Redemption Road
Arclight Brewing Company

 

 

Looks good, super dark, no head, so you know this thing is chocked full of adjuncts. Sweeeet aromas immediately waft on the pour. Biig vanilla cream, walnut, and dark bitter chocolate. It's an ultra sweet Rocky Road on the nose. Diving in and I'm surprised by an awesome thick feel, has real melted ice cream vibes. The chocolate is everywhere! Up front and across the middle of the palate the cacao nibs and chocolate malts team up with vanilla cream to make a hugely milk chocolate effect. Warm, toasted walnut mingles with the warmer, grainier side of the malt bill, bit of maybe a rye spice, gives the beer depth and cuts through the sweetness a little. Finishes dry; back to the dark chocolate detected on the nose, bit of fudge. Barely detect alcohol, and at 10.5%, that's the desired effect. Definitely a sweet milk stout, but I love how there's a warmth without burn, and a dryness that prevails after achieving the Rocky Road profile.