Bourbon County Brand Stout - Goose Island Beer Co.

emerge077

Illinois

4.68/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Year old bottle.

Drizzles into a wide chalice, poured very slowly, intentionally trying to create some foam. It works, some irregular bubbles stretch over the surface, that slowly succumb to the strength of the stout. A ring of milk chocolate froth clings to the rim of the glass. Served at a cool cellar temp.

Whiff of mild vanilla, and a hint of bourbon. Mysteriously, the aroma hides the onslaught of flavor that will roll out soon after. First sip is a slow burst of chocolate, vanilla, oak, and of course, bourbon. The barrel aging and cellaring has melded this stout symbiotically with bourbon in an unbelievable way. Alcohol has mellowed with time, which furthers the drinkability aspect. Bittersweet chocolate and coffee hang on the palate in the aftertaste.

Mouthfeel is silky, infinitely smooth and rich.
This is a rare treat.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2006 03:01:15 | More by emerge077

Gavage

New Jersey

4.93/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance: black in color with a thin dark brown 1/2" head that broke apart quickly.

Smell: loads of roasted tones, dark chocolate, some coffee, vanilla, and bourbon come through to the nose.

Taste: deep roasted malt flavor with dark chocolate, vanilla, oak, soft coffee tones, and a very mild bourbon flavor. Alcohol is noticeable and warming. Bitterness is nicely balancing but not too impacting on other flavors.

Mouthfeel: heavy in body. Smooth from start to finish with some dryness late. Aftertaste is long lasting. There is a bit of a velvety feel on the tongue too.

Overall: this one was very smooth and dangerously easy to drink. Great balanced flavor and as it warms the flavors really come through. Great beer.

Serving type: on-tap

09-05-2012 17:36:03 | More by Gavage

jwc215

New Jersey

4.38/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to PhxHorn for this one!

Pours black with a thin swirl that lasts. Not much "lacing", but "legs" stick.

The smell is of chocolate, some licorice and vanilla/bourbon.

The taste is of chocolate, licorice, with a vanilla sweetness from the bourbon. A pleasant bourbon character is there - strong enough to enjoy while not overpowering the delicious imp. stout character. It finishes with a woody dryness.

The feel is silky smooth. Full-bodied without being thick or too syrupy.

I would love to give "drinkability" a higher score, but the alcohol does show (though reasonably incorporated for the abv) on this potent sipper. This is a 2008 vintage - enjoyed very much. Would love to see how this baby turns out after aging (too bad it's not distributed around here). If you have the good fortune of having this in your area, grab some!

Great imp. stout with a nice bourbon character!

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2009 21:39:15 | More by jwc215

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A 12 oz bottle from a trade with mmcave.

A: The ale pours a nice thick blackness. As I examine it closer, it looks more dark brown. On pour, there is little carbonation and the stout settles to a mere off-white ring around the edge of the glass.

S: The aroma is a well-balanced combination of roasted chocolate and sweet bourbon. When well-mixed, the bourbon aroma is absolutely intoxicating (see my review of bottled Curieux).

T: This stout accepts the responsibility that comes with the name bourbon! The first sensations to register on the tongue are sickly sweet bourbon notes, some vanilla, brown sugar and butter flavors all shine. The stout is fully enveloped by the bourbon character, allowing those flavors to run the gamut from start to finish. I struggle to find any roasted, chocolatey malt body, but the fantastic bourbon character steals the limelight.

M: The bourbon character is well done here, imparting some nice flavors that I think could overpower something less powerful than a double stout.

D: The 11% abv is a whopper, but the buttery sweet bourbon flavors are wonderful. This is an excellent night cap.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2007 03:16:55 | More by akorsak

tempest

Pennsylvania

4.53/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Vintage 2007, 13% abv.

Easily the smoothest, tastiest ~13% beer I've ever had. Yes, it's a bit thick, but no more so than weaker double or imperial stouts. The aroma is rich with the bourbon which once on the palate, doesn't dominate, but compliments the strong, dark chocolate ad espresso flavors. Throw in a dash of oak and vanilla and you've got a hell of a beer. More please.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2007 22:18:28 | More by tempest

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appears opaque black burnt malt color forms an oozing tan chocolate head leaves fine specks of lacing after the oil like pour. Aroma is primarily charred oak vanilla with dark chocolate whiskey barrel aging is here on multiple levels vinous fruit alcohol almost takes out some un needed nose hairs. Flavor is big almost too big half the bottle is an ample serving size for me the vanilla charred oak tone is great in moderation dark chocolate and espresso coffee with leafy tobacco like edge to it all with fusel alcohol finish it doesn't hide the fact that it's 11% alcohol by volume very well. Mouthfeel has a Chewy texture low carbontion as it warms it's a bit cloying on the palate. Drinkabiliy is limited for me, it challenges the senses but sessionability is key sometimes if looking for an extreme barrel aged creation you have found a full flavored one.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2006 22:30:15 | More by WVbeergeek

