Grado Plato Chocarrubica

Brewed by Birrificio Grado Plato
Style: Spice/Herb/Vegetable
Chieri (TO), Italy

2009-11-27. Very dark brown body, smooth tan head and lace. 3+ Foul aroma seems to be bland of prominent compost, followed by dirty diapers, and maybe some cocoa beaten into submission somewhere in there. Flavour is mercifully better, with dry roast and cocoa up front, light bitterness, muddled, toasty malt. Average plus palate. Not gonna lie to you - this was kind of messed up. Very divergent opinions around the table. Bottle shared by Blankboy.

"You’re gettin poop, right?" - Blankboy

[2606-20091127] Bottle. Old squishy cantaloupe melon aroma, not yet mouldy, very odd. Dark dark brown body with a long-lasting creamy tan head and a little lacing. Roasty normal melon flavour, not unpleasant. Medium body. Not getting the same fecal aromas the others are but can see how it might be there.
Overheard: "I think it’s an ingredient." -- referring to poop
Overheard: "I’m having some more, just for the fxck of it... just cuz I like poop." -- same guy
(c/o blankboy, w/ him, garthicus, GregClow, HogTownHarry, jerc)

Nice roast complex on this one that actually had some slight tartness to it. It didn’t fall flat but kept dry on the roast and had notes of coffee beans, bitter white tea, chocolate, and chocolate powder. Mmmm. Tasty, but pricey.

From the Bottle at the Falling Rock Tap House, Denver 26/09/2009 Fruit aroma. Dark coloured sweet and a little rich on the palate with a warming and slightly bitter chocolate malt finish.

Draught served at 48˚ Appearance was total blackness with a large tan head with big bubbles that disappear rapidly and leave decent lacing. Smell is cocoa powder and espresso. Taste is caffe macchiato with milk chocolate, and a slightly bitter burnt espresso finish. Slightly light on body, flavors are very subtle. Italian craft beers are getting better, but still have a ways to go.

Bottle from Liquid Solutions. Pours very dark brown with a very large tan head. Aromas of chocolate and some sort of fruit. Full bodied with rather smooth carbonation. Flavor is dark chocolate, dark roasted malt, and something like plummy. Finish is quite unbitter, except for chocolate. Seems to be a little vinous. Quite interesting and good.

Bottle. Pours a brune body with a tan head. Sweet malty caramel, roasted malt character and some light char. A mild etoh warming licorice and a hint of vanilla. Molto bene.

This was a very tasty, well balanced, and superbly made brew. Was quite black in the glass and could have easily been mistaken for a Stout based on appearance alone. Smell was certainly chocolate oriented with some anise and caramel rounding it out. Coffee taste is strong in the finish...strong and bitter with a peppery spice bite. The smooth, creamy malty body was another highlight. Be warned: there was sediment on the bottom of the bottle so if you’re one of those people who don’t want that stuff in your drink, pour the last bits carefully.