“Starting a downhill descent into the unknown requires a level of composure to make it to the bottom in one piece, Descent 20, like its five predecessors requires plenty of composure, a little birthday magic and a nice warm fire to get you to the bottom of this beer!” 

Glassware: Snifter.

Appearance: Impenetrable black with two fingers of well retained brown foam resting atop. Excellent lacing as we go.

Aroma: Kind of like D19 where there’s not a whole lot that screams RIS. Sure, it’s big and boozy and there’s a solid base of charred malts and inky astringency but it seems something is missing. Maybe we’re being harsh as it does begin to open up as it settles – rich and complex notes of dried dark fruits, baker’s chocolate, bourbon oak, slightly fruity hops and sweet coffee come forward. Not half bad in the end.

Flavour: Like the aroma in the sense that we get a real messy intro of ink, muddled dark fruits and syrupy sweetness. But it somehow seems to correct itself and the yummy roasty characters kick in… charred wood, raw coffee bean, dark chocolate, licorice and gritty earthy-ness. Nice shift in to a roasty, mildly bitter and chocolatey finish which endures nicely.

Mouthfeel: Oily yet well carbonated. Medium body. The 10% ABV is pretty well behaved. Slightly timid for the style though.

Overall: Not the most mind blowing beer we’ve had from Bentspoke but it’s pretty good all the same. Not gonna be sweating on D21 though, if you catch our drift.