Beer of the Weekend #1,098: French Silk Pie

I have been craving stout recently, so included in my latest haul from John’s was French Silk Pie, brewed by the Confluence Brewing Company of Des Moines, Iowa.

Serving type: 16-ounce can. “CANNED OCT/17/24” is printed on the bottom.

Appearance: Poured into an imperial pint glass. The color is almost opaque black. Two fingers of tan, bubbly head fizzles away steadily and leaves an even, bubbly skim.

Smell: Very dark chocolate. It has the French silk scent but is richer, darker. Chocolate, vanilla, cream. It is more like the shavings on top than the filling.

Taste: Very dark, rich, and chocolaty. There is a nice roasted element. It reminds me of Vanilla Coke. There are flavors of cream, caocao nibs. It is somewhat reminiscent of French silk but not completely, in my opinion; it is too roasted and there is too much vanilla. There is, amazingly, not a hint of alcohol despite how boozy it is.

Fun facts about FSP:

• Style: Confluence calls it dessert/milk stout. 

• Price: $16.99 for a four-pack of 16-ounce cans at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.

• Alcohol content: 8 percent ABV. Whoa! I did not realize it was that big when I bought it.

• FSP is Confluence’s 12th anniversary brew. Here is the description via the can:

Brainstorming new beer ideas can take us to unusual places. Take anniversary beers, for example. Each year when we start to put our heads together to plan our birthday celebration, we’ll check out that year’s anniversary themes. Often, this isn’t helpful; last year’s steel theme didn’t evoke many tasty beer ideas. For our 12th, though? As soon as we saw that silk theme, the dessert loving midwestern child in all of us could only think of one thing: French Silk Pie. Chocolate malts, lactose, roasted cacao nibs, and vanilla combine to make a beer as rich and decadent as the namesake pie, a perfect treat to celebrate 12 yeas and counting. Stop by the taproom to get it on nitro draft, or pour from this can with a little whipped topping to celebrate at home. Here’s to many more years and many more beers with you. Cheers!

Cheers to many more years with Confluence! I have always liked their beer.

• I first ate French silk pie when I was around 10 or 11 years old. It blew my mind and was my favorite pie for a long time. Though it is not my favorite anymore (I love berry, apple, and pumpkin these days), I think French silk is still a nice treat.

The Quiet Man’s grade: B-.