They Forgot About J (Side: A)
J. Wakefield Brewing

 

550ml bottle poured into a snifter

A- pours jet black in color with a one-finger foamy khaki head that has short retention to leave nothing behind

S- sweet and malty on the nose with bold aromas of vanilla, caramel, pistachio nuttiness, chocolate, dark cherries and cherry tobacco. A nice undertone of oaky bourbon barrel that seems to enhance the vanilla aroma

T- bold, malty and sweet up front with a big umami note, followed by flavors of chocolate, soy sauce, stewed cherries and caramel. Mid-palate brings out some vanilla cream, as well as a nice undertone of barrel juice, adding oak and a hint of coconut. The finish gives more soy sauce, along with chocolate, dark cherry and more bourbon barrel that sticks around on the linger

M- medium-heavy body with moderate carbonation leads to a foamy mouthfeel that turns into a creamy finish, abv hidden well

O- a big cherry not throughout with plenty of vanilla and barrel to compliment

Solid beer. A bit on the bitter side on the finish but good sweetness at the start of things. Darker head, black color, well brewed with good balance.

 

A: Pours an opaque yet still clear very thick viscous dark jet black in color with light to moderate amounts of fine active visible carbonation rising slowly along the edges of the glass and very faint dark chestnut + dark cola brown colored highlights. The beer has a half finger tall dense foamy dark mocha head that slowly reduces to a medium to large sized patch of very thin film covering a little more than 80% of the surface of the beer and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Light amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate to strong aromas of dark + chocolate + roasted + caramel malts with slightly heavier than moderate amounts of lactose + caramel + dark fruit (plum + cherry) sweetness. That is followed by slightly stronger than moderate aromas of vanilla and pistachio nuttiness. Just shy of moderate aromas of bourbon + caramel + vanilla + toasted oak.

T: Upfront there are strong flavors of dark + chocolate + roasted + caramel malts with slightly heavier than moderate amounts of lactose + caramel + dark fruit (plum + cherry) sweetness. That is followed by slightly stronger than moderate flavors of vanilla and pistachio nuttiness. Finally there are moderate flavors of bourbon + caramel + vanilla + toasted oak. There is a light hint of toasty bitterness which is quickly overtaken by a fudge-like chocolate sweetness that lingers well through the finish.

M: Full bodied with light to moderate amounts of carbonation. Smooth with a light to moderate amount of alcohol warming in the finish.

O: This is a big, rich, and sweet beer that is perfect in place of dessert after dinner - best slowly sipped due to the full thick mouthfeel and alcohol warming. Lots of complexity to the flavors and aromas for this beer. Very enjoyable.

Released 6/5/20; drank 6/28/20 @ the Yarchives.

Black appearance.

An even pour yielded a minimal tan head; almost no lace.

Thick, creamy mouthfeel.

This smelled and tasted of rich chocolate, mild vanilla & faint pistachio; it was a nice treat, but not revelatory. Still, I'd have another!