Wide Awake It's Morning

Bottle, new batch, shared by James on 6/10/16.
Deep ebony, of indeterminable clarity with a tan head atop that is large and shows moderately strong-to-strong retention.
After the disaster that was French Vanilla Militia (and most imperial stouts these days, it seems), I was not exactly chomping at the bit to try this, but what a pleasant surprise....dark chocolate combines with maple-like earthy-sweetness (that doesn’t make much sense, I know) and a ton of raisins and vanilla to give a strong aroma but the dark chocolate-like roastiness is ever-present keeping the caramel, raisin, fudge and such from becoming too dominant. Coffee notes are pretty reserved and it’s not a mass of burnt, black, sharp french roast, thankfully. Fruitiness reminds of the best English-style Imperial stouts and there is no sign of the alcohol, in the nose.
Even better, is the flavor, with prune, raisin and creme brulee balancing chocolate, light roast coffee and vanilla-tinged caramel. The flavors are all highly enjoyable and while it’s pretty sweet and fairly thick, both the tight carbonation and fair amount of attenuation coupled with the fruity acidity, make for a surprisingly balanced beer. On the finish of every sip, just as the fudge and caramel is about to take over, the raisin, prune and roasted barley notes dry things out considerably adding a bright zip to the end. No alcohol noted. Very happily finished my glass and then some. Easy drinking.

22 oz bottle. Shared with DCLawyer and my friend Tyler. From a trade with markwise, cheers Mark! Dark brownish black with tan head. Aromas of maple syrupl, dark chocolate. Tastes of maple syrup, dark chocolate, subtle smoke. Medium-full body with a dry finish.

32 oz. Crowler shared by Willrunforbeer, dude, many accolades. Nose is a sweet maple syrup, lasting chocolate. Pretty decent amount of coffee.

Taste is awfully sweet. Coffee with creamer, chocolate, and mild nuances of vanilla. Finishes bitter and sweet with lingering sticky maple syrup texture. I am left searching for the "bacon" or sweet smoke notes that would imply meat. Body is fuller but not quite "stout" like. Honestly, still a wonderful stout but I think I prefer the original Porter version. I will not be a overly critical snob.

Poured from crowler thanks Willrunforbeer brown black pour nice lacing with a thin mocha head. Aromas of fresh coffee maple syrup mild smoke butterscotch. Taste is malty sweetness coffee maple hint of smoke dark fruit. Amazing aroma needs more bacon!

Bottle thanks to Grant. Pours a very dark brown with medium beige head that lasts. The aroma is strong maple syrup, coffee bean, chocolate. Thick mouth, maple, roast, coffee bean, chocolate, nice booze, really enjoyed this one.

Bottle -Pours black tan head - nose/taste of cinnamon, sweet maple bacon, coffee, roast chocolate - full bodied

Draft. A black beer with a dark brown head. The aroma has notes of roasted malt, prunes, maple sirup, coffee, over ripe fruit, and alcohol. TBE flavor is sweet with notes of roasted malt, prunes, chocolate, ash, over ripe fruits,, maple sirup, and coffee, and alcohol, leading to a dry roasted finish.

Tap@Himmeriget, Copenhagen - Pours Black with a beige head. Roasted and sweet malty aroma and taste with some caramel and maple syrup sweetness, cocoa, nuances of dark fruit, brown sugar, velvet mouthfeel, gorgeous stuff. ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone