Four Seasons Of Mother Earth - Spring 2024
Mother Earth Brew Co.

enormous brown ale with coconut, cocoa nibs, and coffee, aged in bourbon barrels, really flavorful, and an amazing night cap, one of the better beers ive had from this series in awhile, still exceedingly sweet, but to be sharing a single pour around the table feels right for it, bold in flavor but it actually isnt all that boozy for being this strong, even at temperature. dark brown with some deep mahogany color in it, short off white head, high gloss. the nose is coconut and chocolate forward, the coffee even lends to the chocolate character, not super bitter or roasty, just delicious, desserty for sure, some vanilla from the bourbon but neither super whiskey or wood forward, the barrel treatment is an accent at most, almost seems more like neutral oak, like they are reusing barrels or something, not a highlight in this, but the rest of it rules. i get caramel and hazelnut in the nose too, the coffee is subtle, the coconut sweet and definitely toasted, comes together very well. the flavor too is so nice, the coffee in service of the chocolate, and it ends up being coconut and chocolate together that lead, rich but not all that heavy in body for what it is, nuances of amaretto, maple, and molasses, and good grain complexity, chocolate malt, dark bread, and a lighter low end, cool its a brown and not a porter or stout, the coffee picks up some of that low end, but its gorgeously complex, smooth, and long even without the darker malt. this warms up well, is only a little bit boozy for how strong it really is, and doesnt linger too long really. some of these four seasons beers have been diabetic, but this is a bit more drinkable believe it or not. wonderful coconut profile at the very center of this. super well done!

Draft at Boise taproom. Muddy brown pour with small beige head that settles out to a ring. Luscious chocolaty aroma, light coffee notes, sweet. Taste is mocha latte, smooth and sweet, creamy and not overly boozy. Really sumptuous.

16oz can pours with caramel-highlights and an ample head of tight-bubbled khaki lace. The nose smacks you with sweetness and decadence...wow, wasn't expecting it to be this strong with chocolate and coconut candy, this is nuts...the palate is just as sweet, rich and cloying with strong coconut flavors and accompanying raisins, dates, nuts, chocolate, caramel, hazelnut, and a desserty sweetness and vanilla booze. The palate on this is hugely reminiscent of Crater Lake Hazelnut Espresso Vodka, like exactly the same...my mind and palate are experiencing a ton of nostalgia right now.

A really nice, sweet, decadent offering, but too cloying and not enough traditional brown ale characteristics for me. Couldn't finish the 16oz can myself, and I was really stoked to try this one. Still - I'm sure this accomplished what Mother Earth was going for.