing. The nose is roasted malt, black coffee, chocolate shavings, and a morsel of butterscotch. The flavor doubles down on the dark malt and slightly acrid coffee. These flavors are lightened with cream and sweetened with a ripple of caramel. (Not too sweet!) The sweetness drops by half in the middle. A delicate plum note comes through with resurgent roasted malt and bittersweet chocolate in the slightly chalky finish. There's a nice hint of licorice in the long, dry, malty aftertaste. The mouthfeel is just gorgeous: medium-bodied, round, slightly chewy, with a superb silky texture. Upright Brewing is in its last days, but beers like this prove they are still at the top of their game across a wide range of styles.