Orca: Chocolate
Finback Brewery - Glendale

 

Poured a viscous, inky black, with minimal brown head. No light shines through, and as you swirl it in the glass, minuscule bubbles rise to the surface like a silky film.

You can smell this beer the moment you pour it. Huge barrel presence, tons of oaky coconut, vanilla and dark chocolate. Brownie batter with espresso powder, and chocolate chip cookie dough. I could smell this for hours, but if it smells this good, I can’t imagine how it tastes.

Mind blown. The kind of beer you taste, and immediately close your eyes in disbelief. The balance, and the subtlety of the added chocolate and vanilla is perfect. They let the barrel shine, and didn’t overpower it with sweet additives. It complements the oaky vanillin and toasted bitterness of the barrels. The sweetness is tamed, even as it warms. On the finish, there is an awesome dark chocolate bitterness, and just enough alcohol burn to remind you that it’s 13%. Flawless.

Mouthfeel is very smooth, with a pleasant dryness from the dark chocolate and roasted malt. Sticky on your lips, but not cloying on the palate.

Brilliant, brilliant beer. Finback is killing it right now.