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I pop the cap and a whiff of mystery just hits my nose, and the bottle is a foot from my face. Pours pitch black with just a very small amount of tan head on the top. Nose hints of vanilla. A nice little tease for the senses really. Flavor is thick and complex. Vanilla, thick malts, and a load of body just come together. Thick liquid feel and a low carbonation still feel nice. Drinkable? This is more an interesting sipper. Something to ponder, and probably something that could use a few more years to mellow and chill.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2008 06:56:44 | More by RblWthACoz

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.22/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a jet black with a dirty white head. Nose was heavy bourbon as was the taste. I did not notice much other than bourbon on this brew. It was good but expected a more robust flavor. The ABV was very well masked. Burbon dominance. A good brew but I actually wanted more vanilla, oak, cocoa and everything else. Maybe I missed somethng. It takes more than bourbon to make a grwat beer these days.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2008 06:05:25 | More by barleywinefiend

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.58/5  rDev -21%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I'm unimpressed with this beer's look: Even with a violent pour, there is nearly no head. And what's there, dies to a single layer of minute bubbles on the edge. Nearly black in color, no light shines through (even on the edges).

Strong alcohol smells of sherry and port. Sweet and rich to the nose, almost as if there's an apertif added to this beer.

It tastes like a port-induced dark beer. It doesn't have the typical stout flavors of coffee and chocolate. Lots of sweet plum (like Japanese plum wine) and no bitterness. The swallow and aftertaste shows off the high alcohol content--very warming to the tongue and stomach. Rich like cream in the body, almost oily. Very low carbonation.

This is an after-dinner sipping beer. I believe it is closer to taste and feel to an overpowered barley wine. It's like no other stout I've ever had. All this said, it's very tasty but not for the faint of heart. Worth seeking out for the unusual flavors present.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2010 22:46:25 | More by smcolw

Wasatch

Utah

4.83/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Fuckn' Asshole website deleted my 2006 review.

Thanks to beerwolf77 for this brew.

2009 Vintage
Bottled On: 11/12/09

Poured into a chalice a very nice black color, nice carbonation, nice little fizzy tannish head, oil slicks and minimal sticky lacing around the edges. The nose is sweet/roasted/malts, slight alcohol, nice bourbon/oak note, toffee/chocolate/coffee. The taste is absolutely delicious, slightly sweet, roasted malts, vanilla, nice oaky taste, tons of toffee/chocolate/coffee, a slight dry finish. Alcohol gives a great warming feeling. Full/Medium body, a very nice smooth/silky brew, ABV hidden very well, for a brew this high in ABV. Very drinkable, an awesome Imperial Stout from GI, highly recommended. Thanks Todd for the new version.

Thanks to msubulldog25 for this brew.

2006 Vintage

Poured into a chalice a very nice black color, nice carbonation, nice little fizzy tannish head, oil slicks and minimal sticky lacing around the edges. The nose is sweet/roasted/malts, slight alcohol, nice bourbon/oak note, toffee/chocolate/coffee. The taste is absolutely delicious, slightly sweet, roasted malts, vanilla, nice oaky taste, tons of toffee/chocolate/coffee, a slight dry finish. Alcohol gives a great warming feeling. Medium body, a very nice smooth/silky brew, ABV hidden very well. Very drinkable, an awesome ADS from GI, highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2007 00:33:19 | More by Wasatch

jdhilt

New Hampshire

4.47/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2009 Vintage. Pours a one finger brown head that quickly fades to a ring, leaving traces of lace. Black color no highlights. Light carbonation and heavy bodied. Bourbon and alcohol nose. Flavor is bourbon, molasses and some alcohol. Pricey at $6.30 for a 12oz bottle from Colonial Spirits Acton, Ma.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2010 22:50:25 | More by jdhilt

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

served in a large brandy snifter

A-Jet black color with a cinnamon brown head that quickly fades from a thin film to a line around the glass edge.

S- Roast malts with coffee and just a bit of prune and a faint bit of leather give this beer a bold nose.

T- A big burnt maltyness with some chocolate notes and a big finish of hops and alcoholic warmth. After a few sips I start to pick up a hint of vanilla and a bit of oakiness. The favor is big and bold but has some nice complexity.

