The Last Jed-Rye
Declaration Brewing Company

a few tweaks away from optimal, but this is both a robust and interesting beer, and its dang tasty even if its not quite as refined as it could be. its shiny black in the glass, smells really sweet, but also has some great spicy rye to the nose, i have not seen these two elements set against (or with, depending on perspective) each other very often out there, but it makes great sense, and that back and forth is what makes this beer exciting to me. some really heavy dark malt notes to this, more than just the usual coffee hint in the dark roast, instead i get some anise and licorice, some black sharpie, and some caramelized raisin, some sweetness like those sugar babies candies used to have, just total tooth decay, but flavorful too, more lactose than it probably needs, but the rye is heavy too, bready and nutty and even kind of white peppery and dusty, floury, it takes the lift from the sugar and runs with it. its boozy too, which means along with the sweetness that this is a small doses thing for me, but i think they have a really nice flavor profile developed here and the beer is exciting and different in a style that seems to be all trending towards the same endpoint. it needs more carbonation and the booze is a little harsh at temperature, but this is well worth a drink of! nice to see these guys getting better over time.