Coconut Monolith (Hazelnut Coffee)
Rock House Brewing

One shot ain't enough jack, you better make it three... (or four). George Thoroughgood almost got it right. It turns out that more variants on an original works best for a special craft beer release. The Rock House brewer, with one specific variant, turn to the can't miss combination of hazelnut and coffee on an already clever imperial coconut stout.

Very dark, and in a slight regression from straight black, the deep cappuccino appearance of Coconut Monolith Hazelnut Coffee crowns with a dainty slight tan froth. Its scent of coffee and hazelnut are immediately apparent as the lay boldly on a bed of toasted sweetness, cream, chocolate and nuttiness. Sweet with toffee, caramel and sweet cream, the malt support commands the early palate with ease.

The sweetness coats the mouth in true stout form, laying a foundation of campfire roast, candied walnut and bittersweet chocolate. As the flavors of coffee gain aggression, it pulls from the roasted grain in a fog of French roast flavor. Coconut and hazelnut sooth the middle palate and trail into a late palate of sweet cream, gentle spice and a woodsy bitter balance.

Full in body, the light level of carbonation has the stout lingering long with grain roast and cream, and lacking the bounce of even the softest big bodied beer. But the allure of coffee, hazelnut and coconut is too tantalizing to ignore as the beer's strong espresso finish has the mind quickly getting past and carbonated weakness.