O2 Kolaboracija Caramel Stout
Kabinet Brewery

Dark as night, very thin brown foam,few bubbles.
Highly aromatic. Cherry like alcohol in the nose, very strong.Also some chocolate.
Warm finish, coffee and chocolate in the taste. Medium body, very strong in alcohol.

Really special beer, for a special occasion.

 

My second tasting of Kabinet Brewery (Serbia) at Skopje (Macedonia) Beer Fest.
A very interesting brew indeed. There is a strong and intense brandy, that is found in the Balkans, that is called Rakija. This brew is aged in Rakija barrels and uses caramel.
It pours a black viscous motor oil color. No head during the pour , however, within seconds a tan film materializes and with a thin ring lacing.
In the nose their is a strong barley sweetness, almost like grains that have just been steeped to make wort. There is also the aroma of caramel, roasted malts, apples and brandy. Overall there is a creamy lactose quality like a milk/sweet stout.
The caramel- real caramel and not caramel malt mind you- and lactose sweetness, almost cloying, at first. Full bodied and robust; definitely a sipper. The carbonation is gentle and even dissipates towards the end. A bold and complex brew that takes on different stages. Midway a moderate roasty quality begins to balance out the sweetness. Even more interesting is the gradual emergence of the spicy and oaky quality derived from the Rakija barrels. However, unlike Rakija, which has an intense alcohol burn, this one is smooth and belies the 10% ABV.
Interesting indeed. Not the easiest to drink considering the sweetness and strong Rakija spice. However, I appreciate its unique qualities and the brewer's attempt at creating something new. I would definitely have it again.

A well rounded vanilla caramel dark chocolate tastes with a pleasant hint of oak, a truly superb barred aged beer.