Base Weight - Cocoa Nibs And Vanilla Beans
Side Project Brewing

 

 

 

13 oz. can. Black body. Smells of brown malts, vanilla, and lots of chocolate. Tastes of vanilla up front. Some brown malts with a little bread. Chocolate rounds it out. Lingering vanilla and bitterness. Medium body. Not as good as the base Base Weight. The adjuncts aren't really helping here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Tap. Extremely Delicious.

 

 

served on the cask, this is brilliant. i have long been a huge fan of the original base weight, its just such a perfect example of the style. this special edition with nibs and beans is next level though, neither of these are overdone in the least, its still so soft and drinkable, dry, not desserty in the least, i feel like these additives are so well integrated and in balance, they dont change this as much as they usually change a base beer, an additional testament to how good this is on its own. i like the added bitterness of the cocoa nibs along with the roast of the malt, faint smoke and baking chocolate bitterness, just great, even woody. the vanilla is amazingly natural and subtle, nothing forced about it at all, really sensational addition that brings just a little sweetness against the cocoa bitter, and seems to contribute some serious depth to the grain base, it brings out more of it. smooth as can be from the cask, a perfect medium for a beer like this, as rarely as we see it done this way, its brilliant. i still get the almond and fudge notes i got in the base, some oats i think in the mash too, beautiful depth and integration, rich but shockingly dry, real drinkable for what it is, and just an obvious degree of quality above just about everything else out there. this is their best beer right now i think!

 

 

 

poured from a 12oz bottle into a half pint. pours a shiny black with dark brown head. smell is a wonderful aroma of dry roastiness, cocoa powder and slight vanilla. taste is a combination of roast and sweetness. feel is good for the style. not watery thin but not sticky thick like a stout. not too bubbly. really nice and rich porter that maintains drinkability throughout the entire can without getting overly sweet or boring.