”Ah Me Joy”
Gael Brewing Company

The first reviewer pretty much nailed this beer. I found it to be a very enjoyable brew and as noted an excellent beer with chocolate. I enjoyed almond Joys with it.

Pours very dark chocolate and is black in the glass, with no highlights. A two-inch, dark, amber/gold, fizzy head sparkles as it noisily and rapidly falls. No lace is left behind on a Pretentious Beer Glass Company snifter.

As the name would suggest, this beer smells remarkably like an Almond Joy candy bar. Strong aromatics of coconut and dark chocolate are accompanied by lighter, though present, almond paste. A background of roasted malt provides a pleasant drone, similar to a bagpipe. Warmth reveals hazelnut coffee.

Following the nose, coconut and dark chocolate dominate, with vanilla and almond in the background. This beer is quite sweet, yet far from cloying. A touch of bitterness and a hint of sourness lead to a long and pleasantly mild finish. Warmth reveals roasted malt and the associated roasted bitterness expected of this style. Unexpectedly, there is also a light mint flavor.

The body is very light with a watery texture. Alcohol is as expected, that is, faint and noticeable. The carbonation is fizzy.

My understanding is that a Robust Porter should have a strong roasted malt taste with a mild bitterness. This beer does not have that. Rather, it is a very well done dessert beer. My rating is to the understanding of style, and would be much higher if simply rated to personal enjoyment. I imagine that if one were to pair this with chocolate cake, it would be absolutely exquisite.