Twenty-one months. That’s how long today’s Trickery Stout aged in hard-to-find apple brandy barrels. 

I certainly don’t have that kind of patience! I probably would have tasted the rich, chocolatey depths of this apple and oak-kissed brew after 6 months, then started chugging it right from the barrel. How could I resist slurping up the #9 ranked Milk Stout in the World on BeerAdvocate?! 

It’s a good thing the crew at Hardywood Park has more self control than I do.

After nearly two years spent picking up the boozy-sweet flavors of the brandy barrels, this brew is an absolute torrent of swirling mocha, black strap molasses, and vanilla-caramel, with notes of cherry and date. A touch of lactose adds a creamy finish.

It’s like dipping a crisp slice of sweet apple into a dark chocolate fondue, but with far more complexity.

Halloween is already behind us, but you can still treat yourself to some Trickery this year with this rare brandy barrel Stout. Don’t bother heading to either of Hardywood’s Virginia taprooms, though — they’re already sold out.

Rated 98/100 on BeerAdvocate — #9 in the World; 4.32 on Untappd