Tame The Wild Cosmos
Barreled Souls Brewing Company

Pours an effervescent chestnut/mahogany with a pinky of fast falling caramel colored head. Zero head retention or lacing

S: Chocolate, vanilla, cola once warm, some cinnamon as well

T: Follows the nose, powdery cocoa, some barrel presence, a touch of caramel, salt & Graham Cracker, more than one thing contributing to pronounced dryness. Cocoa, vanilla, a little caramel & salt as this beer warms up. Finishes warming with salty caramel, cocoa & vanilla; plus lovely barrel bite

MF: A little chewy, moderate carbonation, warming barrel presence

Pretty drinkable for the heft, this really delivers as a BA Pastry Stout

2022 bottle.

Syrupy black with a thin film and very dark walnut halo. A golden-brown head briefly forms, like a whisper before evaporating without leaving any lace on a Stone Snifter/Highball Glass.

Rich chocolate fudge is highlights by cinnamon, as advertised. Strong caramel follows, with roasted malt quickly trailing. It is sweet with a clear expression of alcohol.

Roasted malt takes the lead in the flavor, followed by caramel, then dark chocolate and finally light Capuchino. Progression in this beer is amazing. Mild bitterness holds sweetness at bay. The finish elevates both the roasted malt and the alcohol, before a long-drawn-out fade of cinnamon. Warmth adds cashews to the mix.

A soft and smooth texture coats the tongue with the dense body, while the suggestion of carbonation pecks away at that coating. Alcohol has a mild heat, surprisingly lower than expectations form 13.7% abv.

This is an excellent sipping beer. I enjoyed the first glass while reading, and plan to finish the bottle with a burger and gorgonzola. Warming, over the session, allows layers of nuanced character to sing.