Dark Adaptation: Cacao, Pecans and Coconut
Branch and Blade Brewing

 

A: Pours an opaque yet still clear thick viscous jet black in color with light to moderate amounts of fine active visible carbonation rising along the edges of the glass and faint dark cola brown + dark chestnut brown + dark amber + dark garnet red colored highlights. The beer has a three finger tall creamy foamy extremely dark mocha head that slowly reduces to a handful of small to medium sized patches of thin film surrounded by a large patch of very mottled extremely thin film covering a little more than 80% of the surface of the beer and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate to significant amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate to strong aromas of chocolate + toasted + roasted + caramel malts with moderate to heavy amount of lactose sweetness. Slightly stronger than moderate aromas of dark chocolate + milk chocolate + fudge + marshmallow and moderate aromas of pecans + vanilla. Hints of earthy hops.

T: Upfront there are moderate to strong flavors of chocolate + toasted + roasted + caramel malts with moderate to heavy amount of lactose sweetness. That is followed by slightly stronger than moderate flavors of dark chocolate + milk chocolate + fudge + marshmallow and moderate flavors of pecans + vanilla. Finally there are hints of earthy hops. Light to moderate amounts of roasty bitterness underneath pretty big lingering chocolate + lactose sweetness.

M: Full bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Smooth and creamy.

O: Drinks pretty easily considering the strength and sweetness with a full creamy mouthfeel. Enjoyable dessert stout with tons of chocolate and some marshmallow along with lighter notes of pecan.

Very cloying- @ 11% it’s very well hidden
This is a small pour kinda beer

 

A: The beer is jet black in color. It poured with a mocha colored head that quickly died down, leaving a thin ring of bubbles around the edge of the glass.
S: Moderate aromas of dark malts are present in the nose along with notes of pecans.
T: The taste follows the smell and has additional flavors of cacao nibs and marshmallow.
M: It feels medium- to full-bodied and a bit fluffy (fro the marshmallow and cacao nibs) on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer is quite easy to drink considering its strength because it hides any traces of alcohol very well and it isn't that heavy on the palate.

Serving type: can

creamy sweet stout , slightly strong very enjoyable

 

Poured into a Fremont small snifter. Pours nearly black, appearing opaque black in the glass with a somewhat fizzy, quarter finger dark khaki head that dissipates to a thin patch with moderate lacing. Aroma of dark toasted malt, nuts, vanilla and toasted coconut. Flavor is dark toasted malt, pecans, coconut, light cocoa and vanilla; nutty finish. Medium bodied with moderate creaminess. A solid flavored pastry stout with pecans being the dominant flavor. Unlike most nut stouts, I could clearly taste pecans, rather than generic nuts. The coconut and chocolate are milder, but still distinct. My second pastry stout in a row with pastry flavor I want, but dialed back on the sweetness, which I appreciate. Lightly sweet, but the pecan flavor is allowed to shine. Nicely done.