Dark Knight - Barley John's Brew Pub

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

4.08/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed on-tap at the brewpub. This is a refermented Dark Knight, and uses $250 bourbon bottles' casks. Wine colour, virtually no head. Above-average mouthfeel. Complex bourbon lavours, a bit of oak, a sipper Great aroma from the quality bourbon. Served too cold,so much better as it warmed.

Serving type: on-tap

11-21-2008 04:51:21 | More by northyorksammy

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.7/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

part of the goodies i brought to gbx last night, i opened this one up with two good buddies. poured into the mikkellar glass i ended up keeping, this was enjoyed on 6/11/2011 for my bday!

the pour was dark, abyss like dark with a light tan head that more coated the glass then rose up off the top of it. an aroma that was to die for. chocolate, rich bourbon notes, vanilla, coffee, wood and oak, this was amazingly complex. as it warms licorice and roasted malts. flavor came through exactly the same, simply amazingly complex with a smooth and subtle presence that was just divine. each sip seemingly opening a door that the last had closed.

overall a massive beer, alcohol is not soo upfront as you can just feel this one ripping you apart. one of the biggest things i have had in a while.

Serving type: growler

06-12-2011 15:47:02 | More by mikesgroove

womencantsail

California

4.33/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Huge thanks to Jeff for sharing this one.

A: The beer pours pitch black in color with a thin layer of tan foam.

S: Just an amazingly smooth aroma. The bourbon provides an excellent sweet vanilla scent and goes quite well with plenty of dark chocolate and roasted malts. Sweet burnt sugar and a bit of molasses.

T: The bourbon and chocolate flavors are just awesome. Fairly sweet, but not cloying. Dark chocolate, molasses, and vanilla give this beer a very intense richness. Just a little bit of dark fruits.

M: Full in body with a smooth, low carbonation.

O: This one lived up to expectations for me. Just an awesome beer.

Serving type: growler

06-23-2011 04:42:51 | More by womencantsail

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Huge thanks to chewy08rx for getting this growler out my way. Shared at a recent tasting. Served in a tulip.

Pours nearly black with a small mocha head that lasts for a bit. Few legs on the sides of the glass and a spot or two of lacing. Thin collar throughout. The nose is heavy on the malt and bourbon with some good notes of roast and brown sugar. Some vanilla and oak go with the bourbon. Dark fruits in the background. The flavor has a really incredible bourbon presence with some dark fruits backing things up. Nice oak. Roasted malt is nice, and there's a bit of chocolate as well. Moderate sweetness on a full body with a creamy texture. Really solid and well done. It was worth the wait.

Serving type: growler

06-10-2011 21:54:40 | More by Thorpe429

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

2.63/5  rDev -39.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Hand bottle courtesy of Stine: Poured a pitch-black color porter with a small dirty brown foamy head. Aroma of bourbon is quite overpowering with some sweet malt notes also noticeable. Taste is overpowered by bourbon and I had a hard time picking-up other flavour. Body is quite full with alcohol from the barrel really coming out. I was a bit surprised as I was not expecting so much bourbon to come out in such fashion and I am probably not the biggest bourbon fan around.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2007 00:31:52 | More by Phyl21ca

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.78/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Served in a little snifter, about 5 ounces.
Total blackness, ebony's epitome, with a tiny ring of burnt brown espresso-toned foam foam.
Aroma is incredible, a bold, blatantly alcoholic cornucopia of flavor: dark rum, molasses, carob, plum, fig, a myriad mix, laced with whiskey and maple syrup. A nose I plunged mine into for as long as I could.
Taste: again, incredible. Here, I wish there was a larger serving, or that the growlers weren't so damned expensive, for I needed more time with this rich and ever-unfolding flavors. Thick mouthfeel, bottomless, vast, stretching on and on...same flavors from aroma return on the tongue, dark, twisted, utterly delcious, like chocolate and licorice and a jolt of Jack Daniel's on the side, with bitter bites of espresso tones to match the abysmal texture (in this context, I'm using the good definition), and wickedly sweet nature of the flavor.
Long finish, never-ever-ending.
An amazing beer, one that would start a riot if they put it in bottles!

