A Collaboration by Jason Fields & Kevin Sheppard, Troegs, & Stone: Cherry Chocolate Stout. 12 fluid ounce bottle. 7.3% Alc/vol. Brewed and bottled by the Stone Brewing Company, Escondido, San Diego county, CA.
I will not repeat here the story told by Mitch Steele, Head Brewer, Stone Brewing Company, April, 2011. But it tells the tale of the brewing of this beer with gusto and enthusiasm, with none of the nonsense and hyperbole normally found on this bottles.
Intense black, thorough opacity, slim cocoa-tinged head, starts proud and dies down.
Roasted malt and espresso in the nose. Not much more, but we'll give it time. Let it open up. Hints of fruit, chocolate's starting to show. It's there, but not terribly loud, erring on the side of subtle.
So, drink up, already. Ah, here we have it happening in harmony, the rich, roasty malt, the mellow cherries, the sweet but serene chocolate. All in there at once, with no one side dominating another. Sweet chocolate and cherries never quite cloy, but close to it.
Full-bodied, rich and thick, beautifully layered, and delicately flavored. Medium length finish, and all in all, not too anything. Balance with complexity. Excellent combination.
The dry sour/sweet cherry flavors rolls back in, taking turns with chocolate. This one keeps growing and changing, and I find myself liking it more and more.
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