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.

Abundant cocoa bean adjunct given chewy black chocolate malting, creamy cookie dough yeast richness and charred hop roast. Gooey anise uprising and black coffee bittering coat the tongue in the midst. At the massive chocolate-y cocoa finish, fudged brownie, chicory and cola nut illusions reside.

On tap at Track 84, ambitious barrel-aged Imperial Stout balances dark chocolate malting with red-wined dried fruiting in light oaken bourbon setting. Sour cherry tartness outshines subsidiary sherry, port and burgundy wining as well as mild fig, prune and raisin nuances by dark-roasted mocha finish.

On tap at Ambulance, hybridized boundary-broadened Imperial Stout contrasts expectant black patent-malted dark chocolate roast with stylishly divergent dried fruiting and vinous port wining. Soured fig, cherry and prune illusions as well as tannic grape notions get just as much space as mild coffee-stained chocolate Kahlua stead.