“Maple syrup and chocolate dessert stout, sweet, decadent but still very friendly.”

Glassware: Snifter.

Appearance: Black as midnight with a thumb of dark tan head resting atop. It holds its shape well and weaves a fine lace down the sides of the glass.

Aroma: Maple and chocolate goodness. We love it when a beer states what its adjuncts are then they display themselves front and centre. Beautiful 50/50 split between the maple and chocolate too…a little bit of sugary and caramelised maple sweetness blending with a little bittersweet and nutty chocolate. The base stout also provides a robust coffee note, roasted malt, vanilla and cocoa powder.

Flavour: Good depth and complexity. It’s not as black and white as the aroma where the maple and chocolate stood out against the base stout as a backdrop. It’s all a lot more integrated. The maple and chocolate might be the first to hit the taste buds but the base stout rallies around it with its hearty mix of coffee, cocoa powder, roasted nuts, vanilla and subtle molasses. Good length on it too.

Mouthfeel: Nice and dense, muscly, smooth AF. Medium-full body with fine carbonation. The 6.6% ABV was really well buried.

Overall: Look, it’s not going to blow anyone’s socks off but it’s a well structured pastry stout. The adjunct flavours are nicely poised and the base stout supports it all. Decent.