Ralphius - White Chocolate Macadamia
Free Will Brewing Co.

 

 

 

 

Im sampling a 250 ml can at cellar temp poured into my snifter. Im not sure Ive had a beer in this serving size before, its interesting, and makes these higher ABV beers much more approachable for drinking.
The beer pours a dark cola brown color and a frothy tan head of .5 cm foams up even with an aggressive pour. This foam fades to a sturdy edge layer and some spinning islands on the surface. No light passes through my glass when I hold it up and tight lattice forms when I swirl the glass or take a sip.
The aroma is bold on this beer. I get chocolate, bourbon and vanilla mixing with some caramel and a nutty scent that I attribute to macadamia nuts, but sort of reminds me of almonds actually. Not really any fusol alcohol notes and the hops dont make a showing here either. A fairly sweet and malty nose on this big stout.
The first sip reveals a light to medium body that is much lighter than I would have anticipated, the carbonation is fine and gentle on my palate. This beer drinks too easy from physical traits. Dangerous for 14% ABV.
Flavor is sweet malt up front and throughout the sampling. I get sweet chocolate, caramel and some brown sugary notes up front, then sweeter chocolate and vanilla, some bourbon and the nut flavor comes through on the finish, Im sure it is macadamia, but I keep thinking of almonds when I taste it too. The ABV comes through a little with warming in my belly, but otherwise booze is sneaky. Hops absent in the flavor profile as well.
this is an easy drinking sweeter imperial stout that hides its booze. Glad to have tried another variant of this already solid base beer from Free Will.

 

Matte black with a thin dark mocha head that quickly dissipates into a modest crown. No lacing.

Delicious aroma with lots of bourbon, caramel, chocolate, macadamia and even some floral rose.

The floral element carries over to the taste. The chocolate definitely gives a white chocolate impression, which isn’t my personal favorite. There’s a little nuttiness, but it’s not as clear as in the nose. Coffee bitterness rounds out the finish.

Medium bodied and slightly slick feeling with a nice burst of carbonation.

Definitely one of the more interesting variants. The taste wasn’t as impressive as the aroma, IMO, though.

 

Dark brown/black appearance, very modest tan head, no lacing, oily residue. The chocolate and vanilla in this one makes it a hair too sweet, and blunts the macadamias. Medium body, moderate carbonation.