Zaftig Bourbon Stout
Zaftig Brewing Co.

12 ounce bottle, Batch 117 stamped on the label, 2017 vintage. Served in a snifter, the beer pours dark brown/black with about a half inch tan head that stuck around a little while. There's a small amount of lacing. Aroma is nice, the brew smells like bourbon, vanilla, roasted malt, chocolate, oak and earthiness. Taste is similar to the aroma, with bourbon, vanilla, roasted malt, oak, chocolate, earthy, licorice and coffee flavors noticeable. Mouthfeel/body is full, it's slick and a bit creamy with a moderate amount of carbonation. It's also smooth and pretty easy to drink for the 10% ABV. I thought this was a pretty good barrel aged stout, I'm a fan of Zaftig's stouts in general and this is one of their best that I've tried. Definitely worth getting a bottle if you come across some. $8.99 a bottle.

Appearance is a slightly hazier cola black with red edges under a quick to die head that leaves only a thin chain around the edge.

This seems very mocha forward, but the sign at FOBAB clearly states this is regular ZBS. Either way, it's pretty tasty, but all kinds of chocolate and coffee assault the senses ahead of any barrel. Maybe the coffee is from the malt and char interplay, or maybe I'm reviewing the wrong beer. That said, a bit of drying oak does surface as it warms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Had on tap. Darkness rules in appearance and smell, giving off vibes of bourbon, licorice, dark chocolate, coffee and thick malt. The taste however is not as sweet as expected which is really nice, but it also is not as balanced and is a bit hot in the booze. Thick and chewy in feel

 

 

Review from notes, Sample at The Microbrew Invitational 6/3/2017
Deep black color tan head. Chocolate earthy roasty licorice vanilla and light oak, Lots going on. I'd love to try this again.