Alesong Brewing & Blending - Mocha Rhino Suit

Alesong’s Mocha Rhino Suit is a blend of imperial stouts aged in freshly emptied Heaven Hill bourbon barrels. The addition of freshly roasted Colombian coffee from Coffee Plant Roaster and cocoa nibs from Chocolate Alchemy, both of Eugene, OR, has elevated the aroma and flavor of this beer exponentially.

The Alesong Mocha Rhino Suit shows opaque black in our glass with a faint dark red tint at the rim. The head is made of densely packed tiny bubbles creating gentle lacing with every sip. The aromatics are gorgeous and pronounced: Deeply roasted coffee, inviting dark cocoa, fragrant vanilla, toasty oak, and dark caramel lead the way. As we swirl and smell once again, we are drawn even deeper with sprinklings of warm tobacco, hints of leather, dark brown sugar, and flamed cinnamon sticks.

The first sip of this bold, full-bodied, imperial milk stout confirms this beer as a force to be reckoned with. The coffee and cocoa nibs are well represented, as are the bourbon barrels. The 12.5% abv is noticeable too but helps to bring all the different flavors together rather than overpowering them. With a slight rise in temperature the flavors of vanilla, toasty oak, and caramel bring forward a nice touch of malty sweetness. This beer is a winner.

As with the Rhino Suit, Mocha Rhino Suit should mature well over the years but is ready to drink now. Paired with smoked spareribs, espresso rubbed Tuscan cheese, or blueberry donuts (Alesong’s recommendation), it’s sure to please.