When I saw the beer on the board, I was skeptical. A Cinnamon Bun Imperial Stout. I am a big fan of Imperial Stouts, but I am also traditionalist. I like the Russian Imperial Stout. I am open to barrel aged Russian Imperial Stouts. That's about it. I have never been a big fan of flavored stouts.
But, a Cinnamon Bun Imperial Stout? That is what confronted me during a recent visit to Black Flag Brewery. My beautiful Angel and I took my parents there because my dad loves trying new craft beer and he had never been to Black Flag before. By contrast, I have been there a few times and tried all of their standard beers, such as the Mambo Sauce Double IPA. While my dad tried a flight to sample the different beers, I wanted to try something new. That is when I was introduced to the Cinnamon Bun Imperial Stout. A beer that changed my views about the introduction of different flavors into a traditional style. In fact, I liked the beer so much that I bought a four pack and brought it home.
The reason why I liked the beer so much is that the beer actually combines the best elements of a Russian Imperial Stout with cinnamon buns. The Drizzy pours a very dark black, with an off-white, cream colored foam. The aromatic elements feature the roasted malts, but those malts are coated with a lingering cinnamon, molasses and sugar weaved into the traditional aromas of a stout. As for the taste, the cinnamon, sugar and slight vanilla tones are so well together, against that malt background, so as to actually give someone the impression that there is a cinnamon bun in the beer. That is quite a feat.
The Drizzy is -- or was -- a seasonal beer at Black Flag Brewing and it is long gone. Hopefully, the brewers will bring it back again. Only time will tell. Until then,
ENJOY!
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