Friday (2020)
Cycle Brewing

Bottle at share. Ebony pour, flat. Sweet, roasty aroma, alcohol warmth. Taste is dark chocolate, sweet, roasty, coffee and boozy heat. Oily and slick.

L: Pours a dark black with a small tan head and no lacing on the glass.

S: Starts with a nice note of coconut, followed by some sweet almonds and notes of chocolate.

T: Chocolate mixes with and sweet almond and some nice coconut. Sweet and decadent.

F: Smooth and large body.

O: Once again another great beer in the days of the week series.

 

 

 

Supposedly the joyous almond 2020 remake but I did not find this to be true at all. That was a truly great beer that starred the almond and coconut within the bourbon and chocolate depths to their fullest. This was nowhere near as balanced. Looked better, no coconut chunks in the black viscous body. Smell is nutty but mostly almond, forcing the coconut into the supporting role with tons of booze and some dark chocolate. Taste is hot, dark chocolate, licorice and a hint of coconut serve the almond over lord, like almond liqueur. Feel is hot, thick, chewy, and syrupy. It is good, but not joyous almond

If you enjoy coconut beers this one is well executed. I will be up front with 3 things, 1. I am overall impressed with Cycle Brewing, I think their barrel program is top notch and they always have an excellent mouthfeel. 2. I am not overly excited about Coconut beers. 3. I did not very much enjoy this beer because I don't like coconut beers but I could appreciate the overall execution. The overall taste is of coconut, almond, and chocolate, I did not taste much from the barrel and that is my only true criticism. Mouthfeel was good as always.

 

 

 

Pours opaque black with ruby edges at 56 degrees; fast fizzy reddish brown head; no cap retention, ring or lace; all that remains is a small oily slick with white flecks of coconut floating on top; heavy legs sheet the glass. Whiff of toasted coconut, otherwise not much aroma save a subtle caramel malt nose. Semi sweet chocolate upon entry; very little coconut; caramel malt; almond in the middle with a little cream; mild dark fruit - raisins, plum; no bitterness; finish is caramel, toffee, nutty sweet coconut candy. Silky smooth feel; some heat in the mouth (no idea what the abv is); full but not adjuncty body; light carbonation; dry, yet creamy nutty tongue coating. Overall a really enjoyable stout; balanced blend of chocolate, caramel, toffee with coconut and almond; all flavors equal and remarkably subtle; I wish it had more coconut, but overall a really nice, tasty, semi sweet sipper; I would not age - drink what it is right now, as I believe these flavors in this beer will fade over time.