Great Lakes Blackout Stout
Almost pitch black with a few ruby highlights at the bottom of the glass, and a layer of tan lace more persistent than average for an RIS. Aroma is mostly freshly ground coffee with mild milk chocolate behind. Taste is sweet but heavy on roasted malt up front, mild mocha and milk chocolate in the middle, and leafy but balanced hops in the finish with more heavily sweetened coffee flavor vying for supremacy. Just a kiss of alcohol noticed in the finish as well, not nearly as "hot" as, say, Brooklyn Black Chocolate. Mouthfeel is where this beer stands out -- it's superbly balanced and dangerously more-ish. Simply a delicious and highly drinkable beer; I had to make an effort to pace myself against the high ABV. A must-have RIS.