Santa Bae-Bee
Bearded Bee Brewing Company

This one is clear and very dark, velvety brown to black. A thin, dark chestnut head is formed of fine bubbles that rapidly evaporate. A thin ring and a ghostly veil deposit themselves on a Pretentious Glass Company snifter. Otherwise, there is no lace, nor is there the anticipated viscous film.

Rich chocolate and peppermint are lifted to the nose on alcohol fumes about the strength of Bourbon. Sweetness is up front, followed by pleasant roasted chocolate.

The flavor is shockingly bitter, given expectations from the aroma. There is no sweetness and no peppermint. Baker's chocolate and black coffee are pervasive, with roasted malt being very strong and bordering on burnt. The malt bitterness continues to build into a long and strong finish. The flavor and aroma could easily be confused as having come from two different glasses.

The body is light to medium and the alcohol is as expected, though bitterness seems to make it feel a little higher. The texture is silky, with ample, fine sandpaper from the carbonation.

This beer would fair better as a straight-up Stout and if the peppermint were more noticeable in the flavor. Warmth does help, bringing out the mint, although a little too late. This is not what I would expect from a Sweet Milk Stout, however, I enjoyed it very much on a cold, winter afternoon, simply thinking of it as an American Stout.