The Alley Cat
Brown Beard Brewing Co.

Draft at Brown Beard. Near black pour, one finger beige head. Aroma is dominated by the roasty malts. Taste is roasty, smoky, chocolate with the bourbon cropping up at the back. Sweetness up front, bitter finish, light boozy notes.

breakfast stout done with maple syrup and possibly coffee, and aged on bourbon barrel staves, neat! clever recipe and pretty good execution, although less compelling technically than their blonde stout, these flavors really work well together. deep brown color but not black, middle of the road viscosity and a matte luster but not sedimented, short lived tan head on it from the tap. the nose suggests coffee, good roastiness to the dark grain, but stopping short of being charred or bitter. the maple is sweet and warming and pleasant in this, not overdone, and i definitely get a little oak and a vanilla note with it, good depth. the flavor follows, a little muted but similar notes as the aroma, milk chocolate sweetness in the middle, more robust roast on the back end, and sweetened by the maple from start to finish, a nice linger on the palate after each sip, very subtle whiskey coming out as it warms, but more wood. nice and sturdy but not heavy, fuller medium bodied and with well hidden alcohol strength. nice brew overall, just a little refinement away from being fantastic. these guys are off to a great start!