2019 Sweet Stout
Red Hart Brewing

500ml bottle poured into tulip. This beer was brewed with tonka beans, a bean I have never even heard of. Apparently it's illegal in the States for reasons too stupid to discuss here.

Pours inky black with one plump finger of brown head that leaves some nice clouds of lace as it recedes.

Smells of sweet vanilla (presumably from the advertised tonka beans), cinnamon toast, rum cake, chocolate covered cherries and sweet creamy coffee.

Tastes of more spicy rum cake, more tonka bean vanilla fruitiness, soft black licorice, more chocolate cherries, cold coffee and faint smoke.

Feels a touch limp. Full bodied with weak carbonation. Finishes chewy.

Verdict: Vigorously recommended. The carbonation wasn't great, but otherwise, this is a fantastic beer. Hopefully our American friends will learn to embrace the tonka bean.

A rare gem purchased at Alberta Beer Exchange. Thanks to one of the owners for pointing this rarity out to me.

A dollar from this brew goes to support Simama Project, supporting at-risk kids in Nanyuki, Kenya.

Appearance - Pours a jet black with two fingers of tan head.

Smell - earthy and leafy hops, cocoa, coffee bean, vanilla bean, roasted malts, and earthy yeast.

Taste - earthy and leafy hops upfront. The cocoa, coffee and vanilla bean follow suit. The lactose comes through next providing a creamy texture to the brew. The roasted malts and earthy yeast round out the brew.

Mouthfeel - Medium to full bodied with moderate carbonation. Finishes velvety smooth with all ingredients lingering.

Overall - A pleasant sweet stout that is more on the American/Imperial side of things. This one is full of flavour and pleasant to sample. If you find yourself at Alberta Beer Exchange grab yourself a bottle and you won't be disappointed depending on if they have them still in stock. Well executed overall for my first go at this new Alberta brewery!