Almost every time I’m visiting family in the Berkshires, I find myself begging everyone to come with me to Bright Ideas. To be honest, I don’t really have to beg because we all love the place. I saw this bottle next to the ordering station and couldn’t resist getting one to go. The label immediately made my mouth water. I can only assume there was a magical meteor shower of pastries on brew day and, try as they might, the brewers at Bright Ideas just couldn’t keep these out of their stout so they just went with it. Thankfully, the beer was great and this disastrous weather event turned to fortune! I don’t know if that’s really what happened, but I want to believe.
Brewery: Bright Ideas Brewing Co. (North Adams, MA)
Rating: 88/100
Comments: I picked up this 9.3% ABV pastry stout in a 500mL bottle during my last visit to Bright Ideas. It pours a pitch black color with fluffy tannish brown head that sticks to the glass. It’s especially important to let this one warm up a bit closer to room temperature so the real flavors can come out. The aroma is cozy with dark roasted coffee, cocoa powder, and just a touch of plum sweetness. It’s an intensely flavorful stout with rich chocolate from beginning to end. It has a touch of burnt coffee bitterness and dark fruity undertones with a hint of vanilla to finish. It’s surprisingly light on the palate – and just as addictive as all those Hostess and Little Debbie cake treats from my childhood.
PINT JOURNAL 
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