Bourbon Barrel Nite-Nite
Southern Brewing Company

Soothing, savory and satisfying, the larger-than-life stouts are usually reserved for breweries in much cooler climates. But don't sleep on The Southern Brewing Company; their version serves as a wake up call to the beer community while being basically a 500ml tasty sleeping pill in a bottle.

As black as thatch and crowning with a bubbling cauldron of foam, Nite-Nite mesmerizes the senses with a lavishly roasted scent that's laced with chocolate, port, sherry, bourbon and a host of savory sweetnesses. The flavors pick up where the nose leaves off with a reckless coat of brown sugar, molasses and toffee in a nearly syrupy first impression.

And all those flavors only intensify as the devilish ale seeps deep into the tastebuds. Layers of dark roast coffee, bittersweet chocolate, candied walnut and a basic culmination of brownie batter take turns skirting across the middle palate before the tangy and spicy interplay of fortified red wines, madeira and a nod to soy sauce add a pep of savory flavors with brine. But its the piquant heat of bourbon that brings a booze soaked vanilla, caramel and coconut character to a lasting late palate to soothe the senses and lull into a sense of wonderment.

Unapologetically full, rounded and pleasantly cloying, the stout's imperial status comes with an imperial aftertaste, lingering deep and long into a whisky soaked oak, dark, dried and pitted fruit flavor medley marching onward into the next sip.