The Return of Imperial Stout

Generally when you think Texas brews, you think something sessionable...pales ales and pilsners and such.  It is hot here after all.  But the good folks over at San Antonio's Weathered Souls Brewing just consistently knock it out of the park with their stouts.  Maybe that should be our state brew instead.  Enter The Return of Imperial Stout.  The 12.3% brew pours black with a very minimal brown head and smells of chocolate, vanilla, coconut, and a little booze.  The flavor is a sweet mix of said chocolate, vanilla, and coconut along with some marshmallow (which the beer was brewed with), and those booze notes again.  It's a night time beer for sure, but a lovely way to end a weekend.

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Black Is Beautiful Imperial Stout

The murder of George Floyd really set off a spark.  And it's a spark that i sincerely hope ignites a fire.  In light of the wave of Black Lives Matter protests all over the nation, the wonderful folks at San Antonio's Weathered Souls Brewing, a black-owed brewery, have been teaming up with other brewers all over the world to craft a collaborative charity brew that raises awareness for the injustices that people of color face daily and helps to raise funds for police brutality reform and legal defenses for those who have been wronged.  It's a great and important cause and you can find out more about the whole thing here.  In the meanwhile, i was fortunate enough to get to try the version from Family Business Beer Company.  The 9% ABV beer pours black (naturally) with a tan head and smells of malt, chocolate, and coconut.  The flavor is a tasty, roasty mix of malt, chocolate, coffee, toffee, and coconut.  It's a great brew, and i'm curious to give all the other variations a try.

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