Serving type: on-tap

05-17-2004 01:14:43 | More by feloniousmonk

drabmuh

Maryland

4.58/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Yet another growler in the growler fest held over at Mike's, seriously...whoa.

Beer is black / dark brown with a nice tan head of small bubbles that leaves some lacing on the glass. Decent retention and a nice level, low ultimately, of carbonation.

The aroma is sweet and fudgy with mild hints of booze and alcohol.

Beer is medium in body and really sweet on the lead off, immediately gives way to the liquor character of the beer. I really liked this beer a lot. Truly incredible. This would have been the star of any other tasting or night except for some of the ridiculous shit we had next to it. I would have this again in a second.

Serving type: growler

06-06-2011 16:51:47 | More by drabmuh

MasterSki

Illinois

4.22/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Growler brought to me from a friend in the Twin Cities.

A - Pitch black, small dark brown head that dissipates quickly. Not much to say here - it looks slightly ominous.

S - Bourbon! Wow - I'm not even sure bourbon tastes this bourbon-y. There's also hints of vanilla, molasses, and oak, especially as it warms up. Reminds me of Bourbon County Stout, but even more intense.

T - Bourbon! Again with the molasses, vanilla, and oak. Strangely enough it's not as boozy as you'd think - but it's very strong in flavor. As someone who really likes this type of flavor I'm inherently bias, but if you don't like bourbon then knock this down quite a bit.

M - Much too watery for a beer that is this rich in flavor. No carbonation, some alcohol burn.

D - Surprisingly drinkable - the 13.5% isn't overly apparent, but it does warm your mouth and throat a little. I've had a few servings and I'm surprisingly willing to keep filling my glass!

For most people the 6oz serving is probably sufficient, but for bourbon-lovers this is a must-try.

Serving type: growler

01-12-2009 01:43:24 | More by MasterSki

emerge077

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Thank you Anthony for sharing, you're a gentleman and a scholar.
Two plus years in a Heaven Hill barrel.

Obsidian black with a swirling crest of dark mocha foam sliding apart to reveal the glassy surface. In the light, the edges glint mahogany brown where the light passes through.

Rich vanilla and dark chocolate aroma, barrel kissed with some brown sugar and a slight whiff of bourbon heat.

Velvety smooth, silky and dense fudgy chocolate, espresso, and vanilla tones, with transitory notes of hazelnut and almonds. Chewy texture, extremely creamy and palate coating. Confectionary and rich. Barrel elements lend complexity without overshadowing the base porter. Long flavorful finish that dries out with some lingering oak, vanilla, and fudge notes. Very enjoyable, I savored my pour for a good twenty minutes.
Thanks again Tony!

Serving type: growler

06-10-2011 02:51:03 | More by emerge077

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Vintage 2006, 13.5%

I had the fortune of trying this the day after drinking Goose Island's Bourbon County Stout which provided a nice comparison for another bourbon barrel-aged beer. The Dark Knight is heavier on the booze with the alcohol present in the aroma and flavor while bourbon dominates the flavors. In the taste, a little cocoa and coffee back up the liquor, but I think the BCS is much more balanced by comparison. This is still a great beer and a wonderful sipper, but I'd recommend The Dark Knight Returns, which has a great deal less bourbon, over the original.

Serving type: on-tap

12-24-2007 22:55:09 | More by tempest

mdfb79

New York

4.28/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

From 07/08/11 notes. HUGE thanks to Thorpe429 for saving me a few oz's of this; thanks a lot Mike! Poured into my Foothills taster glass.

a - Pours a very dark brown, almost black color, with a few bubbles of dark tan head and moderate carbonation still evident. Looks pretty heavy and thick.

s - Smells of bourbon, oak, vanilla, chocolate, roasted malts, and dark fruits. Heavy bourbon in the nose, which I love. Smells pretty great.

t - Tastes of bourbon, dark fruits, chocolate, roasted malts, vanilla, and alcohol. Some heat in the taste, which brings it down a bit, but still very good.

m - Thick motor oil like full body and low carbonation. Creamy body and some definite heat, but not too bad considering abv.

o - Overall this is a great barrel aged porter. There is some definite heat to it, but the nose is fantastic. Would certainly love to have this one again some day.

