Three (3)
Armada Brewing

 

 

Im sampling a cellar temp 12 oz can, picked up at the brewery at the curbside tiki bar during this pandemic. Been wanting to try this one for a while, so glad it was available.
The beer is poured into my snifter and displays a deep cola brown color with creamy beige head of about 1 cm.
This foam fades to a thin edge layer and some small pockets of risen carbonation streams on the surface. This rising carbonation never amounts to anything.
The aroma is malt forward with roasted malt and dark cacao chocolate mixing together. There is a little bit of brown sugar, but in general the nose is maltier and milder than I anticipated.
The first sip reveals a medium to thick body with silky smooth texture and fine tingly carbonation. The carbonation build if I swish the beer in my mouth. Each mouthful leaves a sticky feel on my lips.
The flavor is much sweeter than the nose predicts. I get roasted malt and dark cacao again, but here the vanilla and hazelnut flavors come through and linger long into the finish. This makes for a light and sweet hazelnut coffee impact on my tastebuds. I dont get any hop character and the ABV is slightly dangerously well hidden.
I enjoy this beer, and find it dangerously drinkable, but had hoped for a little more after "hit me as hard as you can" was so awesome.

A: opaque; very dark brown - almost black; 1 finger finely pored dark brown head that receded to a wispy cap; little lacing;

S: vanilla and milk chocolate;

T: follows the nose; a little nutty toward the end; mild to moderate bitterness on the finish;

M: full bodied; moderate, creamy carbonation; dry finish; alcohol is noticeable, but not hot;

O: really nice to sip at;

Pours very dark brown with less than a finger of tan head, minimal lacing
More roast in the aroma than I was expecting for an adjuncted stout, with the sweeter elements playing a backup role. A certain nuttiness from the hazelnuts, and the lactose giving a hint of cream

The taste is pretty similar to the nose but sweeter. Still very full in taste, I pick up notes of raisin and an almost chalky nut character, chocolatey smooth, quite an interesting mix. I wish I was getting a bit more from the hazelnut or really anything from the vanilla bean but it's still very good nonetheless

Drinks more in line with a milk stout thanks to the lactose, it's somehow sweet and astringent at the same time which is an interesting balance. Smooth with almost no carbonation

Overall I really enjoyed this one, even if it wasn't exactly what I was expecting. A very solid stout I'm happy to have picked up at the liquor store

Can from the Craft Beer Cellar Belmont
Inky black in color with a frothy tan head that persists.
Rich roasty chocolate with bits of earthy hop, dark dried fruits and a light nuttiness. Pretty nice sipper a hint on the sweet side.