A sip reveals a bit of a mess. There is the chocolate, a hint of sweetness ensconced in the bitterness, a heap of coffee grounds, and the whole thing is just so compressed and heavy that a sip is just magnifying the incongruities that should be making this beer stand out. It's a good bet that this beer has a better chance of getting a good rating if I drink it in a proper fashion, so I'm going to swig it.
Tip-in is bitter chocolate and smoke. The smoke is presumably coming from the malt, and the carbonation bite is pretty minimal, but it is letting me know that this is a live beer, and I should take notice that it is fresh. Duly noted, carbonation. The middle of the beer is actually a very nice sort of smooth and milky flow that goes down without a hitch. As the finish starts to gather itself, a wave of coffee hits the tongue with a slight hint of smoked cherries. I can't say the finish is my favorite, but it's the only part that is letting this beer down.
Bottom Line: Sometimes trying too hard is still pretty good.
2.25/5