Granville Island Brewery Cocoa Loco American Double / Imperial Stout at 8.7% ABV ($7.59 at South Trail Co-Op, 650ml, no bottle date or best before)
Pours clear brown with amber-brown highlights, one finger of dense tan head diminishing gradually to a thin cap, moderate lacing. (4/5) Nose is dark chocolate, dark roasty malt, slight booziness, faint vanilla. (6/10) Taste is moderate sweet, moderately strong bitter. (5/10) Medium to full body, soft carbonation, moderately strong, slightly harsh bitter finish. (3/5)
To be clear: this is neither black, nor opaque, unless you’re not paying attention. It’s no more black than Coca-Cola, which is a clear deep red. (Lazy reviewers annoy me.) As far as the beer itself goes, this isn’t a great Imperial Stout. It’s OK, but the finish in particular has an edge tending to the harsh. Passable, without being particularly memorable. Too many other solid candidates out there at this price point to give this an unqualified recommendation. (12/20)
6/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
