It has been a while since I’ve done a straight-forward beer review.

I have selected this particular beer as its name rather closely mimics the names of some of my prior posts.  As a bonus, it does sound kind of cool.  To be reviewed is Absence of Light Peanut Butter Chocolate Milk Stout. (YEAH!)

I’ll play along with the label.  But I can’t pretend to understand the process about marketing this beer, and the bizarre bloated gremlin that is emanating peanut butter shaded luminescence, as he/she menacingly roars atop a spoon, while oozing putrified peanut butter from its undercarriage.

This is a bomber bottle, and usually it would be something to share amidst a group, but given my track record with 4Hands, I decided I would tackle this one alone, before offering it to a group.

4Hands Absence of Light – The label has been appropriately described above and the appearance does mimic its namesake.  Its color resembles a blackhole-like darkness, which almost instantly swallows the lightly mocha tinted head.  It smells, honestly, stale.  There is an odd, chalky/roasted barley fusion, with a hint of dark chocolate in the nose.  An artificial peanut butter smell presents itself in the undercurrent of the already murky olfactory sludge.   I wish that the taste made up for the lackluster nose, alas, the watery, decidedly unmilkstoutlike taste, with a dash of slightly gag inducing peanut butter afterthought, results in a less than underwhelming brew.  A milk stout should at least taste a little sweet and slightly sugary, this tastes like a dry export stout with a 2 year-past expiration Reeses peanut butter cup thrown into the mix as an afterthought. Give me a Spring House Big Gruesome any day over this atrocity. 2/10

This company continues to be regarded highly in the craft beer world.  Assumedly, the vanilla flagship Madagascar bolsters this entire lineups reputation.  I have had Bona Fide, Send Help, Divided Sky, Reprise, the Prussia Berlinerweisse, and now the shoulder shrug and “meh” inducing Absence of Light.

This is the end of the line.  4Hands won’t be able to lure my curiosity any longer.  Unless I am graciously offered a free sampling, I can’t even fathom trying this brand again.

Humbly yours,

J