M- This has a big body and is sweet and think on the lips and tongue. no carbonation is felt in the mouthfeel and its not really very hot in the mouthfeel.


D- This is a big chewy heavy stout with the alcohol, hops and roastiness to handle the conditioning in bourbon barrels. I nice beer but not one I could sit down and drink a 4 pack. I find myself drink water in between sips, this is beers version of port.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2005 04:26:43 | More by rhoadsrage

Billolick

New York

4.33/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is one of the thickest, richest and tastiest stouts I've ever tried. If you like em "dark and sludgy" this one will do it for you. Pours black, with minor dark tan head. Little lacing. Nose of brandy, chocolate and burnt malts. Bold char broiled flavors abound, whiskey soaked raisins, dark chocolate, a double black expresso tossed in, some vanilla, oak and more chocolate late,sheesh, can you say complexity?!? Very thick, super bad dark flavors. Meta winter sipper. Not for the faint of heart or those not into super bold dark beers. Goose Island continues to impress. The arrival of their beers in the NYC area this fall and winter has been the highlight of the local beer scene, IMHO

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2005 00:13:07 | More by Billolick

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.78/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Had the 08 and 07 and loved both. Now I get to try the 09 and finally review it. Got this one in a very quick and great trade by Lunch.

A: Screw top, really guys?! Pours with almost no head, a few bubbles here and there, but so goes the style. But the head that does come rings around the sides of the glass and leaves a lacing. The pitch black color gives midnight a bad name. I think I feel the souls of mortals all around being sucked into this pit of darkness and light void. Even at the very bottom where it thins, no light escapes and I think it was born from Nazgul!

N: Well it starts off with a very light NOTHING. It actually starts with heavy bourbon and oak. A sweet oaky bourbon aroma just dances out of the glass and gently bashes the heck out of your nose! This is followed by some rich dark stout malts, some roasted, some chocolate, then some sweet caramel. A touch of vanilla rounds it off to an overall awesomeness that smells better than, ummm, something that smells great. A touch of alcohol comes out as the glass warms.

T: Super rich thickness that makes crude oil blush. It's thicker than my boss (just kidding), and richer than Bill Gates. A luscious sweet malt flavor starts to grow, but is battled back by more heavy oak and bourbon flavors. A touch of dark fruit comes through, but barely. Then comes some more sweet caramel and perhaps molasses. Another wave of chocolate hits with a slight creamy flavor accompanied by vanilla and more caramel. Think everything sweet that tastes awesome and throw it together in one glass. A touch of alcohol flavor, but barely. This this is dangerous being 13% and drinks like 8-9%.

M: Very little carbonation, but so thick I think it's absorbing my mouth into it to become one entity. Very velvety smooth and heavy. Still rich and smooth. A little bit of alcohol burn and warmth but barely.

F: Still pretty sweet and super thick. It never really leaves as it leaves a huge thick coat on the mouth. It leaves a new layer like my body created a new layer of skin, but only super thick beer. A slight lingering bourbon flavor, but it's mostly the chocolate, vanilla, and caramel. The crazy dark heavy richness of this makes Ozzy look like a church. OK, enough with the bad reference, but this beer is ridiculously thick and luscious, as well as delicious! Thanks again Paul.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2009 01:58:42 | More by jlindros

mdfb79

New York

4.65/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass.

Thanks to Lunch for throwing this in as an extra in our trade!

a - Pours a very dark black, not letting in any light. Little carbonation and a little bit of a brown colored head that lasts for about a minute.

s - Wow, smells amazing. Lots of bourbon here, also a wood smell. A hint of chocolate as well.

t - Tastes just like it smells; delicious. A great bourbon taste, with caramel and a little bit of chocolate as well. Also taste the oak a bit.

m - Smooth and creamy, thick body, small amount of carbonation.

d - I really enjoyed this beer. It's one of the better bourbon stouts I've had and if you are a fan of whiskey like me, this is a definite must-try. Because of the 13% ABV I wouldn't drink too many at once but it sure tastes great.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2010 00:33:30 | More by mdfb79

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle from Secret Santa jay23. Thanks for the opportunity.

