Witch Meadow Black (2024)
Fox Farm Brewery

Appearance: Like the base version, the beer pours jet black with a mocha film forming and fading in the blink of an eye; leggy but no lacing

Smell: Roasted malt, cinnamon and chocolate but the Bourbon is not as pronounced as in the base version; rhubarb doesn't have a strong aroma but I guess that is in there

Taste: Roasted malt and chocolate forward with the cinnamon and related spices building; Bourbon tones appear in the mid-palate and while there is some caramel, I am not getting much vanilla; there is a vegetal aspect that must come from the rhubarb

Mouthfeel: Full bodied with low carbonation; some warmth in the gullet

Overall: I much preferred the base version; these adjuncts are distracting and detracting

Sampling a cellar temp 2024 vintage bottle of this beer. I picked it up at the brewery about 10 days ago.
The beer pours jet black and absolutely no light passes through the glass. A fizzy tan head foams up about .5 cm and fades to the thinnest of edge layers. very minimal lacing with a swirl, although there are some coating legs, like a merlot. Beer looks like an imperial stout, that is for sure.
Aroma is roasted malt and char, dark chocolate, some vanilla and an earthy root note, which must be the rhubarb. No hop presence and not a boozey beer either. I also get a little cinnamon hint now that the glass has been breathing a bit.
First sip reveals a medium to thick body and very fine tingly carbonation. Slightly sticky texture on my palate.
Flavor is dark chocolate, roasted note and char, hints of cinnamon and again an earthy note. Could also be cinnamon or rhubarb root. Definitely earthy and sort of smoked malt note on the flavor. this note actually lingers after each sip. Never any heat nor any hop character on this one.
I think I like this beer, the earthy note starts to weigh on me a bit halfway through the glass. glad to have tried it, but wouldnt buy another bottle, only due to the earthy flavor not really working for me.