Razzmatazz Chocolate Rasberry Stout
Kokopelli Beer Company

 

these guys seem to really be going the way of flavored beer. this is one of about fifteen beers that have flavors added. i think they use syrups and extracts, rather than whole or fresh fruit and stuff for these, but they taste good, so even though this isnt my thing at all, i really like the ones i have had, and this may be the best of that lot. the raspberry comes through brightly, sweet and only a little tangy, and the chocolate is rich but not overly sweet, more raw and bitter, which goes really well in the roast and tastes good on the whole. it smells just like it tastes, a common feature among these types of beers. the balance between the additives and the beer itself is great, not cloying at all, but also not the least but subtle. i actually like it quite a bit, despite being a little turned off by the process of these types. raspberry lingers in the finish, and it feels like dessert, more of a sipper than a beer to have very much of, but they have done a nice job of blending in these bold flavors, and i really think its very good for what it is. not too heavy in the mouthfeel either, which really helps it too. good stuff on the whole, but id like to try just the base stout next to it, i suspect it doesnt need the extra stuff to be delicious.