Beer review: Marshall Wharf Sexy Chaos

By special request, here is my first beer review.

Tonight's brew comes from a small brewery in Belfast, Maine.  In our family, the owner is known for being a little bit of a recluse who has run a small restaurant in Belfast for years, mostly without it being open.  So we were very surprised when, a few years ago, they started producing world class beer, such as Can't Dog and Ace Hole.  Never the less, this is another gem in the MW family and I was thrilled to try it.

A Russian Imperial Stout with typical RIS alcohol content: ABV 10.7%.  Imperial Stouts are generally a strong dark beer or stout and was first brewed by England in the 18th century for export to Catherine II of Russia.

Sexy Chaos is true to the style.  A medium bodied stout that poured a large khaki, almost mocha, head.  The smell wafted dark chocolate with dark fruits; plums, figs.  At first taste, I got loads of vanilla.  Not surprising (it's on the label), but very strong.  It followed with nice roasting flavor from the malts, slight burn of alcohol (it's 10.7% ABV, remember) and a little oak, although if oak weren't on the label, I don't think I would have even noticed.

Overall,  I really enjoyed this one.  It should be a sipper, except it goes down really easily.  Be sure to do this one later in the evening!