Serving type: growler

07-11-2011 20:22:20 | More by mdfb79

weeare138

Pennsylvania

4.7/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Huge thanks to hopdog for sharing this luscious nectar...
Appears a dark brown bordering black with a light tan head that quickly dissipates. Very mild spots of tan lace slip back into the collar.
Smell...OMFG. Cocoa, caramel, plums, black grapes, vanilla, light oak, & traces of bourbon that has been cooked in a rich, chocolate reduction.
Taste is of the mentioned aromas. Lots of vanilla, cocoa, plums...I wonder if this is coming from the bourbon barrel, or if they used the Westmalle yeast strain at some point of the fermentation. Either way, it's absolutely wonderful and a pleasure to drink.
Mouthfeel is viscous, very full bodied, along with an alcohol, boozy burn that is outweighed by the delicious flavors and stickiness of this concoction.

Serving type: growler

10-20-2006 15:34:33 | More by weeare138

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

The Dark Knight is an Imperial Porter aged in Bourbon Barrels.

The Dark Knight is indeed dark.....as in Midnight Black. A luscious brown head adorns the top of this beer and has great retention. The lacing damn near coats the entire glass as I drink. Aroma is winey, oaky and bourbon-like. Some roasted malts come through as well on the nose. For being 12% a/v, this beer is really not that alcoholic tasting. The bourbon barrel character really comes through nicely on the palate. This beer has some port-like characteristics. It's fairly sweet, but the sweetness blends nicely with the alcohol spiciness and the bourbon qualities. There's a nice stinging bitterness that sticks around long after the swallow. Probably stemming fom the alcohol and roasted malts. Damn fine brew here.

It'd be nice if you could get more than 7-8 ounces for $5.25. Or get 7-8 ounces for less $$. A bit spendy indeed.

Serving type: on-tap

07-17-2003 18:42:10 | More by Bighuge

corby112

Pennsylvania

2.58/5  rDev -40.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Growler generously shared by ygtbsm. Thanks again Brad!

Pours a viscous dark brown that appears almost pitch black in the glass with a one finger mocha head that settles into a thin ring.  Spotty lacing left behind but this beer has amazing legs.  

Sweet boozy aroma with lots of dark malt, sweet bourbon, earthy oak, chocolate, toffee and oatmeal.  The malt aromas are evident but are overpowered by the strong bourbon character.  

Viscous body with lots of boozy heat and bourbon flavor.  Way too hot with lots of burning alcohol that overpowers the other flavors and tons of warmth/burning in the finish.  Underneath the strong barrel/spirit presence there is some chocolate, toffee and toast.  Way too much bourbon and alcohol sweetness resulting in a one dimensional beer that isn't very interesting.  Thick and viscous mouthfeel helps things a bit but there is no depth or complexity.

Serving type: growler

07-09-2011 06:32:23 | More by corby112

HopHead84

California

4.25/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

8/27/2011

Growler shared by Ross at Woodshop Classix. Thanks for the long time want.

A: Black and viscous with a fast fading head.

S: Fudge with huge vanilla and brown sugar notes. Bourbon is powerful and excellent. A moderate roasted malt presence accompanies oak and molasses.

T: Rich dark chocolate with oak and bourbon. Molasses is evident and there's a lot of booze. Malt is moderately roasted and there's some cocoa.

M: Full in body with upper moderate carbonation. The mouthfeel is sticky and chewy.

Overall: A bit boozy in the flavor, but still excellent stuff. I don't understand why this is so expensive.