Poured into a heavy glass chalice, formed a skim of dark brown bubbles above the opaque dark brown/black brew. Bubbles mostly head for the rim, with fleeting lace. Aroma is heavy dark grain sweetness, with alcohol noticeable. Taste is super rich chocolatey sweetness, with a tinge of dark fruits in the middle, and partially submerged alcohol in the close and aftertaste, which warms the soul. Mouthfeel is smooth, creamy, yet chewy, and drinkability is slow, but everything makes you want to come back for more when you can. A decadent pleasure.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2007 02:40:00 | More by ppoitras

weeare138

Pennsylvania

4.63/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to kmpitz2 & TAR for this...
Appears black with a bubbly 2 finger tan head that quickly fades into a small collar. No lacing is left behind that there is little head retention.
Smell is of subdued candied bourbon & American oak & rich caramel vanilla, bitter chocolate, raisins melted into a rich, sugary syrup, and perhaps a rich cherimoya sorbet in there as well. Obviously complex!
Taste is of the same aromas...left in the barrel just the right amount of time.
Mouthfeel is chewy, caramely sweet, smooth, slightly fizzy on the swallow with an alcohol burn. The ABV is evident before it even reaches the mouth. It almost burns the eyes as the glass approaches the nose and mouth.
Drinkability is very candy like and addictive with intense flavors. ABV is there but it is very delicious. One bottle is enough to do the job for the night. Savor every last drop of this!

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2006 01:38:56 | More by weeare138

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

4.45/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle into a snifter. 2007 release.

Pours black as an oil slick with a 1/2 finger of burnt mocha colored head. This eventually fizzles out into a still, dead looking black surface that reminds of the lifeless eyes of a Great White shark. Lacing is relegated to a spotty smattering at first and then eventually a fantastic looking oily brown residue that coats the side of the glass. The aroma is OMG! huge bourbon notes straight up my nose and other places.. Aaaaargh! I've never had a beer burn my eyeballs before! In all seriousness, the bourbon notes do absolutely dominate the nose but somehow I can still pick up some of the Stout notes, including chocolate, smoke, roast, and char.

The taste is just as boozy with bourbon notes as the aroma and it's no wonder that I put it in a snifter. Overpowering notes of oak and vanilla mingle with the molassass, roasted malts, chocolate, espresso, smoke, and soy sauce character of the Stout. There's a ton in there but it's all just a bit unbalanced towards the bourbon side right now. The mouthfeel is right up there with the deepest for me (Dark Lord & Expedition)and is just absolutely thick and chewy as can be. That 13% is present but gives off more warmth than it does heat and combines with the bourbon notes to finish things with a bit of a hot punch.

Wow! This is just a beast of a beer in every capacity. Huge bourbon? Huge Stout flavors? Huge alcohol? Check! Check! and Check! My only gripe with this beer is that right now, the bourbon overrides some of those wonderful Stout characteristics a little too much. I'm most definitley looking forward to aging a bottle of this for a year and revistiing it again.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2008 16:44:14 | More by Kegatron

Zorro

California

4.88/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Sampled due to beerhandy and Blue Max BIF.

This pours as a thick and deeply red and brown colored beer that turns to black once it actually settles in the glass. A small reddish brown head forms and then disappears.

Intense Bourbon barrel aroma. I clearly smell this and it is sitting on a table 3 feet away from my nose. The smell is rich and sweet and very strongly of vanilla and whiskey. Caramel, toffee and chocolate mocha all are very strong in this. Very much a bourbon barrel beer.

Taste is sweet and a little bitter and intense with the flavors of vanilla and caramel in the first sip. Thick and intense, the whiskey and chocolate fight it out here to be the stronger flavor. After a while black licorice makes an appearance in the taste. An incredible ale. I quickly don't care WHAT the individual flavors are in this; I just want LOTS more of this stuff.

Mouthfeel is chocolate Milkshake.

Real hard to be objective about this beer it is just REALLY damn good. If you dislike thick beers and the taste of Bourbon you will absolutely HATE this beer. I myself LOVE this stuff.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2006 06:59:34 | More by Zorro

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

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

Worth every penny. Pours a deep opaque black, no light penetrates, super thick, small tan head forms, leaves pretty quick but settles to a ring that lasts the glass, nice lacing and legs. Smell is huge, vanilla, chocolate, coffee, cherries, tobacco, bourbon, oak, toffee, and rum raisins, alcohol doesn't really come out here, super complex. Taste is chocolate, coffee, real roasty, with faint bourbon notes, lots of vanilla and oak, toffee, maple syrup, and a roasted chocolate bitter finish. Mouthfeel is super thick, very full bodied, with medium to low carbonation. Drinkability is pretty low simply because its thick as hell, although great. I though it was similar in complexity to Bells Batch 7000, smell/taste seemed to constantly be changing. Amazing stout, aged for 100 days in Bourbon barrels, but the Bourbon was held in check and worked very nicely. Fantastic.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2005 09:13:40 | More by Viggo

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.03/5  rDev -11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Ink black. Whipped brown frothing of good size on top. Retention is great as are the lace qualities. The aroma is of bourbon, chocolate, roast, char, tobacco, vanilla. Nice aroma. I notice the heat first and foremost when I taste it. And then I pretty much notice it the rest of the way. Cherry chocolate liquor type of feel to it. The char is present and some roast. Chocolate. A little smoke. But everything takes a backseat to the ethanol. The alcoholic bitterness lingers long after the sip. Body is medium at best. It could use a little boost. Carbonation is appropriate. I'm not a big fan of bourbon, but I AM a big fan of bourbon barrel beers. This one is just too damn hot. And it's coming from the beer, not the barrel.

