BA Aurox W/ Sumatran Coffee and Maple
Alluvial Brewing Company

First up today is from Alluvial. Barrel Aged Imperial Stout with Sumatran Coffee and Maple.

Two weeks ago I reviewed this beer with vanilla instead of coffee and maple. It was excellent and I rated it 4.05. The feel and toned down vanilla prevented me from going into World Class territory. Let’s see how this one goes.

Look: The beer flows dark brown from the bottle. It struggles to form a head, but with an aggressive pour a finger of light brown, creamy looking cap forms. Black and opaque. No visible carbonation. The head eventually disappears but for a light brown ring of foam around the edge of the glass. No lacing.

Smell: Straight maple syrup covered pancakes with creamy and sugary coffee. The nose is oozing with maple. Sweet and bready. It’s not a complex nose, but it’s decadent. A hint of warmth. A memorable “breakfast stout” aroma.

Taste: On the tip of the tongue, sweet maple and slightly sweetened, hot brewed, dark roast coffee. Mid palate the sweetness steps aside and the bitter coffee and bold, roasty and toasty base stout flavors come through. Dark chocolate, cocoa powder, faint cinnamon dryness. Behind the bold bitterness is a dark dried fruit flavor of date.

Feel: A little thin for my preference with an 11.5% Imperial Stout. Low carbonation and smooth. Warm and dry on the finish. Sticky on the lips.

Overall: First, I like this beer better than the vanilla version, because the additional ingredients, in this case maple and coffee, really shine through. A lot. I would’ve liked more vanilla in the other.

Second, I love this series because the beers are for drinking. There is an excellent base stout here that complements the added flavors, creating a complex drinking experience. It’s not straight maple or coffee. It’s a great Imperial Stout. They made a beer that fits into a hyped up category that drinks like a stout first.

I criticized the vanilla for being “acrid” and “rough around the edges.” I was referring the toasty and dry flavor notes highlighted above. I would dial back that comment now. After having the second beer I’m opening up to the fact the base beer here just a bold and toasty, big ass stout that I love. Again, not a maple or coffee bomb. Not a barrel bomb either.