Serving type: growler

08-30-2011 14:41:25 | More by HopHead84

stakem

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to FooFaa for bringing this growler to our gathering. Poured into a snifter, the brew appears black in color with a brown head sitting atop. Some spotty lace sticks to the glassware.

The aroma is toasted coconut mixed with a perfume-like amount of sticky sweet smelling vanilla. A bit of toasty oak barrel and alcohol emerge as it warms. Plenty of chocolate roasted grain inclusion to keep things interesting.

The taste is bitter coffee and chocolate grain flavoring. A rich fruity alcohol aspect blends midpalate before finishing with the previously described perfume vanilla and toasty coconut aspects. The overall flavor profile of this beer is like 5% beer and 95% barrel aging character.

Lighter to medium bodied with a smooth light level of carbonation. As preiously stated, this beer is pretty darn good with nothing bad or off about it (except for the unreasonably high price in my opinion.) My only gripe is that this beer's character is totally dominated by the barrel presence and doesnt leave much room for the beer's base to come through. If the opportunity presented itself i would certainly drink this again but not at $70+ a growler.

Serving type: growler

12-04-2012 18:35:02 | More by stakem

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

4.43/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2011- Heaven Hill Barrel Aged

Pours a light ring of tan head. Color is a dark ruby amber hued brown. It is nearing black.

Aroma: Rich oak and bourbon, dark chocolate, molasses, dark fruits, dried cherries, and a light roast. Reminds me of a boozy BCS. The bourbon shows a lot, but in a pleasant way.

Taste: Huge dark chocolate profile followed by some roasted malts. Then a wave of bourbon hits with some oak and vanilla. It finishes with dark fruits and a coffee roast.

Mouthfeel: Warming, smooth and roasted. Full bodied with a lower amount of carbonation. Ends dry and roasted with a bit of heat. As it warms the bourbon shows even more.

Overall, a really nice beer. The barrels show nicely. I can see some people being overwhelmed by the bourbon and the abv, but I really enjoyed it. The bourbon flavors are delicious. It is very drinkable, but I am trying hard to make my small glass last.

Serving type: on-tap

05-26-2011 13:25:41 | More by mothman

tavernjef

Minnesota

4.83/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Aged in a bourbon barrel and double fermented - Yum!

Color is a solid black with some brownish highlights around the bottom. Small tannish head fades super fast and leaves very thin sheets of lace.

Smell is like a chocolate-chocolate chip cookie soaked in cough sryup. It has a good strong sense of alcohol, with a really nice woody/earthy deep dark chocolate, with complex notes of molasess, black licorice, dried smokey plums, raisin, vanilla, and fresh wild flowery notes. Its what I would imagine a chocolate factory in an open wet forest would smell like with one nostril while the other nostril is under a cup of Nyquil. I could smell this all day. Quite an intoxicating aroma, no pun intended.

Taste is complex, rich, and invigorating with a ton of deep dark chocolate, some molasses, fruity-like alcohol with a dark earthy quick bite of woodyness finding some hold about midway finishing with more complexing woody earth features of sweet malty tang and bitterness with notes of flowery spice like that of dulled mustard or ginger. Wow! The bourbon barrel worked its wonders on this brew. Fantastic! Very port-like in its character. Packs a big punch in flavor and alcohol, you can tell the alcohol is there but is mildly mellow and lends the feel to be smoother then you would think. Very rich, nearly full overall in mouthfeel with a welcoming smoothness that makes this dark knight a deadly easy drinkin' Porter. Super Yum!

Serving type: on-tap

08-13-2003 01:36:12 | More by tavernjef

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4.53/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Growler shared by Thorpe429. Thanks Mike!

The beer appears nearly black, with a small, mocha colored head that hangs out for a bit, leaving random traces of lacing on the glass. The aroma is fantastic, with delectable bourbon, oak, roast, and chocolate. The beer is so smooth and well balanced. Hints of brown sugar with a healthy malt, bourbon, and roast presence. Delicious! The beer is medium to full bodied and creamy. Silky smooth on the palate, with alcohol hidden extremely well. Carbonation is light, but present. Overall, an outstanding beer. Highly recommended.

