Big John (Goose Island, Chicago, IL)

Dark tan head billows up nicely and lingers for a long time. Look almost luscious sitting on top of a jet black opaque beer. For all the dark malts in the beer (according to the website: chocolate, caramel, roasted barley, de-bittered black), there's not a coffee or an overly roasted smell in the nose. Just chocolate thanks to the cacao nibs. If you pause slightly, there's a light spice on the top from the hops (Columbus from website). Mouthfeel is luscious and creamy with slight hotness from the 11.5% ABV and a slick oiliness as well. The chocolate from the nibs give a clean, earthy chocolate taste that's different and nice compared to most chocolate stouts. Overall, a very well done big beer that's fun to drink. This bottle is only six months old, so drank it as a baby. Might have to get another bottle to aged it up to suggested five years on the label.