Rise & Grind Maple
Manayunk Brewery and Restaurant

Manayunk Brewing Co. "Rise & Grind Imperial Brunch Stout (Maple)"
22 oz. brown glass bottle, capped and waxed

Notes via stream of consciousness: "Brewed with Oats, Coffee, Maple Syrup & Cacao Nibs" "Aged in Bourbon barrels". Wow, that's a pretty impressive line-up. I'm a little surprised the Bourbon barrel aging wasn't advertised better on the label, the font is really small. Anyway, it's poured an opaque brown-black body with just a glimmer of dark mahogany showing at the base of the glass. The head is a creamy dark tan. It smells like coffee beans, oak, and Bourbon. It's very rustic smelling. I'm not finding and maple or chocolate, well maybe just a hint of chocolate but that could be coming from the malts and not the cacao nibs. The flavor delivers the maple though. It's clear but not overdone, and blends well with the oily coffee bean flavor. There's some alcohol there as well. How strong is this? 10.3%, I had no idea. I'd better be careful. It doesn't seem like a big beer other than the alcohol, which is honestly not so apparent amidst everything else that's going on. And It's not full bodied or sweet, it's pretty well attenuated and medium bodied. A soft carbonation helps, leaving it very smooth. Ahh, there's a little bit of yeasty fruitiness in there as well, and I'm getting the Bourbon much clearer now that it's warming. Still not finding the cacao nibs though. There's not a lot of bitterness to it but there doesn't need to be as the alcohol and oak and acidity from the coffee handle that side really well. I should warn you right now that this isn't a beer to be taken lightly, it's a serious, strong, flavor packed beast that really does deserve a hearty breakfast to go alongside it (I can only imagine how nicely it would work with some salty, fatty, and smoked bacon!). And with that said, it's not some gimmicky, sweet "breakfast stout". Be prepared. Two thumbs up. ps ~ I'm getting the cacao nibs now, about halfway through the glass as it's warmed and opened up a lot more. Complex brew. Nice.

 

 

 

Creamy tan head with nice notes of bourbon and coffee. Taste is chocolate brownies, bourbon, bitter coffee and a nice maple finish. Feel is chewy goodness and pours like motor oil. Overall, stellar brew and a nice surprise. Salute!