***
Had several pours of a growler shared by Brad. Again, fantastic stuff. Would love to have this again.

Serving type: growler

07-11-2011 18:03:23 | More by Huhzubendah

cokes

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Tar black with ripples of brown on top.
Nose of burnt hazelnuts and oak, completing a molten fudge caramel brownie.
Begins sweet, with dark raisin and plum notes, then it turns forcefully chocolately. Traces of liquorice and maple syrup, and a nod towards roastedness. Vanilla creeps in, preludes the rich bourbon finale, with toasted oak, caramelly hazelnut booze sweetness everywhere.
Robust of feel and thickness, this is a fabulous rendition.

Rosie who?

Serving type: on-tap

01-08-2005 00:03:27 | More by cokes

hopdog

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Shared a hand bottled sample.Poured a very dark black color with a small brown head. Aromas and tastes of dark fruits (plums and raisins), vanilla, apples, and a little woody and smokey. Sweet. Molasses. A lot going on here. I will definitely have to try and get some more of this one.

Serving type: on-tap

12-15-2004 19:20:47 | More by hopdog

AgentZero

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Riddle me this! Thanks to spycow for hooking this up.

A - Dark as knight, er night. Black beer with a little tan head that didn't leave much on the sides. Quite opaque.

S - Lots of chocolate, little dark fruit, some roasted and slightly charred malts. The barrel aging comes through nicely, with oak, vanilla, mellow bourbon. Good stuff.

T - Lots of chocolate, roast, bourbon, oak, vanilla. Not really sure what more you could ask for. Booze and roast are a little stronger than I would have thought for 12%, actually thought this was a stout with higher ABV.

M - Full bodied, lower carbonation. This beer is really thick and almost chewey at times.

O - Good beer, it was a bit much at times, and can really only do it in small doses, but I liked it and as far as imperial BA porters, this is about as good as it gets.

Serving type: growler

07-09-2011 04:05:18 | More by AgentZero

Deuane

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Certainly NOT retired....the 2006 vintage on tap at the brewery, 3/21/08, weighed in at 13.5%

A-Deep, dark black with faint dark brown highlights. A thin tan ring edged the glass leaving spotty lace.

S-WHOA! A big ole giant bourbon attack. This is some strong stuff. At least there is no question that this was bourbon-barreled aged.

T-Huge bourbon notes with a bit of bitter roasted malt poking thru. Alcohol warmth in the finish.

M-Heavy and full of body. Very round and smooth. A very delectable brew to roll around in the mouth.

D-Great--but you better like your bourbon son! This brew is so BIG that it could put a halt on drinking too many of them. A true sipper thru and thru.

Serving type: on-tap

04-30-2008 12:09:06 | More by Deuane

ADR

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the brewpub...

Dark and opaque, thin spidery head with simple string lace. Heavy malts mark an aroma that only hints at what's to come. Husky carob flavors, almost chocolate but not, backed by a dried fig fruitiness. Impressive mutating flavors, switches emphasis to a more highly bittered roastiness on later sips. Substantial alcohol is decently well-hidden. In another switch, by the end of the glass (and its only a small snifter), there's a distinct sense of Oreo cookies and cream with some spiced pear up the nasal cavities. This brew is quite layered and impressive.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2004 20:36:08 | More by ADR

Crosling

Colorado

4.08/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Smells of tiramusu cake soaked in light bourbon, covered with chocolate sauce and decorated with toffee, cherries and coconut flakes, with a side of sliced apple and red wine. Near opaque black color. Initially vinous, like sweet dark fruits and red wine, whichs then falls into a roasty blast of malt, with chocolate and roast. Grapes and bourbon on the finish, with light vanilla and coconut, although not as profound as I usually prefer in a bourbon beer. Soft texture, seemingly better when served at the brewpub. A really enjoyable, unique beer.

Serving type: growler

04-12-2006 14:34:07 | More by Crosling