Rocky Road
Smuttynose Brewing Co.
Story by:
Chris Guest
Wood-Aged Beer
Special Release
New Hampshire
United States
Judges Ratings 92
Aroma: 22 / 24
Flavor: 38 / 40
Appearance: 5 / 6
Mouthfeel: 8 / 10
Overall Impression: 19 / 20
Description
Remember when you were first introduced to Rocky Road ice cream? Remember how you couldn’t believe some magical genius had mixed those amazing flavors into one ice cream? We sure do. That’s the feeling we’ve recreated with Rocky Road, Smutty’s first dessert stout. An indulgent blend of ooey-gooey FluffTM amazingness and the rich goodness of cacao nibs are blended into a full bodied sweet, stout beer. Before bottling, we age this elixir on amaretto soaked oak chips to impart an amazing flavor harmony. Don’t worry if you spill a drop of Rocky Road – we know you’ll lick it right up.
Beverage Profile
ABV: 7.30%
IBUs: 25
Served at: ()
Hops: Magnum, Bravo, Sterling
Malts: North American Two-Row, Munich 10L, Carahell, C-120, Carastan, Brown Malt, Chocolate Malt, Roasted Barley
Judges Review
By Rodney A. Tillinghast
Judges Ratings 92
Aroma: 22 / 24 / 24
Flavor: 38 / 40 / 40
Appearance: 5 / 6 / 6
Mouthfeel: 8 / 10 / 10
Overall Impression: 19 / 20 / 20
“Dark as a stormy night with a sweet kiss of chocolate bourbon;” that’s the phrase that kept going through my mind as I sipped on this luscious stout. This brew poured mighty dark, and I coaxed a nice, tightly formed head into my snifter, which was followed up in the aroma by strong, dark chocolate notes supported by a light vanilla toasted scent. The aroma was a very enticing entrance into a very sweet and fulfilling Imperial Stout.
This ale’s flavor was a terrific mix of sweet chocolate, dark fruit, vanilla and bourbon. It was quite balanced and was supported by a very modest hop bitterness character. In the finish, this beer left you with a very silky impression – one that stayed with me throughout the sample.
This Imperial Stout seems well-crafted, and would be favored by those who appreciate a more refined, sweeter ale. The chocolate notes are very interesting, and this would be a great sipping beer next to a fireplace with the winter winds howling outside.
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