71/100) Smokestack Chocolates

I have set myself the goal to review three beers or ciders every week for 100 weeks. I will be learning about beer and ciders more as I do this, and if I am successful in this venture, I will have tried about 300 unique drinks. If you're curious how I'm doing, the number in the post's title tells you which week I am in now.

Chocolate Ale, Imperial Stout Coffee, Imperial Stout Aztec Chocolate

October is pretty much the opposite time of year for Valentine's day so this line-up of Chocolate beers didn't work as any sort of romantic gift or wooing attempt. However, I suggest you keep them in mind for next year. If you have someone awesome who like beer, perhaps a chocolate beer or two is in order.

Chocolate Ale) First of all, throw out all your ideas as to what happens when chocolate and beer collide. This ale was a whopping 9% ABV but as clear and as light in color as an amber. The initial even tasted like an ale, but the finish had bittersweet chocolate overtones. They vanished as soon as they arrived, and the linger was short. I could see myself having this on a consistent basis. ☆☆☆☆

Imperial Stout Coffee Ale) As expected, the taste was somewhat similar to the normal Imperial Stout X. I presume that would be obvious, but if you could remove the coffee flavors, the two would be identical. Boulevard didn't skimp on their coffee, so instead of adding an astringency and harshness, the coffee brought touches of mellow smoothness. Rich and pleasant, I liked this one more than the Aztec one that follows, but just less than the normal version. However, as might be my one complaint about Boulevard, they make a decent imperial coffee stout. I just want something more crazy is all especially when splurging on a larger bottle. Regardless, I just need to remember that coffee in beer still imparts caffeine. I couldn't sleep until about two in the morning after this. Oops. ☆☆☆

Imperial Stout Aztec Chocolate Ale) Again, the taste was similar to the normal Imperial Stout X. I can only guess that the addition of the Aztec chocolate made this one a bit sweeter, but in exchange it softened the richness of the normal version. I wasn't enamored with this one. It's still a decent representation of the style, it just played safe when that wasn't necessary. I am making it sound bad, but I really enjoyed it. It just wasn't bowling me over with over-the-top impact. ☆☆☆