Lost Coast Raspberry Chocolate Stout

On tap at Lucky Baldwin’s Delirium Cafe, November 2007 as Raspberry Truffle Stout: Pours an opaque black with dark brown edges and a small frothy slingy-lacing tan head. Aroma of fruity raspberry with a touch of roasted malt. Body starts semi-sweet with some earthy bitter fruity notes and a touch of dark chocolate toward a drier, more astringent lingering berry finish. Could be a little smoother and more balanced.

I assume this is what I had on tap at Lucky Baldwin’s in Pasadena. It was labeled on the menu as a raspberry truffle stout, but there doesn’t seem to be anything like there here. It was somewhat thin at a cooler temperature but as it warmed its charm really started to shine through. It has elements of a deep rich malty brew - chocolate, coffee, deep roasty flavour, but also a faint subtle sweetness which was hard to pull out as raspberry, but I guess that’s what they are going for. It’s very dark in colour with a tan head which leaves pleasant rings around the glass as it gets drained.

Malty raspberry nose, crisp malty palate with pleasant roastiness, some mild cocoa blended well with fruitiness. Well executed difficult brew!