Luling (2021)
Aslin Beer Company

L: Pours black, forming a very thin sepia head that leaves a nice ring of lacing, with some very minor bubbling retention. Held to the light, this beer has an opaque, fudge-like chocolate hue.

S: Heavy chocolate/cacao nibs, coffee, roasted malt, vanilla, and sweetness imparted by the brandy barrel and pecans. Faint brown sugar, toffee, and coconut.

T: Liquified dessert. There is a clear apple brandy influence, which is complemented by plenty of chocolate and coffee grounds. Followed by a sweet vanilla, some light spice, and pecans. Finishes with more brandy, a slight alcohol burn.

F: Slick, oily mouthfeel that is slightly creamy as well. Medium- to full-bodied, biased towards medium. Some light carbonation which is underscored by the effervescence visible on the edge of the snifter glass.

O: I was initially hesitant about the apple brandy bottles, but this beer was a pleasant surprise. It manages to be a strong dessert beer without being too cloying. Good flavor, good body, terrific aromas. Worth it.

 

Brownish black pour with a thin light brown cap that quickly settles into a thin ring. Candy nose: adjuncts on the sweeter side with that large vanilla backing, but ultimately it is the pecans with the apple brandy that is overpower everything else. Taste has a little more from the coffee and chocolate, but it clashes with the barrel, vanilla, and general saccharine bite. Nuts draws out the clash more. Sticky and viscous yet light bodied, warm and somewhat bittering roast isn't enough the balance the sugar that just coats the palate. Like the idea, execution is lacking

 

So rich, so flavorful. Black as night, what little head there is dissipates quickly. Massive chocolate aroma with a little nuttiness (pecans), followed by more of the same flavorwise. Dense mouthfeel. A marvelous stout. Great way to finish Christmas night.