Keg pour from NH Brewfest. Appearance is dark black pour with small amount of amber/red at edges of glass, off-white ring of head with attractive lacing, no sparkle. Aroma is roasted malts with good amount of coffee, chocolate, and vanilla. Taste is moderately sweet (maybe a tad too much?) with more chocolate than coffee. Palate is medium with mainly soft/mellow carbonation overall but small amount of zing, finish is balance of bitter and sweet with slight nod to sweet. Overall, high marks all around.

Can from the Brewery. Clean very dark brown with faint garnet at the edges and a decent sized tightly bubbled beige head that shows moderate retention. Rich chocolate kissed with vanilla on the nose, along with lightly creamed coffee and hints of earth. The flavor is sweet sugary milk chocolate and coffee milk with a touch of caramel creme candies. Earthy hop flavor and a touch of ethanol helps to balance the malty sweetness. Medium body with light to moderate level of carbonation. Malty coffee and chocolate with hints of vanilla, thats a pretty good beer.