The white stout is an oddity that pops its head up from now and then: a polarising concept with fans who appreciate its complexities and happily seek it out in lieu of more conventional dark offerings. Rocky Ridge have dabbled in the space over the years, including with their popular coffee-infused White Buffalo. Here, they revisit the juxtaposition with Ghost In The Can, a 7.2 percent ABV effort infused with cacao husks and nibs, coffee beans, vanilla and lactose.
As you’d expect, the beer pours pale, with a solid white head that could be described as marshmallowy. The aroma is sweet with hints of vanilla dominating alongside light coffee and caramel malts. On drinking, coffee is more present with a touch of espresso bitterness and persistent earthiness, while lactose coats the mouth for that fuller, stouty mouthfeel. Dark fruit and light herbaceous notes also feature thanks to coffee bean and cacao nibs.
It is, of course, just one of many limited releases to leave Rocky Ridge already this winter. There have been three from their Experiment series including Next Episode, a triple dry-hopped WC triple IPA (11 percent ABV), Lupo Fiasco, a West Coast pilsner (5.7 percent ABV) and Lost Passport, a smoked Baltic porter (7.8 percent ABV). Then there's Lost In A Quarry, a collaboration with FOUND. – a 7 percent ABV Cali IPA, and Never Heard Of It, a 7 percent ABV oat cream IPA.
Jono Outred
Published June 25, 2024 2024-06-25 00:00:00
