Midnight Kraken
Big Oyster Brewery

 

A well-carbonated liquid poured out of a pint can into a clear glass liter mug. Plenty of tightly composed light tan head resulted, but the entire contents of the can managed to fit. The color the liquid is barely lighter tinted than black coffee brown. Its aroma is rich with vanilla and roasted malt, but the coffee stands out. Roasted malt, coffee and vanilla are there to taste in good balance. The vanilla adds an interesting sweetness counterbalance to the bitterness brought by the hops and toasted inclusions. It's not just superficial, it lasts throughout much of the finish. Pronounced, but it's never too sweet. The mouthfeel is about normal for a coffee stout, which tend to run a little thinly. It's not so rich and sweet to make it a dessert beer, but it's flavorful enough to be enjoyed. There's even some nice glass lacing.

Big Oyster Brewery "Midnight Kraken"
16 fl. oz. can without production codes or freshness dating
$4.99 @ Total Wine & More, Claymont, DE

Notes via stream of consciousness: With a name like "Midnight Kraken" you have to give it a shot, right? It's poured an opaque black body beneath a thumb's width of tan colored foam. The aroma offers up mainly dark roasted coffee beans. The taste delivers on that in a big way with an additional note of vanilla that sweetens things a bit and balances the roastiness of the barley and coffee. There's a lot of apple-like fruitiness to it, some chocolate, cocoa powder, a drizzle of golden caramel, and I think, some lactose. A moderate to median bitterness that balances it nicely. The coffee and roastiness linger for quite a long time. It's a pretty intense beer but I'm still getting some alcoholic presence, even at just 7% ABV. In the mouth it's medium bodied on the fuller side, and gently crisp then smooth. I appreciate that they didn't overdo the vanilla, there's just enough, and it's balanced nicely but it could be a little more rounded and polished. Overall: nicely done!
Review #9,378