Shadows at Night
LIC Beer Project

Jet black. Dark tan head. Chocolate fudge. Expecting heat from peppers, but they impart more of a cherry fruitiness, woodsy berry, earth, tobacco, and very little smoke. Aroma is rich, decadent, doughy, and chocolatey. Creamy feel, full body.

i definitely like the concept a little better than the execution on this one, yet another adjunct stout with j wakefield involved, i swear i saw a half dozen with different breweries while we were around new york. this one has chocolate donuts, peppers, and walnuts in it, and it definitely has a cakey fudgey vibe going on, but something about the donuts make break down the head and retention a bit, this looks almost flat in the glass from the tap, and it doesnt have much life in the mouthfeel either. its boozy and overly sweet, im not sure lactose and actual donuts were needed here, one would have done the trick i would imagine, so this is on the edge of too sugary right away, but the deep desserty chocolate character is awesome, as is the subtle walnut element that almost gives it hues of port wine for a flash, unexpected, rightly dosed i think, and giving a needed earthy grounding to this, it would be out of control without this element i think. its hard to be too critical of a beer as interesting and enjoyable as this one, but for all the beers in this style i have had recently, which is a fair few, this one didnt stand out as much to me, at least in terms of overall quality. fine job with the donuts and nuts, but how much of this can anyone really drink in a single sitting? also, whats with wakefield being everywhere all of a sudden?

Flat. Very flat.

 

 

 

 

 

Pours a pitch black color with a minimal and instantly dissipating head appropriate for the style.
The aroma is nutty and walnut like, milk chocolate, and a nice touch of peppers.
Flavors of dark and milk chocolate, dark caramel, walnuts, and dark malts. Despite the fullness of the malts and the lactose, it is, nevertheless, not overly sweet. Similarly, despite the high ABV and the flavor of alcohol, it is not too boozy. My favorite attribute is the touch of spicy peppers which are evident in the finish, yet, not too hot. Full bodied, creamy, viscous and robust. Despite the fullness, there is a good drinkability. Gentle carbonation and soft and velvety mouthfeel.
Good balance overall. A nice imperial stout that is not too boozy and has a unique touch of peppers.

 

Draft at LIC