Origin of Darkness - Donut Monster
Collective Arts Brewing

Pretty in-line pastry stout holding in after 4 something years. Getting the bourbon, Vanilla, chocolate, and tamed moderate coconut. Lactose not harming much

 

500 ml bottle from the brewery in Hamilton - 2 years age on this and did hurt in any manner.
Pours black and viscous with solid finger of reddish brown creamy head.
Nose hits with the bourbon, rich vanilla, coconut, and brown sugar.
Tastes of bourbon soaked vanilla, brown sugar sweetness, sweet coconut milk and hints of chocolate - very little bitterness.
Smooth full mouthfeel - a bit of boozy heat - vanilla sweetness but not cloying - a wonderful sipper from CA.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well it is sweet, but it is missing depth. The taste has bourbon, coconut, vanilla, sugar, sweetbread and chocolate. No barrel at all, and the bourbon fades almost immediately. The smell captured the vision more, really smelling like a coconut donut with chocolate. Body is a little thin, sneaky bready, and has a sweetness that coats the teeth. Was oping for more complexity and intensity, but solid

 

 

 

Hits all the appearance marks, pitch black with a copper foam head that settles in pretty quick to just hints of lacing and a thin foam cap. Nose starts a touch hot before an intoxicating sweet powder sugar and vanilla takes over. Tastes impossible. So much vanilla before the coconut thoroughly displaces said vanilla. Coconut fades into a blend of nutty coffee and earthy bitterness. This beauty falls off just a bit in the feel as it seems a but thin and flat on exit. Aftertaste is almost entirely dark chocolate, like that 86% stuff.

An interesting collaboration with a local donut shop, so I'm expecting a full-on pastry stout. The result is definitely on the sweet side, but still somewhat balanced, with a delectable toasted coconut nose. I enjoy sniffing it more than I do drinking it, but both elements are quite nice.

 

 

 

Appearance: poured pitch black in color with thick looking viscosity. Very little foam after pouring.

Aroma: when chilled, its kind of metallic first. But as it warmed up, the metal faded away and malted milk chocolate became more prominent with a bit of vanilla on the side. There is an essence of carmel from the bourbon nearing the finish.

Taste: picked up some malted milk chocolate - sugary and sweet with a lactose presence. Sweet vanilla is present but not as much as I expected. The bourbon comes in at ease at the very finish with notes of carmel and oak.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied, very little carbonation.

Overall: kind of missing the coconut. But for a vanilla barrel aged stout, this is solid!