Walter’s Waffles
Benchtop Brewing Company

L: Pours a hickory, syrupy liquid that forms thick, tan/almond head that dissipates at a moderate pace, leaving behind a velvet layer of foamy retention and soapy lacing on the edge of the snifter glass. Held to the light, this beer has an opaque chocolate hue.

S: Baker's chocolate, maple syrup, cacao nibs, roasted malts, burnt sugar.

T: Roasted malts are actually the first on the palate, less sweet in the beginning than I expected. Followed by generous amounts of chocolate, lactose, molasses, sugar, and some char towards the finish. Hints of maple syrup in the middle but it's relatively faint compared to the claims of the can. Doesn't detract from the flavor at all, but this is closer to your standard AIS, with caramel malts, cacao nibs, baker's chocolate all playing a more prominent role.

F: Medium-bodied. Light carbonation, sticky and chewy mouthfeel. Not quite like the syrup I was expecting.

O: Solid AIS. I don't doubt that there are waffles and maple syrup in this beer, but this tastes closer to a malt-heavy stout with some sweetness mixed in to balance it out. It's more bitter than you might guess from the can, and I actually prefer it that way. Alcohol remains well-concealed, nice body, good look. Worth a purchase.