Imperial Moon Butter (Barrel-Aged)
Angry Chair Brewing

 

 

 

2020 vintage (released on 9/26/20, so presumably bottled within a few days of that date); consumed on 12/14/20

Pours a thick, glossy jet-black body capped with barely a half-finger of rich, creamy, dark tan foam; below-average head retention leaves a slight island of paper-thin cap, a creamy, moderate collar, and minimal lacing holding with any longevity to the walls of the glass.

Aroma opens with rich, semi-chunky peanut butter nearly overwhelming the senses, while a dustier, more concentrated progression of PB2 leans into vivid notes of bakers chocolate accented with bourbon-soaked vanilla beans and suggestions of hazelnut; a subtle, roasty malt proceeds cleanly against a densely concentrated yet paradoxically well-kept sweetness throughout, with touches of brownie batter marking the back end and more rounded, oakier tones of bourbon closing the bouquet.

Taste offers layered raw cacao and bakers chocolate against a raw, young bourbon bite easing through the profile upfront as the mid-palate amplifies indulgently with notes of chocolate mousse into creamy peanut butter; a mild-moderate barrel char creeping in, bringing hints of coffee roast to a back end carrying distant tinges of figgy syrup and blueberry compote; dusty barrel and rich bakers chocolate with oily peanut esters linger beyond the finish.

Mouthfeel brings a full body, softly coating the palate and largely loading over the minimal tingle of carbonation present; a steadily slick texture evolves with a wisp of char over mid-palate for a balanced heft to a back end somewhat oily, teasing stickiness before drying casually through a mild, warming finish; stunningly approachable character in a sweet stout.

A pure sweetness and robust body glide in unison across the palate in a genuine showcase of equilibrium of (near-) extremes in a dessert stout; this is a spectacular display of a more decadent type of peanut butter beer without the overbearing richness expected of a sweet stout at this ABV.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I found this to be a surprisingly massive step up from the regular version. It may have been too old, presenting unusual flavors, but it was on draft at an Angry Chair event in Tampa, so it wasn't my fault.

This barrel aged version out of the bottle, however, was stellar. The peanut was totally on point--roasty and nutty and almost even hazelnutty--with the chocolatey base nearly bringing it into buckeye territory. Fluffy and not too sticky, it goes down satisfyingly well.

 

 

 

It's very good but could still use more peanut butter :)