New Belgium Brewing Company / Perennial Artisan Ales Lips of Faith – Salted Belgian Chocolate Stout American Double / Imperial Stout at 9% ABV ($12.20 at Sherbrooke Liquor, 650ml, best before 27-Mar-2016)
Pours opaque brown with one finger of tan head diminishing gradually to a thin skim, moderate lacing. (4/5) Nose is dark chocolate, roasty dark malts, mild dark fruits, faint smoke and salt. (7/10) Taste is mild sweet, mild bitter, mild salt. (7/10) Full body, low sustained carbonation, sticky mildly bitter and salt finish. (4/5)
Not unpleasant by any means, but I have to say I was expecting more of a salted chocolate punch. Both flavours are there, but restrained. Which, probably, is a more sophisticated approach than the beast I was anticipating. (Guess I’m just unsophisticated at heart.) Nicely balanced and restrained almost to the point of delicate. (16/20)
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
