Van. Stoot
Rurban Brewing

A- Pours a lovely dark chocolate brown color and while it seems clear, it is very opaque in general. The head is super thick, that being a solid three fingers in thickness, and the light caramel hued foam, very slowly settles into a couple finger thick bubble bath texture.....very impressive! The lacing doesn't show off as well, quickly sliding back into the liquid, as fast as it touches the glass.

S- There is a hugely bittersweet chocolatey aroma about this, with muted notes of vanilla bean pod, black coffee, cocoa powder, chocolate and/or black malt bitterness, and a finish that while somewhat mild, is Earthy and of damp soil. It takes awhile for me to be able to make another pour (due to the incredible head retention), but as I pour, I am detecting a sweeter chocolate truffle creme.

T- The flavors aren't as sweet as the aromas would have suggested, which is really fine by me, however, the character of everything Rurban wants is there. Aside from dark and heavy malt robustness and/or bitterness, I get cocoa bean, black coffee, some high cocoa content dark chocolate, mild background notes of natural vanilla bean infusion, and an Earthy dry like finish....quite tasty!

M/O- The mouthfeel is medium bodied, the carbonation has some zip to it, but it isn't over carbonated by any means and the overall drinkability is good....I think I'd enjoy a couple of these in a sitting before wanting to cleanse the palate. Would pair well with a dark chocolate cake or similar dessert. A fine vanilla stout and I like the fact that it isn't super sweet! Cheers!