Tripping Animals Midnight Spice

Midnight Spice is a stout from Tripping Animals, brewed in Florida. The name points to a spiced dark beer, but the product details don't list a spice blend, an ABV or an IBU. Expect a dark, roasty base with some spice character on top. Check the label for the exact ingredients and strength. Stouts like this usually lean on roasted malt. Typical notes are dark chocolate, coffee, toasted bread crust and a little char, with a medium-to-full body and a creamy mouthfeel. Spiced stouts often add warm baking-spice notes such as cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla or ginger. Those would sit against the roast and add a lightly sweet, aromatic edge. Bitterness in the style comes mostly from the roasted grain rather than hops, so a dry, cocoa-like finish is common. Hop character tends to stay in the background. Serve it cooler than room temperature but not ice cold. Around 50 to 55°F (10 to 13°C) is typical for stouts. Straight from a home fridge, which is often near 38°F, the roast and spice are muted and the beer can taste thin. Taking the bottle or can out for 15 to 20 minutes lets the aroma open up. A tulip, snifter or nonic pint glass suits it. A tulip or snifter narrows toward the rim and holds the spice and chocolate aromas, which are strongest in a beer this dark. A standard pint glass also works if you want a longer, slower pour. For food, dark spiced beers go well with dishes that echo the roast and the spice. Good matches include smoked brisket, grilled sausages, braised short ribs, mole-style sauces and aged cheddar or gouda. On the dessert side, think gingerbread, pecan pie, brownies or vanilla ice cream. A scoop of ice cream in a glass of stout also makes a simple float. If the beer turns out to be sweet and full-bodied, pair it with salty or smoky foods. If it's drier, it can stand up to richer chocolate desserts.