Mountain Pacific
Western Collective

16oz can from Brewers Haven. Near black pour with filmy brown head. Black coffee aroma, roasty and bitter. Taste brings more coffee with only a hint of chocolate, faint sweet undercurrent and bitter as a mofo.

the beers these guys are making have gotten way better over the past few months, impressively so even, might have to give them a whole new shake, i have been stoked on recent offerings, and they are definitely redeeming themselves for some less than great stuff in the past. this is a tasty stout, a big one, but distinct from the crowd too, not just a syrupy thick boozy bruiser, in fact, its neither thick nor overly alcoholic for the style, and drinks dangerously easy. i was surprised by its somewhat lighter color from the tap, more deep brown than black, and without too much bitter roasted barley in the aroma or the flavor, no bitter linger, but still plenty of depth, dark chocolate notes for sure, almost has to have some cocoa element added, some milk chocolate character too, sweet in the center, but not late, lots of flavor here. i get some coffee too, no bitterness or acidity, but that rich wintery warmth a hot cup brings, some specialty dark malts likely as well, and i get more and more complexity as it warms. its clean on the ferment, its not boozy in the least, and its smooth as can be on the palate, nicely carbonated for the style, and a pretty solid offering overall. a different kind of stout, flavorful but nothing forced, a nice grain build, and at a quality level i am not used to from these guys. hopefully a sign of things to come from them. this was definitely a pleasant surprise yesterday!

A-deep dark brown, modest khaki head
S-heavy on the coffee, lite on the mocha
T-heavy on the mocha, and heavy on the coffee too. Average (-) sweet, above average bitter.
M-Moderate (+) body, some alcohol heat for only 9.8% but not bad
O-tastes like an imperial export stout (sort of a higher aBV Tsunami)

 

Marketed as an Imperial Mocha Stout, and it delivers. Dark brown pour sits opaque jet black in the glass, with a small ring of khaki head. Rich, malty and roasty nose full of smooth coffee and cocoa; the palate is just as rich and smooth with mocha and milk chocolate espresso; coffee is just roasty and bitter enough to offset the subtle sweetness of the chocolate. Fuller bodied, smooth and delicious.