Dive Bar Brunch
Tupps Brewery

Thick and black with a light head.

Oddly, I'm getting something of a scent induced memory from this beer, but can't quite place it. Whether this memory is of something that actually occurred or exists is possibly another story.

Flavor is tasty, with a good dose of coconut over a solid roasted coffee.

Nice and interesting.

smells coconut and sweet chocolate
tastes coco-nutty and coffeee
finish is a little bitter and metal

 

Appearance: Deep amber in color, with lovely claret highlights and a small, dense and persistent tan head. The lacing decorates the glass wall in a finely-beaded, unbroken sheet.

Aroma: Extraordinary notes of Hershey's (tm) Milk Cholate are very prominent in the aroma. As well, there are lesser notes of vanilla, cocoa, sweet alcohol, graham crackers, charred marshmallows and toasted coconut.

Taste: Opens with a wave of sweet chocolate, very much lie Hershey's. As the taste continues, there are charred marshmallows, toasted nuts, vanilla, cocoa, graham crackers, and a light, sweet and warming alcohol note. I have had several beers that professed to be flavored like "Smores", but this one, which makes no such claim, is far closer than the others. As the taste draws to a close, there is a wave of bitter cocoa and vanilla.

Mouth feel: Full and very, very soft, with an almost syrupy character and gentle hints of carbonation.

Drinkabilty/notes: As a dessert beer, this is simply extraordinary. Its hard to imagine a better pairing with an elegant chocolate dessert, while also holding very well on its own. What a pity that it has been retired.

Presentation: Packaged in a standard twelve-ounce aluminum can, served in a La Fin du Mode tulip.

 

A make-or-break for me is carbonation. If a stout doesn’t deliver carbonation to the palate, then nothing else it offers is as effective. This one delivered carbonation along with a nice balance of chocolate, vanilla, and light roast coffee. None of those contributors overwhelmed the other, and the mere hint of molasses provided a nice aftertaste that was as subtle as a good server in a restaurant. You know it’s there, but it doesn’t distract from the conversation.

This was a very good stout. Towards the bottom of the tulip glass, the remnants of the beer on the glassreminded me that the ABV was substantial and that this was no lightweight.

 

 

Poured from a can into a snifter glass
Can states proceeds from sales will go to help restaurants and local bar musicians effected by the COVID-19 shutdown
Appearance – The beer pours a dark brown, nearly black color with a one finger head of tan colored foam. The head has a decent level of retention, slowly fading over time to leave almost no lace on the sides of the glass.
Smell – The aroma of the brew is immense! There is a ton of roasted malt and chocolate mixed with a good showing of a coffee and a bit of toast. Along with these smells is a rather good showing of some molasses and caramel as well as a touch of coconut.
Taste – The taste begins with a big roasted malt taste with plenty of caramel and molasses sweetness as well as some cocoa and vanilla. There is a light coffee flavor upfront which grows stronger as the taste advances. All the while the caramel gets even bigger and is joined by a little bit of a vanilla and char taste. The roastiness however fades a tad, and with some light coconut developing along the way, one is left with a very sweet and moderately roasty sipper.
Mouthfeel – The body of the brew is on the thicker side with a carbonation level that is on the slightly lower side. For the mix of roasty, malty, and sweet dark flavors the feel is rather well done and creates a mouth coating feel that baths the tongue in all the big flavors.
Overall – A bit on the sweeter side, but a fun one to try. With some of the proceeds going to bar musicians and restaurants affected by COVID-19 it is certainly well worth at least trying it.