Thanks for the brew Big Ol ZAP!!

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2006 04:25:32 | More by Bighuge

corby112

Pennsylvania

4.85/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to ThomasHardy for sending me an 05 vintage of this as an extra!

Pours pitch black and completely opaque without even the slightest of lighter colored edges when held to a light source. Completely still with no head at all. This looks like a goblet of oil.

Aroma is dominated by a ton of oaky bourbon with hints of vanilla. Also, I'm picking up a lot of roasted malt, chocolate, coffee bean, burnt toast and bourbon, bourbon, bourbon!

Heavy full chewy viscous mouthfeel with such a smooth creamy body that I can't believe this beer is 11%. The alcohol heat is excellently masked. Lots of wooden earthy oak notes and bourbon flavor with hints of subtle vanilla. Also a good bit of roasted chocolate malt, burnt toast, coffee, oatmeal and Bourbon! So creamy, smooth and well balanced. This beer is incredibly mellow afte the three years of aging. Nice alcohol warmth in the finish with some subtle hops. This beer is absolutely fantastic. I want to get a few more bottles so I can try it fresh and age a few for a decade or so. ISO more bottle!

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2009 07:11:45 | More by corby112

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

4.1/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

2008, 12 oz version from a 4 pack in a screw top no less! Pours jet black, cherry cola head. Did diminish faster than desired, but the carbonation was perfect. Also, had this after a TenFidy (and during the Mir/Cro Cop fight last night). Aroma was massive, just like about every other aspect of this beer. Wood and whiskey.

Taste, sure bourbon, the stout aspect of it seemed a little naked. Certain amount of smoky sweetness to it. Doesn't really have anything unique that other bourbon barrels don't bring to the table. Definitely a sipper, but doesn't seem hot for 13%. Seems to get thicker and more boozy throughout the mouthfeel as the glass gets more empty. Syrup or molasses, or just maybe how sludgy you get at this strength and style. An immense amount of chocolate.

I still have 3 more of these, should be neat to see how they evolve.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2010 19:51:03 | More by Beerandraiderfan

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.48/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The 2012 version, on tap at Max's today.

The beer pours a blackish brown color with good head retention and lacing. That being said, just looking at this beer, it has the look of a beer that has seen considerable barrel aging. The nose, of course, is incredible, as I get considerable bourbon (natch), dark chocolate, light coffee and malt balls. The flavor profile is every bit as good, and replicates the nose very closely. The bourbon and dark chocolate seem to dominate, but I have no problem at all with that. Mouthfeel is fairly full, and the beer is a bit hot on the finish, but I think that's to be expected in a beer like this.

Completely over the top, with way too much bourbon character I suppose.... in other words, exactly what I'm looking for in an RIS. I would order this beer any time I see it on tap at a beer bar.

Serving type: on-tap

07-31-2012 20:33:02 | More by johnmichaelsen

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

4.55/5  rDev +0.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

First had: bottle from John's Marketplace, Portland, OR
'08 vintage, consumed at Beermongers in Dec. '11

Strolling into John's with my wife on our Portland beercation, I gravitated in an almost zen-like fashion directly to a shelf that had 4 bottles of this beer front and center for all the world to see, and I quickly snatched up two of them...then promptly returned to get the other two.

Being sure to share a bit with our bartender at Beermongers, we poured this one into a snifter. Color looked black, but was in fact the darkest of browns, with ruby tints, and a bubbly ringlet for a head. Big time bourbon in the aroma, along with scents of roasted malts and semi-sweet chocolate. Huge complexity in the taste, with obvious notes of bourbon-drenched oak up front, accompanied by some alcohol warmth. Mid-palate brought in notes of chocolate-covered cherries, dark malts, vegetal vanilla bean. A huge coffee profile in the finish. Incredibly smooth mouthfeel, full-bodied and robustly chewy. Highly drinkable, and highly recommended...if you can find it.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2012 02:56:45 | More by Rifugium