Bourbon Classic Cola Stout

Bourbon Classic Cola Stout is a stout brewed by Esplanda in Massachusetts, and the name signals two flavor ideas layered onto a dark beer base: bourbon and cola. The listing doesn't give an ABV, a barrel-aging method or a recipe, so treat the profile below as what the name and style suggest rather than a measured spec. Stouts like this usually lead with roasted malt, with notes of dark chocolate, coffee and toasted grain. A bourbon theme typically adds vanilla, caramel and light oak sweetness, and a cola theme points to a spiced, caramelized sweetness with a hint of citrus peel and baking spice. Serve it cool rather than ice cold. Around 45 to 55°F lets the roast, vanilla and sweetness open up, while straight-from-the-fridge temperatures tend to flatten them and leave the roasted bitterness more prominent. A tulip glass or snifter concentrates the aroma and suits a stout with dessert-leaning notes. A standard pint or nonic glass works fine for a relaxed pour, and a thick tan head on a stout is worth giving room to settle. Dessert-style stouts pair well with foods that echo their sweetness or cut through it. Vanilla ice cream is a natural match, and pouring a small amount of the beer over a scoop makes a simple stout float. Salted caramel, brownies and pecan pie work with the bourbon-leaning side. Smoked brisket, barbecue ribs and aged cheddar suit the roasted malt and any cola-like spice. If you want to cook with it, a splash in chocolate cake batter or a barbecue sauce is a sensible use for a stout with this much sweetness.