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Tracy Hensley's picture

Cosmic Ristretto

March, 2016
Judges Rating: 
90
Aroma: 
22 / 24
Appearance: 
6 / 6
Flavor: 
36 / 40
Mouthfeel: 
9 / 10
Overall Impression: 
17 / 20

From a foot away, strong expressive and unique espresso and cacao nib aromas explode from this clear, ruby-brown beer with a persistent tan head.. As the beer warms, it evinces chocolate bar, dark graham cracker, roasted hazelnut pieces in a praline chocolate cake, low alcohol, nutrient rich dirt, and brown earthy mushroom aromas. At first, strong roasted charred wood and espresso bean flavors evolve into a dark mocha espresso with charred pieces of fire-roasted, blackened pork bitterness and an aftertaste of pleasing fireplace smoke and clean alcohol warmth. A medium-plus body, high carbonation, mocha creaminess cut by roasted bitterness, and pleasing, medium-high, throat-warming alcohol make this an interesting, flavorful and complex beer. Overall, this is an intense, overly-charred and bitter coffee porter.