Dips & Pieces
Vault City Brewing

 

a no barrel massive pastry stout modeled on chocolate covered peanut butter pretzels, and they nailed it, my first and unfortunately only beer i had from these guys while in scotland, a crying shame based on how good this one is, whoa. deep dark brown and leggy thick with crazy viscosity in the glass, very little head, not missed. insanely dense beer. the nose is amazing, definite chocolate, bitter nibs to be but also a sweeter milk chocolate element, actual peanut butter not the powdered stuff, and even the salt on the outside of the pretzel to me, this is super sweet, but it also has balance, bitter roast, heavy espresso character too, less alcohol than anticipated in the aroma for its strength too. fudge and vanilla and brown sugar, this is real rich, and its all there in the flavor too, but again, so is the pretzel element, which is super impressive, vanilla and chocolate abound, good minerality, roast without being too bitter, its balanced but not as intense as the dessert side, coffee, and good oily slick slightly salty peanut butter, they really nailed that part, and it reads authentic in here, not overdone at all, but very recognizable. great chocolate character, enormous body, sneakily well hidden alcohol strength, regal and highly refined to me, this seems fancy and intentional and even artful in a mucky messy copycat style space, really far ahead of my expectations and one of the better pasty stouts ive had in awhile, especially without any barrel treatment. wish i had more of their stuff while i was over there, but this was memorably delicious. silky and palate coating and long without being totally diabetic, tastes like it says it will, nailed it!