Adroit Theory Therapy Sessions
Adroit Theory and I have had our differences with regard to their stouts. Some of them have had their issues while others, like their collaboration with Reaver Beach, have been simply outstanding. This particular bottle of their Therapy Sessions — a fairly straight forward, no frills 13% ABV imperial stout — was pretty damn impressive.
The big stout looks just like it should, pouring opaque black with a dense cap of brown foam. Both the aroma and flavor profile are packed with a solid roast, dark coffee, soft chocolate notes and anise. There’s a moderate hop bite late once Therapy Sessions glides fluidly over the tongue. The full bodied stout ends lightly drying with a good bit of warmth that spreads gently across the chest.
As tasty as Therapy Sessions is, what I found most interesting was a small tidbit of information displayed on the beer’s label. The Virginia brewery is based in Purcellville, but label lists Vint Hill as the company’s address. The only brewery in that area is Old Bust Head. Now, having another brewery pick up some contract brewing isn’t anything new and is a pretty common practice.
What I find intriguing about that label note, is that both of the big stouts from Adroit that I truly enjoyed the most over the years (and would happily purchase again) were a collaboration or brewed elsewhere. I’m not sure that two beers is a true indication of anything of note as the northern Virginia brewery has made some tasty IPAs in their own equipment — I just found it interesting.