Merry Cherry Stout
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

All I could think about with this was spiced pie crust, like Christmas dessert that eschews decadence in favor of big spice flavors and blackened malt. It's actually a really nice combo, perhaps veering on a bit too much spice, the bitters clearly the strong partner in this outfit, but ultimately reining it all in, tinged with just enough cherry and barrel notes to give this some depth. Great jet black body with an appetizing layer of creamy foam. Body is thin, though for a beer this size that's spent time in the barrel (and is a couple years old at this point), that's to be expected. Bottom line: this is exactly as advertised -- spiced cherry bitters melding with stout for good, old-fashioned holiday fun.

 

 

 

 

 

Fig newton beer, weird but I kinda like it.

 

Super dark barrel aged stout, a tiny tinge of amber around the edges. Head dissipated quickly. The cherry bitters pop in the aroma...almost reminiscent of Merichino cherries, along with smooth vanilla sweetness. Flavor is a smooth blend of vanilla, light oak, dark sweet cherries. Wow!