Fluff's Travels S'Mores Stout
Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery

i wanted to like this a whole lot more than i did, we all did. for one, who puts cinnamon in a smore? that is not a traditional ingredient, even with those sugary cinnamon graham crackers it doesnt make a lot of sense, and unfortunately, the cinnamon is the dominant flavor note in this, even bitter and intense towards the finish, staying long in the aftertaste, and sort of seeming out of place to all of us who pass this pint around the table at vine street. on the plus side, its not sugary at all, even oddly dry for what it is, so many of these get real desserty and diabetic, but this one keeps more of an earthy cocoa character than a sweet fudge chocolate complexion, and i think thats to its credit. there is also a little pinch of smoked malt in here that gives it the warming campfire complexion i want with a smore, so thats cool too, but the cinnamon kind of ruins it for me. its not so intense, but it doesnt really belong here at all, thats the thing. bad idea, even if the execution is fine. i dont really get the marshmallow aspect because there isnt much sweetness here, and the bitter roast of the dark grain along with the bitter cinnamon doesnt it leave it tasting much like a smore. i do get a little vanilla, and i like that being kind of subtle. the base stout is fine too, lighter bodied than expected in one of these dessert themed beers, it would be drinkable if the flavor was more dialed in. overall a cool idea and i get the need to have some exciting stuff for stout month, but the cinnamon makes no sense in here...