Orange Chocolate Imperial Stout
Alibi Ale Works

this is really adult, not too sweet and certainly not over flavored, its not like all orange essential oil and hersheys, as some of these can be, its more refined and i think a little more grown up, quite impressive, and real compatible with the base beer, which may not be the most interesting stout ever made on its own, but its certainly quality, and it works real well with these additions. a real nice creamy tan head on a nearly black body, excited for the style and rather inviting. the nose i suppose is orange first, pure and zesty, more exterior than interior, but honest and well integrated, without really any acidity or anything to me. the chocolate is worked well into the grain, to me this isnt overly chocolate forward, at least beyond the malt profile, which is true in both nose and taste. layers of roast and a more cocoa nib thing, then a little sweeter in the center with a little toffee backing, cocoa powder a little later and thats where its fire with the orange, i think it tastes a little more dynamic than it smells, but i like the aroma a lot too, more orange forward and even kind of bright for a big stout. the alcohol is a nonfactor here, and thats impressive at this strength. an almost nitro creaminess to this, no cutting down of the smooth body by the orange, and it never presents as too sweet or candied or anything, no apparent lactose, and overall really well done, tastefully dosed, and very compatible flavors and base beer. excellent, and easier drinking overall than it sounds on paper like it should be.