Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine Style Ale - Whiskey Barrel-Aged - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.43/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

750 ml cork and caged bottle poured into a snifter.
12.2% ABV, 2013 Expedition

A - Ruby highlights accentuate this clear rusty amber beer giving it a fantastic color! The modest pour creates a tan head atop the still liquid and is nicely retained, resulting in a ring of foam and some fingers of lace after a few moments of settling.

S - Barrel-aged Bigfoot is upfront about it's booze; "ale aged in whiskey barrels" adorns the front of the bottle and, with the first whiff, it's evident. The alcohol flows freely from this beer but somehow remains in check with the base beer, harmoniously complimenting it rather than sweeping it aside. Oak and whiskey envelope gooey caramel sweetness and toasted bread adding complimentary notes of vanilla and traces of pure maple syrup. Don't give this beer a swirl though, you'll regret the off-putting aroma of burning rubber and resiny plastic immediately. Unlike the yearly release of this beer, barrel-aged Bigfoot is hardly hoppy-smelling.

T - Sharp whiskey alcohol grips the tongue with the first sip, softly giving way to bold maltiness and the complex nuances that follow; vanilla, oak tannins, dark fruits and pure maple syrup. With each passing sip, the alcohol which lingers on the palate becomes a little less intrusive, allowing for greater exploration of the malt complexity within. Notes of hops; earthiness and grapefruit rind add a fine layer of depth to the finish.

M - Whiskey flavor and alcohol give this big beer a surprisingly thin feeling from the get-go, but it's smooth and nicely rounded for a wonderful drinking experience that finishes with subtle dryness, alcohol warmth, and lingers on the palate for a long-lasting impression. Bigfoot's usual bitterness is surprisingly absent here.

O - Taking a iconic beer such as Bigfoot and giving it the barrel treatment seems like a big, yet necessary step for Sierra Nevada which resulted in a terrific contrast to the yearly release and is quite a pleasure to drink side-by side with the "normal" one. It's most noticeable variance is (obviously) the whiskey, but also the stark lack of hops, seemingly overpowered by it's time in the barrel. This potent "older brother" to Bigfoot is a welcome addition to Sierra's offering which will hopefully return (with more availability?).

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 01:47:53 | More by BeerFMAndy

Spaz7

California

4.75/5  rDev +13.6%

05-24-2013 21:03:08 | More by Spaz7

JitsuBrew

Washington

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%

05-24-2013 20:53:44 | More by JitsuBrew

ipas-for-life

Virginia

4/5  rDev -4.3%

05-23-2013 13:07:27 | More by ipas-for-life

tomholland

Washington

3.75/5  rDev -10.3%

05-23-2013 03:40:19 | More by tomholland

aasher

Indiana

3/5  rDev -28.2%

05-23-2013 00:32:06 | More by aasher

Denoas

New York

4.75/5  rDev +13.6%

05-21-2013 18:07:38 | More by Denoas

bluestar0828

Virginia

5/5  rDev +19.6%

05-18-2013 21:08:26 | More by bluestar0828

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%

05-18-2013 16:19:45 | More by onix1agr

beernads

Florida

4/5  rDev -4.3%

05-18-2013 06:54:09 | More by beernads

baybassboy

California

4/5  rDev -4.3%

05-14-2013 05:11:14 | More by baybassboy

Beeranator

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%

05-13-2013 17:23:47 | More by Beeranator

alucard6679

Arizona

4/5  rDev -4.3%

05-12-2013 07:56:32 | More by alucard6679

ObiWanKushnobi

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%

05-10-2013 20:51:27 | More by ObiWanKushnobi

justforrazors

Missouri

4/5  rDev -4.3%

05-10-2013 01:56:49 | More by justforrazors

cadaugherty

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%

05-09-2013 00:05:41 | More by cadaugherty

yoitsarch

California

3.75/5  rDev -10.3%

05-08-2013 19:57:22 | More by yoitsarch

Hoptologist

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -10.3%

05-07-2013 15:16:43 | More by Hoptologist

C2H5

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%

05-07-2013 00:21:48 | More by C2H5

MinorThreat

Colorado

3.5/5  rDev -16.3%

05-06-2013 15:41:03 | More by MinorThreat

SkeeterBoganski

Colorado

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%

05-06-2013 12:51:07 | More by SkeeterBoganski

ngeunit1

California

4.33/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Hazy brown with a bit of ruby and a finger of frothy khaki-tan head. Fades normal.

S - Sweet caramel and caramelized malts, oak, vanilla, whiskey, brown sugar, grapefruit, citrus, and pine hops, booze.

T - Sweet caramel and caramelized malts, oak, vanilla, whiskey, grapefruit, citrus, pine hops, resiny bitterness, brown sugar, a touch of dark fruit, booze.

M - Full bodied, moderate carbonation. Smooth with a sweet, warming, bitter finish.

D - Nice big barrel character with enough balance.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 03:20:59 | More by ngeunit1

jzeilinger

Pennsylvania

4.24/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A – Pours dark amber red with nice clarity and one fingered cream colored head that dies down quickly and leaves a thin lacing ring with no carbonation.

S - Lots of bourbon aroma, oak, vanilla, caramel, and toffee, candied brown sugar; overall the aroma is assertively boozy.

T – Follows the nose. Lots of oak tannin and bourbon up front followed by a quick hit of vanilla, caramel, dark fruit, toasted toffee, mild floral, and ends with a boozy, toffee and moderate citrus/grapefruit lingering finish.

M – Thick and full bodied, slick, viscous, and lip smacking sticky.

O – For 12.2%, this is an impressive beer because as boozy as it is, there’s very little to no alcohol burn and as the beer sits for awhile it opens up and mellows. Bigfoot is decent but age it in a barrel and the result is magic.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 19:56:41 | More by jzeilinger

kevindp9

Texas

4/5  rDev -4.3%

05-03-2013 19:36:56 | More by kevindp9

IPAyForHops

California

4/5  rDev -4.3%

05-02-2013 23:18:03 | More by IPAyForHops