I have had mint beers. Not a lot, mind you, but enough to know that it is one of those ingredients that is hard to get the balance “just right”. I have had fake-y flavored beers that had more Andes green stuff taste than actual refreshing mint.
Which I why I was glad that Twisted Manzanita sent me a pair of 22oz bottles of Enlightenmint which the label describes as “chewy, full-bodied, confectionary”. Because, I may not have reached for it in a cooler because of those past experiences.
This stout has a big chocolate flavor to fight the peppermint to a draw. It is much more in the York peppermint patty range. (That’s a good thing, to me). The aroma and taste match up. This is not a beer that lulls you into thinking one way and then goes another way. This is 80% sweet (almost lactose) chocolate and the rest mint.
It is bold and not subtle but it makes its point well.