Toffee Break
Prairie Artisan Ales

Poured from a 16 oz can from the Prairie OKC Taproom in Oklahoma City, OK.

Super dark beer the color of used motor oil, but it appears clear where light penetrates around the edges. No head, just a tiny bit of bubbling and foam on the initial pour, which is not unusual for a beer of this strength. Aroma is a giant hit of toffee, caramel and chocolate, giving an impression of overwhelming sweetness. Thankfully, the flavors and mouthfeel do not deliver that full sweetness, although there is a certain amount. There is plenty of caramel and toffee, with chocolate and some other stout-like, burnt grain flavors at much lower levels. There may be a hint of salt, or perhaps the flavors just remind me so much of a salted caramel candy that I am imagining some salt. Thick body, with some mouth-coating sweetness, but not overly cloying. No hops bitterness asserts itself, but there must be some helping to keep the sweetness in check. Some alcohol warmth, but surprisingly little for this ABV.

This is an interesting flavor experiment, and the Heath Bar does show up very well, but I'd prefer to see those flavors brought down a notch to emphasize the base beer a bit more. As it is, a full pint was a bit too much of a good thing for me.