Smoothest RI stout, I've had.

This review was imported from my RateBeer ratings.

2024 Vintage
12.0 oz. bottle
10.2% ABV
Packaged date: 08/07/24
$9.99 6-pk @ Publix

Note: The brewer states that this beer will continue to develop in the bottle for years to come. Which is why I indicated the vintage that I am reviewing.

AROMA: Mildly salty with moderate scents of soy sauce, and smoke which is then followed by hints of brown sugar and leather. I can't say that I've ever tried a beer whose aroma immediately gave me an impression of "salty". I kinda like it. However, the soy sauce aroma does start to really take over, as the beer warms.

APPEARANCE: Pours an opaque pitch black (think used motor oil) with a very thin, dark tan head that dissipates at a moderate pace. There is no lacing, but that's only because the head is so thin that there is no chance for lacing to take place. Honestly, I'm kind of amazed at how such a thin head lasted as long as it did.

TASTE: At first sip I get moderate flavors of dark roasted coffee and cream, which is followed by ample amounts of unsweetened chocolate. The finish is long and has light flavors of molasses and smoke. The flavor profile is incredibly complex, and with each sip, I get a slightly different impression. Sometimes it seems a little on the sweet side, and sometimes there's no sweetness at all. I'm perplexed and appreciative all at the same time!

MOUTHFEEL: This is, by far, THE most full-bodied beer that I've ever had! I know I made a joke about used motor oil earlier, but the beer is almost that thick (in a good way). The texture is silky-smooth, creamy, and oh-so-dreamy. When it comes to mouthfeel, this is true luxury.

OVERALL: I kind of stumbled across this beer in my local store. I was buying a new Oktoberfest beer to try and saw this on sale, on the shelf nearby. I thought "I like most of Sierra Nevada's beers, so why not give this one a try". When I read the description on the carton I thought, "This is going to be one of those high ABV beers that are over-the-top, cloyingly sweet, which I really don't care for.". But I then noticed that it mentioned baker's (a.k.a unsweetened) chocolate as one of the flavor notes. So I thought maybe that would tame some of the sweetness level, and decided to give the beer a try. Turns out, it was a VERY, VERY good decision, as this is one of the most unusual, yet highly-rewarding beers that I've ever tried. About the only "knock" that I can give it is that the aroma didn't really match up to the taste. I liked the aroma, and I liked the taste. However, the aroma "promised" a much more savory and smoky flavor than what was actually delivered. But I ain't complainin'!!

My only concern is that if I let a few of these bottle age, a year or two, in the bottle then they will become one of those cloyingly-sweet, high ABV, beers that I don't really care for. Hopefully, I have the restraint to save at least one bottle, just so I can find out. In the meantime, I highly recommend drinking the 2024 vintage in 2024!

Dark brownish-black pour with a medium tan head that diminishes steadily. Small patches of lacing on the glass. The aroma consists of roasted malt, chocolate and a bit of licorice. Full-bodied with a roasty character of coffee and chocolate malt, along with a bit of dark fruit and anise. The finish is roasty with a charred malt aftertaste.