![1507638682-pics_20180106152212884.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmRvVVq7hi2U92vDyKxBdUZuPxNYgUi96bpJrcMNDFGQM5/1507638682-pics_20180106152212884.jpg)

This week we have a battle of the dark beers! Two incredible little fellows are going to go toe to toe but who will be the winner?

Last night was a proper donkey of a night between the two children so today I have been operating at *half-gash* on about 3.5 hours sleep. 

As a result, when it came to choosing the beers I thought, *no lame IPA's for me.* I am going for an altogether darker, beefier thrill tonight..

So first up, the incredible sounding -

![156f_20180106152610784.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmbdBcwnPJioGd3sEoKoJ8LYXFexPmjaiHdyTdRZP8EZi2/156f_20180106152610784.jpg)

![1515265869-picsay_20180106195137123_1.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmUBJsJ132LcCwK536xy7Zs4MLpaot4pCt3kWbDLHXQE2p/1515265869-picsay_20180106195137123_1.jpg)

This is a fine looking chap. A 6.8% chocolate porter from the Thornbridge brewery, the makers of last week's watermelon extravaganza.

This is made with real cocoa beans during the maturation process. I am intrigued.

![20180106_211023.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmY3iHgZbRmaDSzJrsvTuY8L9DKug2KSiv3z9Q83Ycwk17/20180106_211023.jpg)

Oh it's black, black as my old mother in-laws heart! There is a great smell emanating from it too. Look at that -

![20180106_211546.gif](https://steemitimages.com/DQmVGmwvXa18HrLTauQRc2KEC96sDGttDQrZqTVTo4EX7aF/20180106_211546.gif)

It's very smooth for a porter. The roasted coffee notes are very pleasant. The chocolate, a slightly sweet almost milky chocolate affair. This is a keeper alright. It all blends into a fine roasted malt, sweet sensation. I will give this a splendid **8.5/10.** 

Well that brewery knows it's potatoes as they say in Russia. Next up we have...

![156f_20180106152643936.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmSLVFtT2cahUXmhwdDZQW2R3zCEDgr5iv8WgQoEgTH6wx/156f_20180106152643936.jpg)

![1515265869-picsay_20180106212227557.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQma4fwvuENFD9TWk4vENA4W9GyATYhYTby8rZ71pn65cR3/1515265869-picsay_20180106212227557.jpg)

Ha, bring out the imp indeed. Tres amusing. An Imperial Stout from a fine East coast Scottish brewery: Alchemy Brewing Ltd. If the last one looked all about that funk then this one is even more so.

Brewed with molasses, liquorice and oatmeal before maturing in red wine casks they say? Count me in! Although at 10.6% I had better only have a couple in case I go radge and take to the streets with my top off.

![20180106_213015.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmVnpPrtgzNfP47wiEvmoFfuwavsDb3zDdLCLV1oTJh56W/20180106_213015.jpg)

I have bought out the imp!! Look at it, it's a pulsating, bruised black. Like my big toe that time I kicked a rhino.

Mis pantalones! It's stonking!! Sweet, licorice, malty and slightly wine'y... In a totally good way. It's strong and hearty like a Duke's *John Thomas.* I love it, the malty goodness lingers lovingly on your palate for some time after each swig. Mmm mm, velvety. **9/10!!!** ***Boom!!!!***

I think it's a while since we have had a 9 scorer. Happy days. I am off to bury myself in the sweet dark bosoms of my new liquorice lover.

Enjoy your weekend chaps!!

![20180106_213311.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmTD7GeXC7sSogSAPjJNReWmdFrSZHhEj7fAyjvyNxGc7S/20180106_213311.jpg)

Cheers!