Funky Garden Vol.6
Maltgarden

 

Blind-tasted except for the beer's name, ABV% and brewery/country.
...^that was the plan until I couldn't help noticing the front lable with this in 1Cm high silver lettering: 'Mexican Hot Chocolate Imperial Stout Funky Garden 6'!
L- It pours 'thick + silent' suggesting rich/sweet. The 1mm foam cap entirely disappeared in two seconds which confirms it's notably high ABV% (surface-tension etc). Curious looking beer, 1000% jet black like old oil and not even a peripheral ring of any bubbles.
S- Stranger still, first it smells milky, then the lightest hint of milk chocolate. I was expecting a blast of scent.
T- A touch of brightness, a fruit or hops?+. Though at 11.6% the ABV is likely adding some zing of it's own too. It goes back and forth on the palate between that brightness < - > a notably richer milk chocolate aspect. It is rich, but I served this up quite chilled and it's not at risk of becoming outright sweet yet. I sense the chilli but it's subtle.
F- Rich, deep, you know you're dealing with something designed to be pushing boundaries hard.
O- Curious it's sold in 500ml bottles as 330ml would be more than plenty; made for sharing eh? After 300ml my palate is starting to get a worn out. Interesting to try but perhaps too much going on/'Can't see the wood for the trees'.
Review1995/scoring all done, now the reveal, I get to read the lables to see what I missed!==> Ingredients: Barley malt, oat flakes, rye malt, wheat malt, cocoa nibs, vanilla, cinnamon, chilli peppers, cocoa, hops and yeast.
500ml bottle BB: 26/10/2023 £8.50 Bought from TremblingMadness, York/UK as part of a large pick-your own consignment to London.