Maine Beer Company Mean Old Tom

This bottle conditioned 6.5% ABV stout is aged on natural vanilla beans and is from the Maine Beer Company of Freeport, Maine. Their motto, "Do what's right." The brewery purchases green energy, donates spent grain to local farmers, and gives one percent of its sales to environmental  non-profits. The beer is named after the uncle of one of the brewer's, with whom he would pick up cans near the Mississippi River while growing up in Missouri.

The beer pours viscous and black, like liquid coal. There is a very tall and thick head of creamy light brown foam that leaves thick chunks of lacing on the glass. The aroma is very dark roasted malt, mocha, creamy, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, char, much more subtle with the vanilla than you would think from the label of the beer. The taste follows all of the aromas directly, adding more coffee, and it drinks nearly as creamy as a milkshake. This is full-bodied and oh, so smooth. The finish is dry and bittersweet. The vanilla shows up more in the aftertaste than in the original flavor. The aftertaste is strong and long-lasting, and true to the original flavors. The vanilla builds some as the beer progresses. This is definitely one of the best stouts I have ever had, five out of five stars from me.