Before Land Shook
Half Acre Beer Company

 

 

Decent head production and retention given the style and sky high ABV.

Huge, whiskey-forward aroma - but it doesn't stop there. Huge notes of chocolate, vanilla, toffee, and caramel lurk behind, as well as notes of cherry, caramel, and coffee. Sublime.

Huge and rich on the palate, but more bitter and roasty than expected. Tasting notes are very similar to the nose; more oak and caramel, and massive hits of chocolate on the back half. The marshmallow and vanilla amplify that back third sweetness; it's a really interesting development that the flavor profile starts sharper and more bitter, and then becomes sweeter, the inverse of what you might expect. Salt is restrained but noticeable.

Super thick and chewy. Noticeable ABV, but it's pretty easy to savor.

2023 can pour - Thicc, with a dark head that dissipates quickly. Lots of barrel and vanilla on the nose. Fudge, barrel, vanilla are prominent in flavor, with salt and marshmallow filling in gaps and smoothing things out. Long finish.

Canned on 8/29/2022; consumed on 10/2/2023

Pours a silky, motor-oil black body topped with a finger of creamy, hazelnut-hued foam; mediocre head retention leaves a near-blank cap, thin yet rich collar, and minimal-no lacing holding to the walls of the glass with much longevity.

Aromas waft rich dark chocolate fudge veering toward molten peaks of Rocky Road ice cream, with gooey marshmallow residuals contrasting a slick, malty char and extensive barrel subtleties.

Taste brings boozy fudge against warming bourbon upfront, settling as a pointed oak profile underscores waves of cacao-laced marshmallow, burnt caramel, and pangs of roasty malt interspersed through the profile.

Mouthfeel offers a medium body and minimal carbonation, with slick texturing backed by distant creaminess into the mid-palate as edgy bittering prods through ample warmth and boozy layering through the back end and into the swallow.

Rampant booziness impressively contrasts poignant marshmallow decadence, an unexpected nuance muddled slightly by the sheer weight of the barrel expressed over the profile.

12 ounce can into a snifter. Canned 8/29/22, had 5/12/23.

Pours near black and opaque, thick looking, with no head and oily cling. Aromas of chocolate, vanilla, roasted malt, marshmallow, bourbon as it warms, light oak, some char. The bourbon comes to the front in the flavor, then chocolate, vanilla, roasted malt, marshmallow, some oak, sea salt as it warms. Smooth, somewhat creamy, a rich and solid full body, appropriately carbonated.

Bold, hearty flavors and the vanilla and marshmallow are the stars. Loads of chocolate, complimentary barrels. Really enjoyable.

RFOB22 0425

8 ball black with a densely level but short tan head that retains well.

Nougat, Tootsie Roll, and booze make for a yummy pastry treat that retains some maturity without taking itself too seriously.

 

 

 

 

 

Had on tap. Midnight black viscous pour, with a pinky finger of dark brown foam. Great complex and richly full barrels in the nose, vanilla, marshmallow and chocolate brighten a bit but pair well. Taste is much the same, however the finish is a little hot and the salt is finally detected, which I felt was distracting. Feel is full, rich, warm, smooth and heavy.

 

poured from a 12oz can into a perennial snifter. pours a thick, deep obsidian with a finger of dark brown head. foam subsides to a few swirls here and there. beautiful yet intimidating, looking pour. huge marshmallow, bourbon and chocolate on the nose. taste is is bourbon-soaked marshmallows with a salted chocolate finish. full mouthfeel. what a stellar beer. rich, decadent and delightful. perfect balance of barrel, chocolate and vanilla. i was a little worried about the sea salt but it works on the taste (in the finish) so well. loved this!

 

 

Canned 08/29/22

a: Black as night. Dark mocha colored head - pours frothy but recedes fairly quickly.
s: Rich, decadent vanilla & marshmallow comes forth immediately. Dark chocolate hits on a 2nd wave. Oak.
t: So much going on here. Heaps of the vanilla and marshmallow with dark chocolate intermixed. Bourbon and oak. A thread of roasted malts runs throughout in the background. A bit of saltiness comes through on the tail end but as it warms this gains a bit more prominence on the second half.
m: Thick, creamy mouthfeel. medium-low carbonation.
o: This is a top notch BA Stout from HA. So much going on but never in an overwhelming way. It all balances superbly. Really need this to warm up for full appreciation. A sipper in the truest sense. Glad I have one more can left. It will be consumed sooner than later as there is no need to sit on this beer at all imo.