Sometimes, funny things happen. Like, reaching for a specific 750 mL bottle of beer only to realize - after you opened it - that it's not the beer you planned on drinking. It's actually the beer your fiance has been aging for six months.

This happened to me the other night. Earlier in the evening, I dropped my iPhone, which caused it to turn off permanently. I then tried to fix said iPhone on my own and ended up breaking it even more. When I finally gave up on the phone, I naturally reached for a beer. My intention was to grab the bottle of Night Shift Brewing's Rose (their newest creation), but instead, I grabbed the Taza Stout my fiance had been aging for almost six months.

It ended up being a lucky mistake, though (well...for me, at least). Although the aging process did not make too much of a difference in taste, it was a win-win that this beer is extra local and extra tasty. Not only is this beer brewed with Somerville-based Taza Chocolate, but it's also crafted by three friends out of Everett (although they started in a Somerville kitchen). These guys - Rob Burns, Mike O'Mara, and Michael Oxton - have brought some great beers to local store shelves over the last year or so, including a personal favorite, the Viva Habanera. But for those of who enjoy darker beers (and for those who enjoy chocolate), the Taza Stout is for you.

On the nose, this beer delights with subtle hints of cocoa. Upon the first sip, your taste buds will come alive with a hint of ginger and a punch of good quality chocolate mixed with smooth coffee notes. Right before the inevitable gulp, the last bit of your tongue gets hit with spices reminiscent of the holidays, which is most likely a result of the lingering spicy ginger flavor.

For a stout, this brew isn't overly heavy (this specific batch is 7.2% abv.), so it can easily be enjoyed with what Night Shift recommends right on the bottle: Irish beef stew, Taza Chocolate's Chipotle Chili Chocolate Mexicano, and batch Ginger ice cream. I'd also love to enjoy a glass of this by itself for dessert (just saying).

I also really like how Night Shift suggests what kind of glass - along with what temperature - each of their beers should be enjoyed in. This extra attention to detail combined with their dedication to local, quality ingredients shows that these three passionate beer buddies put a lot of thought and effort into each bottle they brew.