Mocha Obscuro
Peabody Heights Brewery

Pouring a very dark brown color with two fingers worth of tan-colored head, this beer looks great in a glass. Head retention is excellent. The aroma skews heavily towards coffee, with lesser tones of chocolate, roasted malt, and a hoppy flourish. It isn't just the coffee giving it the roasted edge here - the whole hop/malt interplay helps create that, as well. I could use just a touch more aromatic zing, but everything here comes together pleasingly. Everything also comes together pleasingly on the taste buds. Chocolate sweetness appears initially, with coffee and a roasted yet slightly hoppy bite finishing it off. "Bittersweet" describes the finish perfectly, and the espresso vibe counteracts the sweetness well. Ultimately, while there is a slight lingering bitterness, the chocolate notes keep it in check beautifully. It doesn't seem immensely thick on the palate, though it does leave behind a long, semi-sweet finish. I'd definitely call this one oily in texture. Carbonation is strong for an imperial stout (though not really excessive). Yes sirree Bob, I dig this one. It brings the coffee extremely well for this drinker of black coffee, also brings the chocolate, and it's all backed by a sturdy base of roasted malt. This shouldn't end up being a one-off, because I'd totally buy this again.

 

On tap at the BNA Party last week. Solidly opaque with a decent tan head. Rich roasty earthy chocolate dare I say mocha aroma and flavor. Creamy silky mouthfeel. Pretty damn good beer, I went for seconds actually.