It's #FloridaBeerFriday. Every Friday, we take a look at a beer brewed in the Sunshine State, giving analysis to the burgeoning craft beer movement of Florida.
An enigma from another Florida coast.
Your prayers to the sweet and decadent beer gods have been answered.
The confluence of the flavors of chocolate, peanut butter, and beer have become one. One beverage to unite the Houses.
Ok, so it's not so dramatic, but it is a must-have if you venture out west to St. Petersburg near Tampa, and visit Rapp Brewing Company run by Greg Rapp.
See also: Florida Beer Friday: Saison Red Dawn From The Funky Buddha Lounge
Rapp has been winning a lot of medals lately, including Best Florida Brewery by the Florida Brewer's Guild, all within a 3,200 square foot warehouse of which 650 square feet make up the very small tap room. At any time, 20 beers of various styles and strengths make up the draft selection, and all of them are, in this writers opinion, very well done.
Of particular merit is this aforementioned (and part of the headline) Chocolate Peanut Butter Stout, which seems to be one of Rapp's consistently available beers. And for good reason.
The beer is poured into a snifter (or tasting glass... but go for the full pour) and arrives with a sliver of head and a chocolate fudge dark brown color. Already your visual cues are telling you 'chocolate'. Aromas of roasted peanuts, crunchy peanut butter, maybe some hazelnut and cocoa come out of the glass, and immediately your eyes are going to roll back in ecstasy. Maybe it's my love of peanut butter, but this beer kills it in the aroma department.
The flavor is on par with a bit of roasty nuts up front and then malty chocolatiness (which is now a word) to carry it onwards. The mouthfeel is thick enough to carry all of these flavors without being thin nor overly syrupy. At 8% abv, this stout is not quite imperial and not quite a 'regular' either, but sits balanced and perched in between.
On your next trip out to our state's current beer mecca (South Florida is coming for you, Tampa) hit up Rapp Brewing Company and ask, nay, demand a glass of this deep dark beverage.
Follow #FloridaBeerFriday for more reviews of Sunshine State brews.
Get out there and #DrinkLocal.
Doug Fairall is a craft beer blogger who focuses on Florida beers and has been a homebrewer since 2010. For beer things in your Twitter feed, follow him @DougFairall and find the latest beer pics on Instagram.
Follow @CleanPlateBPB
