Fracking Blackstrap
5 Stones Artisan Brewery

 

 

another creative and beautifully executed brew from these guys, this one a big stout with molasses, cocoa nibs, and vanilla. the molasses really does flavor the beer a lot, they must have dosed it pretty heavy to get it to come through all the dark grain in here, which is mighty robust in its own right. i get deep roasted coffee, bitterness from the roast and also seemingly from the cocoa, with the vanilla and the molasses sweetening it up a bit, but it never gets too desserty or diabetic, and is a lot more drinkable than it sounds on paper like it should be. the flavor of the molasses in here is great, it adds a rich and interesting layer right in the middle of the malt complex, and they fermented the sugar down to a plenty tolerable level, a smart recipe and nicely executed. i think this would be really nice in a whiskey barrel, that oak and char would take this to another level. i was impressed with just about all the beers in here, they all offer something distinctive and even memorable. this is a really tasty and unique stout, way better than its ratings here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

No gushing here. Reasonable carbonation. Smell is a bit chemical but tastes fine. Not too sweet. Bitter like black coffee.

 

Bottle marked #2, 2015 at 42 degrees into snifter
Aroma of roasted malt and molasses, fades away before glass is half emptied
Head small (< two cm, aggressive pour), light brown, frothy, diminishing to irregular two to nine mm frothy ring and partial layer
Lacing good – torn curtains of tiny bubbles
Body dark brown/black, opaque
Flavor very heavy on the molasses, some roasted malt, some malt bitterness; no hops, no alcohol, no diacetyl
Palate full, syrupy, soft carbonation

Appearance 4.25, Aroma 3.75, Flavor 3.5, Palate 4, Overall 3.75

 

 

 

Did NOT gush. No carbonation issue whatsoever. Now, for the rest of the negative comments, I fear most are well founded. However, there are several sides to every story.

Looks decent with great color and a small fast fading head. I think that the nose is really good and the strong point of the beer. Lots of cocoa, deep chocolate, rich bold roasted grain, coffee and post. Nice nose; actually, a really nice nose.

Flavor profile is pretty basic bitter, almost sour pine hopped and not real appealing. Not a particularly good drink with an off bitter finish that unfortunately leaves you with a negative impression.

 

 

 

Gusher! Way over carbonated, took 20 mins to pour. When it did, pours a dark brown color with LOTS of khaki colored head. No signs of infection. Alkaline smell, some roasted malt and cocoa too; follows onto the palate. Finishes with an alkaline metallic taste.