Panda
Rhinegeist Brewery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pours dark with a thin caramel head. Has a malt forward smell, with a nice blend and finish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creamy mouthfeel, interesting taste; can't quite put my finger on it, but definitely better as it warms up.

Straight out of its natural habitat, this panda of a beer represents the best about London brewing. Bold and roasty with a creamy, oaty temperament. Because when we all think about pandas, we certainly think about Great Brittan.

Panda pour a deep and dark garnet, easily mistaken for black. Its dense blanket of foam coats the surface and emits the earthy and emboldened aromas of coffee, cocoa, walnut, grilled dark fruit and burnt toast. But once its light and creamy sweetness smothers the tongue, a delightful taste of burnt marshmallows assumes.

And as the beautifully charred sweetness slowly relaxes, the earthy flavors gain steam, starting with bold French-press coffee, followed by baker's chocolate, then roasted walnuts, and finally drying into a burnt toast flavor. Its slightly acrid bite is rounded smooth by the fluffy and starchy malt armatures that keep the taste balanced and properly supported.

Creamy and largely velvety, the full-bodied stout keeps a nougat-like texture and taste despite its tendency to dry into a completely arid and ashy mouthfeel. Though cleanly and malty, the stout is surprisingly drinkable and effortless on the palate. But, ts mild warmth and trailing taste of roasted currant and chicory hop bitterness keep the complexities coming, even deep in aftertaste.

Pours dark brown, just about black, with a khaki head. Aroma offers some roast that is a mixture of some coffee and bakers chocolate, nutty, caramel, and the sugars from the oats. Flavor follows suit. A creamy, medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, for being just over 5% abv they did a great job with this one. This one lands on the sweeter end for the style, but it works. The low abv probably helps keep the sweetness in check. Very nice oatmeal stout.