Pontoon Barrel-Aged German Chocolate Cake by Pontoon Brewing is a barrel-aged imperial stout and was judged as a specialty wood-aged beer (BJCP 2021 style 33B). Imperial stout is the base style with various additions including chocolate, coconut, pecans and lactose to reproduce the classic flavors of German chocolate cake with the added twist of barrel-aging to heap even more delicious complexity into this beer’s aroma, flavor and mouthfeel. It poured an opaque mahogany into the glass, producing a thin white head with little retention -- not surprising for a beer with this much strength and multi-dimensionality.

The aroma began and continued with dark malts, including well-kilned crystal and chocolate ones, as well as bourbon-y sweetness from the barrel-aging. There were no clear hop aromas, as the hop additions appear to have been of the early bittering variety and timing, rather than later flavor and aroma ones.

The flavor profile showcased a rich base and dark malt grain bill, presumably complemented with late additions of chocolate and coconut for authentic German chocolate cake flavors and some lactose for smoothness of body. Balance and blending are the hallmarks of the brewer’s alchemy to produce such a close liquid equivalent in the glass as would appear on one’s fork during a dessert course showcasing this famously rich cake.

The mouthfeel consisted of a full body, noticeable alcohol warmth, light carbonation and no astringency. Altogether the final product is an intense, rich, lush and truly exceptional beer to be savored as a nightcap and/or accompaniment to a variety of well-paired desserts.