Mocha Moon Imperial Coffee Stout by Gnarly Barley Brewing Co. was reviewed under the auspices of the Beer Judge Certification Program Guidelines (Revised 2021) under category 34B Mixed-Style Beer. This particular category covers a plethora of styles. The below captioned is presented as an Imperial Coffee Stout.
Lots going on here. An abundance of aromatics greet the nostrils with a roasted chocolate-like aroma leading the way and combining with a rich malty presence and stone fruits to create a powerful fragrant experience.
Deep brown (almost black) color, crowned with a dark coffee-colored head. Too dark to judge clarity.
The flavor delivers a robust coffee character that is more perceptible here than in the nose. A firm malt base supports the higher roasted nature of this beer and blends well with a chocolate bar taste accompanied by vanilla notes and fruity esters.
A full-bodied beer that's almost chewy with some astringency, although not from over hopping or over-sparging, but as might be expected from higher levels of roasted coffee. A firm alcoholic warmth is present without being hot or unpleasant as defined per style parameters of the base beer.
A complexity of well-conceived roasted ingredients that deliver a powerful punch of rich flavors.
