Judge's Review: 96 Rating - Caramel Cake Stout by Wild Leap Brew Co.

Caramel Cake Stout by Wild Leap Brew Co. is being evaluated as a Spice Beer (Category 30A) from the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines.

Caramel Cake pours an inviting opaque black, and the creamy white head leaves a thick and lingering foam stand on the beer. The aroma features light cinnamon with a suggestion of nutmeg and a light vanilla overtone with an impression of sweetness. Moderate caramel and a hint of dark stone fruit esters follow with notes of chocolate, nuts and a hint of roast. Light floral alcohol helps create complexity. 

The flavor greets you with a complementary light cinnamon and vanilla first, quickly followed by light floral alcohol.  Prominent chocolate, nutty maltiness follows with medium-light caramel, which lingers through mid-palate into the medium-sweet finish. A touch of roast and low stone fruit esters makes an appearance in the aftertaste. Moderately light hop bitterness develops late. The solid residual sweetness in the middle dries out enough in the finish to keep from being cloying or distracting. The full body and smooth alcohol warming rounds out this stout and contributes to the richness, complexity and overall drinkability of this beer.

This beer is dessert in a glass (or breakfast, depending on the time of day) with a richness and complexity to take you on a roller coaster ride of aromas and flavors. A light hand was used with the spices and it allowed the base beer to shine through nicely. If this beer is available in your area, seek it out, and plan to take your time with it, as it is truly a sipper.