Banana Split Dunkel
Russell Brewing Company

A- Pours a semi hazed dark chocolate brown color, with background coloration of brownish cherry red, murky bronze and prune juice. The head is about a solid finger in thickness, before settling quietly yet quickly into a light tan colored ring around the inside of the glass. I do detect some solid columns of carbonation rising to the top, and the bubbles do seem to be fairly small and compact. The lacing tries hard but isn't quite there, with any patchwork of clingy foam sliding back into the liquid.

S- I feel like I get more of the pureed strawberry more than anything upfront, and it is sweet, almost like thawed out frozen berries mixed with a hint of sugar and heavy cream. There are nuances of milk chocolate malt richness, ripe, almost rotten banana flesh, caramel/toffee dry grain, vanilla ice cream, pie crust and some yeasty notes on the finish. A nice semi sweet aroma overall.

T- Oh, there is definite strawberry puree flavors upfront on this one....super delicious! Underlying notes of bananas, chocolate, vanilla ice cream, caramel/toffee sweet malt, fruity dark chocolate and some grainy wheat kernel on the finish. More classic flavors of chocolate malt char, muted light roast creme coffee and dark fruits round everything out.

M/O- The mouthfeel is light, perhaps just leaning into medium body territory and the carbonation is actually quite smooth. As for drinkability, I like this enough, but may be done after having a pint of this....no knocks against it however. I like it and would/will have this again should I be able to pick it up again in my local beer store, or even better yet, would like to try it out on tap for what I know would even be a more creamy experience.