Skosh
Saint Errant Brewing

 

In all the years of drinking craft beer, this is undoubtedly a first for me. Once removing the plastic frame, a two-finger pull from the spout grips revels a dark abyss of liquid cascading into the glass. Very little carbonation was added to this, so even pouring hard from the enclosed bag does not agitate much of any lingering head.

The nose is hit immediately with the pleasant aroma of a smoked chocolate mousse. Complimenting the balance of sweet and charred are undertones of toasted vanilla, caramel candy, and a touch of pipe tobacco. A really great profile largely characterizing the extended barrel treatment that this blend saw.

The palate actually mirrors many of the same characteristic as we find on the nose. Torched oak really comes on strong, followed on the mid-palate by dark fruits and a spiced, coconutty component that reminded me a lot of amburana. Bringing up the rear is a nice residual vanilla, dark roast coffee, and baking chocolate.

The mouthfeel works nicely here. At colder temperature the creamy mouthfeel almost felt like it needed more carbonation to cut it, but as Skosh continues to warm it settles in nicely. The 15% ABV provides a great warmth, accompanying the slightest touch of residual bitterness on a long, sticky finish.

Released 3/22/24; first drank 3/29/24 @ the Yarchives.

Black appearance.

This came screaming out of the nozzle with no head; no lacing remained.

Bold dark chocolate, burnt caramel, vanilla & raw wood notes in the nose. This smells amazing.

Creamy, smooth, flat mouthfeel.

Dark chocolate, coconut, wood & vanilla flavors. Strong booze heat notes emerged as this warmed.

While the novelty of the serving vessel (it's like a box of wine, essentially) attracted me to buy this, the actual beer is a borderline stunner. The taste isn't quite up to the quality of the nose, it's still a damn fine stout with no funny stuff. Bravo!