Societe The Butcher

**Aroma:** “Heavy roast up front, with a touch of ash and smoke. Some chocolate, toffee, and coffee notes are present, as well as a really nice earthy, woodsy flavor that emerges as it warms. Some fruity yeast esters of banana, dark cherry, stone fruit, and pear. Some rich malt and bread crust, with black licorice and molasses.” **Flavor:** “Similar to the aroma with its heavy roast, but that’s kept in check with some nice dark malt sweetness. Dark chocolate and light vanilla, with some dark cherry, raisin, earthy, and herbal notes, add complexity. The body is smooth and velvety, and it’s rich and chewy throughout. There’s a nice huskiness from the roasted malt that offsets the conspicuous heat from the alcohol, but it’s the chocolate flavor that pulls everything together. Finishes with light bitterness, medium smoke, and big chocolate.” **Overall:** “This is a delicious beer that slightly tweaks convention and creates a unique and awesome beer. It’s a pretty solid imperial stout—not offensive for the high alcohol, and all the dark roasty components come together fairly well. It will hold up to the richest of desserts or the boldest of cigars. Definitely a sipper!”

“Dark chocolate and roast on the nose, relatively muted, with light coffee and heavy cream. In the flavor: a boozy dark-chocolate vanilla, with fruity coffee accentuating the sweet base. Dark, creamy espresso component emerges as it warms.”

__Aroma:__ “Lots of vanilla, followed closely by milk chocolate. Very light chile and cinnamon, with some roast. It’s an appealing aroma that promises a sweet holiday stout—it smells like a sugar cookie. Woody, with a slightly acidic aroma.” __Flavor:__ “The cinnamon is a dominant player on the palate. Vanilla and milk chocolate support, with a touch of cayenne and alcoholic heat in the finish. More chile heat than expected. The barrel lends some booziness, but not much sweet coconut or vanilla from the wood. Light coffee notes, with cocoa, roast malt, caramel, and sweetness to balance.” __Overall:__ “Incredibly complex, with all the right pieces, yet a bit hot. The big barrel flavor blends well with the Mexican chocolate, and just enough alcohol.”