Four Seasons Of Mother Earth - Winter 2016
Mother Earth Brew Co.

barrel aged oatmeal stout with coffee, pretty darn old now, but its fun to go back in this series, even if the beers arent all holding up super well. this looks light and thin for what it is, more brown than black in color, very little viscosity for the style, very short lived tan fizz layer on top, and some chunky sediment towards the bottom few inches in the bottle. it is without much roast to it in aroma and flavor, to me the coffee is the darkest element, the grain is more brown ale than stout, more chocolate than char, but i think it works to highlight the coffee, which is now ancient and oxidized in here, but still i didnt think this was bad, just super faded. its not real bourbon forward to me, but it is boozy as they get, especially without more from oats or middle malts balancing this out, the alcohol and some sweetness with it really stand out, almost a fire breather going down, but i get light toffee and vanilla notes in it that also flatter the coffee and add some depth. light green pepper, metallic tinge, and fusel alcohol sharpness, but there is also some mellow woody vibes, rich cocoa in place still, and a lightness to the whole thing, lighter than almost any imperial stout ive had before, im sure at least in part a product of its age, a little creamy body would be good here, but it was probably there when it was new. i miss these being in the bottles, better for keeping than the current cans they use for this series now, but this one was no doubt kept around a little too long. no coffee beer holds up this long, so it wasnt a surprise, i like the relative lightness of the roast in here, the warming strength, and the natural nutty and chocolate notes still present in the coffee. i bet this was great when it was new. ratings dont mean much for a beer like this, cant be too harsh or too speculative about what it might have been. fun to share around the table...

The beer is 53 degrees and served in a tulip glass. The head of the beer is one finger and is medium tan color. The head has poor retention and left no lacing on the glass. The head dissipated to a tan ring on the beer. The beer is SRM 40, black with dark brown hues. The clarity of the beer is opaque. The beer has a few carbonations bubbles on the sides of the glass.

Huge dark roasted coffee, molasses, dark chocolate, vanilla, wood, earthiness, caramel, toasted malt, roasted malts, char, orange, floral, bready, burnt sugar, nutty, baking spices, dark stone fruit, and yeast for the aromas.

Huge dark chocolate, nutty, dark roasted malt, wood, vanilla, earthy, caramel, roasted malts, oranges, bready, burnt sugar, baking spices, yeast, resin, herbal, and char note.

The mouthfeel of the beer is thick and coating.
The body of the beer is full, medium-plus carbonation, and a long finish.
The beer has mixed emotions for me. The beer is like a porter crossed with a stout. I expected a thick and chewy beer with character. The beer is balanced but not harmonious. I am glad that I got the chance to drink it.

 

 

....very well done imperial stout....

 

 

 

 

Pours black with a little less then a finger of caramel-colored head. Head fizzes up, and retains okay. Lacing is doted around the glass in no sort of order. Upon the second pour from the bomber, a thick, two finger foamy head formed. Pour was aggressive, and nearly straight into the glass. Nice retention once the head forms. Aroma is coffee, toasted and roasted malts, and caramel. Flavor profile is very similar, with coffee, caramel, and toasted and roasted malts. Well put together, but with little complexity or depth, which makes it easy to consume and enjoy. Mouth feel is smooth and somewhat creamy with a little bit of grain to it. It has a medium thickness to it. Overall, a well performing stout all around. Feel is great, with solid aroma and flavor.

Served in a 12oz snifter.