On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, rich anise-spiced espresso stout receives candi-sugared Belgian yeast influence to sweeten dark-roasted mocha malting. Bittersweet coffee bean vibrancy increased by gooey anise, fudgy vanilla, black chocolate, dark cocoa and gunky molasses for chewy mocha-spiced dessert.    

Exquisite 2014 bottled version increases integral sweet bourbon whiskey influence for more affluent fudgy brown chocolate malting. Dry hop roast deepens tertiary black cherry, red grape, green raisin and fig illusions at mighty oats-sugared mocha finish.

Admirably complex bourbon-aged Imperial Stout betters whipped-creamed mochaccino with a whiskey shot. Milky brown and dark chocolate malting picks up cappuccino, espresso and dark-roast coffee influence as well as cocoa powder, burnt caramel, molasses cookie and toasted coconut nuances. Anise-seeded black licorice undertones sidle oaken vanilla wisp and hesitant wood-smoked tarring. In the deep recess, sour black cherry tartness and light port notes contrast bruised cherry sweetness. A chocolate-covered malt ball alternative with a rummy bourbon kick, perhaps.

On tap at Ambulance, sumptuous toasted oak-chipped mocha stout, ‘akin to a gourmet chocolate bar,’ allows mild bourbon vanilla sweetness to contrast bitter cocoa nibs adjunct, French-roast black coffee influence and ‘toned down’ dry hop char. Black cherry, raspberry puree and black grape provide dried fruited backdrop for heavy brown-black chocolate richness. Valiant hybrid is one of 2015’s best ales.

On tap at Ambulance, enthusiastic habanero-peppered version of trusty Imperial Stout betters the original. Ascending habanero burn spices up prominent cocoa-beaned black chocolate roast and sugary maple molasses creaming, intensifying resinous hop-toasted mocha finish.

Dismayingly ‘unorthodox’ dark ale collides treacly black patent-derived rye malts with wavering soy-sauced cocoa powdering, splotchy black licorice tones and barren dried fruiting, sacrificing stylistic mocha creaminess for resinous hop-oiled astringency. Subtle rye influence and desolate dark chocolate musk prove underwhelming.  

Orgasmic updated 2014 version (with label stressing vanilla bean adjunct) once again makes a case for best sweet-toothed dessert beer ever. Rich vanilla ice cream sugaring invades honeyed dark chocolate syruping and chewy caramel-burnt creme brulee theme. Dark liqueured Tia Marie coffee beaning overlays subsidiary cocoa-buttered almond toasting, nutty espresso elegance, frothy cappuccino creaming, chocolate-covered cherry tartness, maple walnut caking, sappy molasses sinew, rummy bourbon liquoring and cafe au lait chicory bittering. An undeniable classic. 

On tap at Burger Loft, lusty mocha-smoked dark ale crowds lightly creamed dark-roasted chocolate malting and piney hop char with bourbon-tinged dark fruiting. Burnt caramel, coffee, molasses, Kahlua and cocoa undertones reinforce choco-latte finish. Gothic Addams Family vampiress, Morticia, would be proud.

On tap at Taphouse Grille – Wayne, alluring limited edition 2015 dessert treat offers rich brown chocolate malting to light whiskey-barreled sweetness and heavily roasted rye, spelt and oats graining. Smoked molasses, cocoa and vanilla advance the sugary mocha theme further as anise-spiced black cherry, plum and prune undertones bring out fruitful complexities.

‘Blatant’ off-center full body whimsically collides rich stout-like ambitions with murky sour fruiting, charred hop acridity and dank cellar-like mustiness. As a result, black patent malting, coffee-stained dark chocolate roast and chalky cocoa powdering take a backseat to burgundy-dried black grape, fig and prune souring, misdirecting the overall indistinct flavor profile. A hint of anise, molasses and cola nut add to the confusion.

On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, imposingly robust rye-barreled full body combines Undead Party Crasher Imperial Stout with an experimental barleywine. Sweet bourbon influence initially flourishes over rich black chocolate malting and cookie dough yeast. Fudge brownie, dark cocoa, vanilla bean and roasted coffee illusions saddle rye whiskey midst. Tertiary sherry, burgundy and pinot noir snips provide boozy warmth to 12% ABV dark ale.

On tap at Ambulance, dry-hopped cask version of well-respected stout retains settling warmth. Evergreen-like Northern Brewer hop freshness inundates plentiful dark-roasted chocolate malting and freeze-dried coffee subsidy above vinous port-wined red grape tartness and distant black cherry snip.