Madhouse Brewing Barrel Aged Carpe Diem 2019

Sweet vanilla nose rounds out coffee, red-berry esters, and dark-chocolate. In the flavor, roast-malt sharpness tempers mild sweetness, light caramel plays with vanilla and fig-cherry esters. Solidly presented, rich coffee stout. Very mochaccino.

This is at least 500 yards of velvet goodness. Coffee, maple, and vanilla blend very nicely in the aroma. Taste is the same, very smooth, velvety, and big. This one is hard to put down. As it warms, it gets even better. The barrel aspect comes out in the finish—some char to help balance the sweetness. Mouthfeel has a very silky texture. This is a beer we would gladly enjoy in a coffee mug while camping or hanging out by a fire late at night. Not overtly sweet, this can be a full glass of fun.

**Aroma:** “Coffee and vanilla, bourbon notes up front with a touch of sweetness and a bit of alcohol in the nose. Some dark fruits, vanilla, and bourbon. Mild barrel flavors emerge as it warms—almond, vanilla, toasted oak.” **Flavor:** “Rich chocolate and coffee flavors dance on the tongue, hitting all flavor centers. Medium barrel characters do emerge above the chocolate/coffee copulation, but the complex malt profile is the feature. Caramel and coffee are intricately bound with oak tannins to create this gorgeous palette of flavors. Finish is spicy, earthy, and sweet.” **Overall:** “Awesome. Unreal. The coffee was insanely good and this beer is amazing. Dark fruit and chocolate and smooth coffee in perfect balance. Coffee and barrel character create a truly unique and incredible experience. A delicious beer that everyone should seek out.”