Moral Turpitude
Yonkers Brewing Co.

This stuff pours like motor oil. Thick and viscous. The crowler was too cold initially so the head was small but there is surprising amount of lacing for such a high abv. Not surprising is the sticky liquid coating my glass like a thin syrup. The head fades quickly to a ring and a light wisp swirling around on top. Super dark brown liquid with a medium dark brown head and a surprising amount of carbonation evident as I take each sip. The second pour is considerably better looking as it is at a proper cellar temperature. The head is thickish at several fingers high. The lacing changes from lots of polka dots to copious sheets and streaks. The fade is slower, the ring is thicker and the covering shifts to a complete frosting of the top of the brew. Lovely.

Nose is a sweet molasses confection. Lots of dinner roll dough with light yeast. Coffee and subtle chocolate notes flow form a complex platform for brown bread and a bit of toffee. Intriguingly mild roasted notes of barley as well as light pepper and phantom alcohol add spice and complexity.

Taste is somehow a novel take on an old style. Rich chewy malt with a huge, doughy, dark bread center. Sweet molasses and toffee feed into a heavy mocha flavor that is the real signature of this brew. Coffee is the front player and it is a luscious brew, dark roast and smooth. The chocolate is a background player here, as a good mocha should be. Background or not, it underpins the back part of the beer so well. A tiny bit of unexpected mild, dark fruit flashes and disappears as the hops show forth. Hops are quite firm, while remaining smooth, earthy and dry; painting the finish in a clean, mouth scrubbing swallow. Alcohol is so well incorporated that you can't find it. It's the thickness more that the abv the has you sipping this one. If you are into chugging big stouts beware, you get no notice from the brew of its firepower.

Feel is thick and velvety. You actually take bigger sips than you should because it is so delightful in your mouth. A full feel with a smooth, active and microfine carbonation . A bit of syrup and a hefty, chewy weight give a nod to the OG. The overall drink is inexplainable is its crisp, quenching feel but I'm loving it. It has me going back to the well way to soon and revelling in each sip. WAY too drinkable and bring more please.

This is a benchmark take on this style. There are plenty of big RISs, but few that take the basics and do so much with them. I'll offer this anytime in the company of any barrel aged brew you can think of, and sit confidently in your delight with what your experience will be. This is a superlative, sophisticated brew that can sit on the world stage and hold its own. Excellent job YBC.