Beer Review: Sump De Vanilla

Reviewing the Sump De Vanilla from Perennial Artisan Ales out of St. Louis, Missouri. This variant of Perennial's Sump coffee stout was crafted specially for The Beer Temple's belated one year anniversary party.

Score: 93

Tap pour served in a stemmed tulip glass and enjoyed on 03/29/14. Review is from iPhone notes.

Appearance: Black coffee color, with a thin layer of khaki head. Minimal lacing and retention. 3.5/5

Smell: Fresh vanilla bean spiked roasted coffee and chocolate. Growing chocolatiness as it warms. 4.5/5

Taste: Lasting roastiness upfront. Sweet vanilla and bitter bakers chocolate on the back half. Coffee undertones. Excellent balance. 4.5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, low carbonation. Modestly dry finish with a good bitterness. This beer seemingly lacks the heft it deserves. 3.5/5

Overall: Better than regular Sump, but falls short of regular Abraxas in quality. This was a nice variant, but it was not quite the can't miss brew that some of Perennial's other offerings are.

Cost: Unknown (pour was included in the ticket price).