Lair Of The Bear
Mammoth Brewing Company

 

 

L-poured from a bottle marked “Winter 2020”. ABV was 12.5%, considerably higher than the 9.5% listed here on BA. Poured a shiny black like used motor oil, thick, dense chocolate-brown head with lots of retention. Once in the glass the color had a faint tinge of brown but was as opaque as blanket.

S-the nose revealed pleasure ahead; coffee, chocolate, a hint of bourbon along with deeply roasted malt notes and a bit of toffee. Balanced nose; nothing overwhelming.

T-Wow! This stuff is fine! Like the aroma the taste is nicely balanced with the same chocolate, coffee, and maltiness. The bourbon comes through on the finish. Takes a sip, and dwell in between and the bourbon notes are delayed on your palate as you exhale. This is interestingly complex and also has light finish notes of vanilla or toffee. All without being too sweet. The alcohol is apparent but subtle. I haven’t taken my time with a beer like this in a long time. It’s one that asks to be savored.

M-mouthfeel was smooth and a little creamy without feeling thick. It surprisingly didn’t have that syrupy or oily feel that some really big stouts and porters do. The long retention on the head contributes to the smooth and creamy feel.

O-this is one of the best stouts I’ve ever had, bar none. The complex and balanced flavor profile is fantastic. I had this while visiting CA so I’ll be hard pressed to find it back home on the East coast which is a bummer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black color with mocha head. Aroma has really nice whiskey notes with some dark berries. Taste is sweet at first with nice bourbon but also fruity notes. Finish has caramel and butterscotch, just a bit of roasted malt bitterness. Full bodied, smooth mouthfeel. Overall it's a really well made beer with all flavors integrated nicely into the whole.

 

 

 

50cl bottle at home. Pitch black with an espresso head and thin strips of carbonation. Huge bourbon notes in the nose, followed by vanilla, coconut, milk chocolate, toffe. The taste follows the same notes, heavy on the bourbon, vanilla and toffe. Full bodied with a soft carbonation and a bourbon sweet and spicy aftertaste. Lacking a bit in the roasted malt department, but otherwise an excellent beer.

I wrote an entire, detailed review of this beer. The review disappeared a few seconds after I posted it.

Suffice it to say this beer was sour. Whether due to infection or design, I cannot say. I aged the bottle for about 1 year. It was stored upright in a dark, 50 degree refrigerator.