Inspired by brewers back in the 1800′s to win over the Russian Czar, this is the king of the stout family of beers. Black Widow was affectionately named after one of the most feared spiders in the West, boasting a ridiculously high alcohol content and plenty of malt character. She is moderately carbonated with huge roasted, chocolate and burnt malt flavors with a dry finish. Suggestions of dark fruit and flavors of higher alcohols dominate the front and we aggressively hop this massive brew to provide balance. Formulated with a UK Maris Otter malt base and five different dark roasted malts, we feed the Black widow with additions of 95% Cacao chocolate, Molasses, Vermont Maple Syrup and Killer Bee Honey after the fermentation has begun to further her deep complex warmth, balanced out by resinous high alpha hops. To subtle the massive alcoholic strength we lay her down in Bourbon barrels until the warming character marries with the notes of vanilla, caramel, and Bourbon. Black Widow pours pitch black with a beige colored one-finger creamy head that seems to retain forever and sticks to the sides as it settles. Aromatics of melted chocolate are abound with toffee and caramel taffy, some underlying mocha coffee, subtle roasted malt note with a bit of alcohol. Chocolate definitely shines overall, the chocolate flavors follow the aroma with huge bitter-sweet dark chocolate, some dark fruity notes chime in around mid-palate with fig/date, coffee flavors arise near the end with a sweet and roast malt finish. With a bit more chocolate on the linger look for a full body and moderate carbonation, a chewy mouth feel with a crisp finish. Alcoholic warmth is evident in the finish and after the very first sip you will be warned that She bites back.