Defying Gravity: Series 1
R. Shea Brewing - Merriman Valley

Glossy black with a fluffy but short mocha head settling to a short curled collar. The body has dark red edges that glow at the tilt.

The maple is expressive right up front, which leads very smoothly into loads of syrupy barrel juices. These bring some charred oak and dark fruits ribboning through the palate, teasing the cheeks and salivation with really intense, drippingly drenched wood.

Rum vanilla accents the smooth dark chocolate that underlies the slick medium body, as a softly bubbly carbonation lifts a little heat in the semi-sticky swallow. The exhale is brown sugar and maple candies with sweet, corny bourbon. As it warms, milk chocolate develops on the nose while black pepper deepens the palate.

What an intense experience. I've definitely not had something like this by R. Shea before. Hopefully they can start consistently producing stuff like this with the increased space downtown.