Barrel-Aged Chocolates
Calusa Brewing

 

Is there anything to cause such seduction for the palate than chocolates? The brewers of Calusa thinks that it's a chocolate beer with bourbon, toasted coconut and coffee. And you know what? ...I think they're right.

Jet black and cast in an onyx-like sheen, Barrel-Aged Chocolates floats a thinly veiled espresso cream before a stream of lavish scents captivate the senses with coffee, chocolate, vanilla cream, caramel and nutty oak with resounding effects. Dessert sweet once on the tongue, a decadent coat of malt reveals the robust sweetness of blackstrap molasses, milk chocolate, candied nuttiness, heavy cream and french vanilla with a high early malt impact.

As the malt driven flavors broaden across the middle palate, the bourbon laced sweetness saturates each and every tastebud with brownie batter with its bittersweet chocolate, vanilla, cream and candy bar layers of flavor. The additions of coffee bring an espresso intensity for balance and savory roast that blends in seamlessly with the toasted coconut with soothing effects. The simmering warmth of bourbon is spicy and smooth as a sense of kahlua helps to balance the lingering sweetness.

Full, chewy and pleasantly cloying, the dessert beer is undeniably lush on the palate, finishing with a malty-sweet focus and lingering with a deep sense of mocha latte and bourbon ball candies.