Moonlight Kettle Series (2019): GhoSt Out
Muskoka Brewery

A- Pours a semi hazy golden amber color, with orange hues throughout. The head is off white in color itself, pours thick and creamy....about 2 fingers in thickness, and retains excellently, eventually settling down into a thick froth over top the liquid. Carbonation is aggressive, with many fine columns rising in uniform fashion....almost champagne like. The lacing is rich as well, with a thick film coating the inside of the glass with a little bit of a swirl, and does not retreat! Overall a fine looking white stout!

S- I get lovely aromas of fresh toasty coffee grounds, almond nuttiness, chocolate (both milk and white varieties, toffee and caramel sweetness. I also get whiffs of vanilla bean, smokey Earth/soil and on the finish, an ever so balanced hop bitterness on the finish.......almost like green tea. Interesting!

T- I let this warm up purposefully to allow the robustness of the awaiting flavors to really shine through.....glad I did this! Burnt toffee/brown sugar malt sweetness immediately upfront, followed swiftly by astringent french press black coffee, mocha, white/milk/dark chocolates, vanilla creme, creamy yeasty biscuit, and a general muted lactose sweetness that really helps to bring all of these flavors together. The finish is long, being slightly of Earthy leafy hops, but becoming more like heavy cream....this lasts long afterwards on the palate.

M/O- Medium-full body and the carbonation, while looking super aggressive, is actually quite effervescent and wee tight in nature, which is what I was hoping for, making this a unique take on a classic style! Drinkability is actually quite high, as the alcohol is well hidden.....I feel this would pair well with a roast dinner with all the traditional sides. I surely hope to get the opportunity to enjoy this again and wouldn't be against Muskoka turning this into a regular seasonal! Highly recommended....great job!

Appearance - Pours a pale amber gold with three fingers of frothy white head that fades.

Smell - roasted malts, earthy and leafy hops, coffee bean, cocoa, hint of caramel, and earthy yeast.

Taste - roasted malts upfront then quickly goes into the coffee bean, cocoa, hint of caramel, and earthy and leafy hops. The earthy yeast rounds out the brew.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Finishes smooth with the coffee bean, cocoa, and hint of caramel lingering.

Overall - A pleasant and drinkable white stout. I wish the cocoa, coffee bean, and caramel were a bit more profound in the aroma and taste but otherwise a respectable brew.