Old Man McGray
Claimstake Brewing Company

 

This is a "Mint Chip Imperial Milkshake Sweet Stout Brewed with Mint Chips and Milk Sugar". Initially tried a sample on draft at the 2018 CA Craft Beer Summit - definitely the best and most memorable beer of the day. I liked it so much that I went to the brewery the following day for a crowler fill. Notes below are from the crowler fill:

Look is typical of a stout; light carbonation/lacing on the glass. Aroma is of mint chocolate chip ice cream - heavenly! Taste is very similar to the aroma; mint chocolate chip ice cream - with a bit of heat to back it up (this beer isn't barrel-aged - but the heat sure makes it seem like it). The mothfeel of this beer is what really puts it over the top for me; rich and decadent - not sure I've ever had a beer so thick and velvety! Overall - an absolutely amazing dessert stout from a brewery that I'm trying for the first time. The only downside to this beer might be that it is a bit too rich - not sure I could drink more than 4-6oz at a time - but I just might try ; )

From tasting notes 08/10/18
Had on-tap at Claimstake Brewing in Rancho Cordova, CA

Appearance - Served into a 10oz snifter, pure black with only the tiniest amount of light penetrating the thinnest edge when held up to light. Mostly barren with a razor thin ring encircling the edge of the glass. A few broken lines and small spots make up the lace.

Smell - Strong aroma hitting on chocolate chip, mint, dark chocolate, faint roast and booze.

Taste - Starts strongly with dark chocolate and mint upfront, then sweeter milk chocolate follows next before a heavy booze punch socks you in the mouth. Aftertaste lingers with bitter and sweet chocolatey notes, minty freshness and boozy astringency.

Mouthfeel - Full-bodied, thick and syrupy, with low carbonation. Thins and dries a quite a bit in the boozy finish  Not the smoothest, but at 16.5% its understandable.

Overall - Sits somewhere between hot mess and a fantastic dessert stout. What you might get if you threw a shot or two of whiskey into a bowl of melted mint chocolate chip ice cream. This could be something magical with 12-18 months of age on it. Bottling is a must if they ever re-release it, and hopefully they're holding a keg or two back so it can mellow some before they put it back on tap.