effervescent refractions

I’ve been meaning to get my hands on Winter Warlock because it’s one of the best offerings of my local brewer. I finally sneaked a few sips from a bottle before acquiring a full glass directly from the brewery. To my great surprise they were very different from one another. I’m not certain if adjustments were made to the batch on tap at Bristol or if the bottled version I tasted was accidently exceptional, but the question will be easily answered. In appearance both held similar character: a deep hearty black crowned of a rapidly diminishing creamy cocoa head. The nose bore similarities in the warm wet straw odor and sweet coffee qualities but the primary chocolate aroma had a much darker tone out of the growler. The flavor only furthered this impression by delivering an overly dark bitter ending. I much preferred the sweet and rich milk chocolate profile found in the bottle but luckily the bitterness mellows out as this beer warms up. An interesting brew either way, monotone but distinct and a pleasure to drink during a cold winter day.