Grandma Van’s Candy Cane Stout
Epic Brewing Company

Found this on a sale shelf in South Philadelphia. Pretty large distributor that’s supposed to have, “almost everything,” with glaring omissions from Lancaster, Evil Genius, Boulevard, Saugutuck and others. How do you carry the Neapolitan Stout but not Blueberry Maple?
Whatever the case, I grabbed four pints for $9.99.
Look is as expected. Dark, motor oil, completely opaque. Smell is interesting, actually, because I wasn’t expecting to pick up the mint as well as I did. Kinda smells like one of those peppermint bark candies. Regular dark malts and roasted coffee are forward. Subtle chocolate. The taste is almost exactly reversed. Chocolate and chocolate malt first, then coffee, maybe some caramel and subtle mint. Just enough to notice it. It’s only 6% so the carbonation survives pretty well. I kinda like the crispness. I have become fond of sparkling wine lately and the carbonation is refreshing. It’s still on the heavy side.
I am glad I grabbed it. I see it’s retired. But it looks like a limited production to begin with. Probably won’t see it again. I uploaded a photo for posterity. Pending approval?

 

 

No idea how this got to Salem.
16 oz. can from Lifesource natural Grocers in Salem OR
$2.99
Handsome looking beer in the old shaker glass.Black body wit a nicely proportioned crreamy tan head.
This almost smells like chocolate cake with peppermint icing. Really cool.
Taste is similar but less of the peppermint, though it does re-appear right at the end..
Mouth feel is medium and carbonation medium low.
I liked this one its pretty tasty but not over the top and the alc level is reasonable.

i thought this was quite good, and i appreciate it being relatively subtle. nice to taste the coffee in front of the peppermint, unexpected, novo does an awesome job and i miss their java, so this was doubly good for that reason. the peppermint is natural and appreciably restrained, seems less fashionable this year with rogue and unita and others out there, but i like it being held back some, its mostly on the finish, mostly as it warms, but this also could have faded since it likely was meant for holiday time and we are well past that now. i get more chocolate from the grain than any that was added, more bitter and earthy than milky, candy-like, and sweet, all of which i appreciate, also fully complimentary to the coffee. this does taste a little oxidized as it sits, but the overall quality is there, no surprise from epic. also cool that this is so low in alcohol, especially with all this flavor, it could easily be 8% abv or higher and hold on just fine, but this allows for a bit more drinkability. i like the complexity of the grain base, the lower key peppermint element, the high end coffee addition, and the overall smoothness of the beer. glad this came to idaho!

Look: Pours a midnight black with a thin birch-colored head that quickly dissipated.

Smell: I’m getting more of the roasted coffee beans on the nose over anything else. Hints of peppermint and caramel.

Taste: Roasted coffee with notes of chocolate, malt, and peppermint. With peppermint stouts they tend to be either very artificially flavored or like a more classic stout with hints of peppermint; this one is the latter (in a good way).

Feel: This runs only 6.0% ABV and is pretty thin for a stout. I prefer stouts on the heavier side but this one is admittedly smooth and easy to drink.

Overall this beer is not a grand slam but it’s a solid offering from Epic. Would recommend picking this up during the holidays if you’re feeling festive.

 

I never had a grandma like this, but I wish I had had...

...Honestly, this was a decent beer. It wasn't spectacular but it was certainly good. The smell had this nice cooling effect from the peppermint in the nose that was super unique. I had never experienced such a thing. But for the rest of it? Solid. A definite to have on hand and to hand to someone who might be introduced to craft during this special time of the year.

This was beer #22 (Dec 22nd) of my advent pack that a bought from my local beer store just around the corner. It poured an opaque dark with tan head that is not leaving much lace. The scent had subtle peppermint notes. The taste was nicely balanced and easy to drink with stout malt base and peppermint highlights. The mouthfeel was lighter in body with good carbonation. Overall it is a good beer.

 

Grandpa (actually Opa) Bob (yours, truly) is pleased. Thanks Grandma.

It's black as expected, slightly fizzy and a little thin looking. The aroma is subdued but clean. It tastes like a very roasty stout with a tad of peppermint thrown in. It helps take the edge off. It goes down fairly easily and won't have to be the last brew you drink for the night (will be for me, though).

Recommended. Pricey.