Campfire Cocoa
Outer Light Brewing Company

 

 

this is wonderful beer, one of their best, and even though it hits way more fall than spring to me, i think its incredibly unique and original. i love that the base beer is a dunkel, not sure i have ever seen one with all these added ingredients before, this smore theme is usually reserved for stouts and porters, so i was intrigued right away when i saw it. part of its magic is that the base dunkel is awesome, authentically german, well lagered, not too sweet, and with a lighter than it looks body on it, so its clean and easy, even with the extras they added, very intelligent design on this. lovely clear mahogany colored liquid with an airy near inch of off white head, fine retention, this looks dialed in. the nose is way cool, the caramel and bready notes from the grain come right out in front of dry cocoa, sweet graham cracker, and a vanilla wrinkle. its done with marshmallows too, but they dont really make this diabetic or anything, unforced, this isnt pastry beer in the classic sense, not at all. i love that the chocolate part has some bitterness, is obvious, and is so compatible with this grain complexion, that synergy makes this really interesting. i think the graham cracker element is appreciable in the flavor, especially after this warms up a little bit too, and its not too much, but it gets closer to the smore theme. i get brown sugar, vanilla, and toffee in this, but its not over the top sweet which is nice, and i can appreciate the german elements the whole time. lighter medium body, smooth and frothy feeling with enough carbonation, and shockingly, this is a pint beer, and a repeatable one. uncommon as this sort of thing goes, really smart and well executed, a top beer from my visit to outer light!