Coffee Monster (Speckled Ax w/ Vanilla)
Barreled Souls Brewing Company

 

Sampling this 500 ml bottle poured at cellar temperature into my snifter. Bottle was picked up at the brewery in October 2021 and has been in my cellar since then.
The beer pours a rich black coffee color with no light passing through the glass. A slightly frothy tan head of 1.5 cm foams up and fades to a sturdy edge layer after the pour. ONe small wispy island also rests in the center of the glass. Only legs like a red wine, no lattice when I swirl the glass.
Aroma is dark chocolate, lightly sweetened coffee, a bit of sweet vanilla and some brown sugar. No hop profile and the ABV is hidden on the nose.
First sip reveals a medium body, with fine and spacious soft carbonation. Texture is smooth and silky, but also leaves a sticky residue on my lips.
Flavor is some sweeter milk chocolate, roasted malt, coffee grounds and hints of vanilla in the background. The coffee lingers a bit and comes back with some bitterness on the finish. No hops and the ABV is still hidden.
I enjoy this version of coffee monster. WIll need to check my notes, but didnt like the other variant that I had as much as this one.
Worth a try if you like slightly sweeter coffee stouts.