Unpastry Stout w/ Vanilla
Claimstake Brewing Company

From tasting notes 04/30/21
Had on-tap at Claimstake Brewing in Rancho Cordova, CA

Appearance - Served up in a willi pint, black / dark cola brown where light can penetrate, mostly barren surface and a thin, tan ring around the edge of the glass. A few broken lines and small spots make up a minimal lacing.

Smell - Vanilla is prevalent, with lesser chocolate and a hint of roast.

Taste - More depth than the nose leads on. Vanilla leads the charge, while lesser chocolate follows shortly behind. Hints of roast and coffee ground emerge midtaste and, as the brew warms, becomes more prominent in the finish, though vanilla still reigns.

Mouthfeel - Medium in body with fair carbonation. Slick, easy drinker before a slightly dry finish.

Overall - Drinking this back-to-back with the regular unpastry stout is a great example of how adding just one ingredient can drastically change the character of a beer. While there are some similarities in the flavor profile, the vanilla does a whole lot to mask them. Smoother, friendlier drink, but I prefer the former.