It's September, and Ed and I are in Wisconsin. It was high time to return to Oliphant, who I had not visited since before this current mess we're in. Seating was available outside, as well as limited seating inside, though some changes were made, of course. The bar was not available for use, and was cordoned off by a wall, decorated by some of Jeremy's spooky designs
One server, in this case Rhiannon, took orders at one side, and another handled the pouring, handing it off to the customer on the far end of the bar. A set-up very similar to how Wild Mind is doing it.
When Wisconsin originally opened up, it was premature and bar-goers acted like it was all over, burning masks and using no social distancing. Because of things like this, we're all still in it, and Wisconsin is trying to reconcile, even doubling down, forcing establishments to operate at 25% capacity. Oliphant has been exemplary in this, not opening for several weeks after the re-open, while most of Dairyland bellied up with abandon. They're taking it seriously and playing safe. Look below for pictures from this visit.
There weren't a lot of new beers to me on this stop, but I made sure to get them checked off the list. A month later, my memory is foggy and the phone was losing power, so I only checked into Samurai Karate Guy. Why not take notes, Al, with a pad and pen? Oh, I've gotten out of the habit of that. They certainly don't fail like technology does. Perhaps I need to start anew.
Anyway, I started with Spooky Squishy, since reviewed from a can, and moved on to S'more Talent, the latest in the "talent" series of imperial stouts, this one based on that popular snack, the s'more. Ed says to me, "I thought you hated marshmallows in beer." I shrugged. "So, you make exceptions for your favorites?" Me: "What are you going to do?"
And here are notes from a can, consumed safely at home:
Oliphant S'more Talent Imperial Stout.
10 % ABV. Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI.
Imperial Stout with graham crackers, marshmallows, cacao nibs, and vanilla.
Stygian-hued, complete opacity, lush brown head, soon to settle.
In the nose: Roasty/toasty. big time sweetness, chocolate a-go-go. Rich, thick, crazy. The sum of the parts seems to be in this aroma.
In the mouth: Huge chocolate hits the palate first, rich and delicious. Nearly over-indulgent with the cocoa. Getting some impressions of the graham cracker, maybe I'm picking up the marshmallow, can't really be sure. Dark, sweet, rich, toasted and roasted. Full-bodied, but rather easy drinking, despite the high ABV. Not nearly thick. Maybe it's the marshmallows. ...sigh...marshmallows...In 2020, we put marshmallows in beer like it's not deeply, unmistakably weird.
So, I like this. But, let's not make this a thing, okay?
Oliphant Brewing's 6th Year Anniversary imperial stout brewed with marshmallows and graham crackers then rested on cacao nibs and vanilla.
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