Kentucky Christmas - Hopworks Urban Brewery

djbreezy

Washington

4.35/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance - amber with some transparency

Smell - vanilla, bourbon, citrus hops

Taste - much milder than I expected but nice and complex, bourbon, hops, vanilla, citrus, floral notes

Mouthfeel - medium body, even carbonation

Overall - was really surprised, great flavors, thought it would but heavier and malted but overall very pleased!!

Serving type: on-tap

12-24-2011 05:16:41 | More by djbreezy

Kopfschuss

Oregon

4.5/5  rDev +4.2%

12-23-2012 13:50:52 | More by Kopfschuss

flexabull

California

4.15/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Interesting beer that I sampled at the Bend Brewfest, scribbled some notes because it was seemed like an odd choice for the summer.

Pours a bright and slightly hazy copper color with small white head.

Aromas are very barrel forward, some coconut, bourbon, vanilla, and a touch of sugary malts.

Taste is also barrel forward, but this beer is pretty refined and doesn't knock you over the head with big flavors. I mostly taste coconut, vanilla, some brown sugars, light tea, and bourbon. A hint of hoppy bitterness on the finish. Alcohol is there, but it's well restrained.

Mouthfeel is really quite smooth with good body.

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised. This is a very nice sipping beer, good barrel flavors, but not over the top.

Serving type: on-tap

08-23-2012 18:11:57 | More by flexabull

wildcat29

4.5/5  rDev +4.2%

08-01-2012 21:33:49 | More by wildcat29

shelby415

Oregon

4/5  rDev -7.4%

02-25-2012 07:44:34 | More by shelby415

loren01

Oregon

4.15/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Nice clear copper color, very slight head and lacing
S: Very much full of oak and vanilla. Also some piney hop scents in there.
T: Once again, lots of oak with slight bourbon. Both citrusy and piney hop flavors.
M: Medium bodied beer, ETOH is not very well hidden, has a pretty good bite to it.
O: This is a really good beer, would get this one again for sure.

Serving type: on-tap

12-30-2011 20:35:58 | More by loren01

jdense

Oregon

3.9/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Holiday Ale Festival, multiple 4 oz. samples for all beers reviewed, though I wish I'd have brought a tasting glass and ditched the plastic mug, LOL.

Lingering light tan head over medium amber clear body. Quite a bit of bourbony sweetness in the nose from Buffalo Trace barrels, vanilla, booze. Taste is a bit sweet with above bourbon profile, but the hops are still the star, citrusy. Medium mouthfeel and body, good effervescence. The Bourbon is still very pronounced in the nose, wonder how another year of barrel aging would effect the taste, though note the bourbon is subsumed by the hops on the tastebuds resulting in a fair balance. Nice, worth a try, especially for bourbon hopheads like me :).

Serving type: on-tap

12-11-2011 17:43:18 | More by jdense

CoryR

Oregon

5/5  rDev +15.7%

11-19-2011 04:19:35 | More by CoryR

HopHead84

California

4/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12/16/10

On tap at the brewery. Supposedly Bourbon Aged Abominable Winter Ale. In a tulip. Could dredge up little info on this from the laconic bartendress.

A: Brownish amber with a crimson tinge in the dull lighting here in the corner. Small head that quickly disappears.

S: At first I could smell no bourbon, and the aroma made me think I was poured the wrong beer as it's not particularly wintry. As the beer warmed, the rich caramel revealed itself and the barrel became more evident. Notes of bourbon are light. I also detect some vanilla and wood. Hops are piney and earthy. Smells like an American Barleywine barrel aged for a short period of time.

T: Assertive hop bitterness with notes of resinous pine and a dash of grapefruit. Bourbon is light and well integrated, though a bit more influence would be welcome. At times the rich caramel is the focus, and at others the hops are at the forefront. Finish is lightly sweet and a nice blend of rich caramel malt, bourbon, and resinous bitterness.

M: Upper medium body with moderate carbonation and a sticky, silky mouthfeel.

Overall: Not a traditional winter ale, but quite nice. Bourbon is restrained yet well integrated. An enjoyable beer, and not unlike an American Barleywine. Either Barrel Aging completely changed this beer, or I was served the wrong base beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-17-2010 19:10:16 | More by HopHead84

vegbeerlover

Oregon

4.65/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Had this on-tap at the Holiday Ale Festival here in Portland, OR. Their Abominable Winter Ale aged in Buffalo Trace Bourbon Barrels (which happens to be my favorite bourbon).

- Nice dark ale

- you could definitely taste the bourbon notes - got some hints of Southern Comfort myself

Very easy to drink and not over powering - unlike many of the barrel aged brews.

- This was my favorite at the fest. I hope that Hopworks has this in bottles or on tap soon.

Serving type: on-tap

12-07-2010 22:01:19 | More by vegbeerlover

Docer

Washington

4.33/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on-tap at the Holiday Ale Festival here in Portland, OR. Their Abominable Winter Ale aged in Buffalo Trace Bourbon Barrels (which happens to be my favorite bourbon).

- Nice dark roasty looking ale... dark mocha-like head... yet light... settled to a ring rather quickly...

- Sweet vanilla sweet and citrus aromas... what a beautiful smell this beer has. Malts, sweet grains, many hops and citrus... with a sofy and candy-like bourbon vanilla and spice.

- Balanced, light, hides the alcohol completely... very flavorful. Big oakey vanilla... hops, and smooth brown sugar sweet grains.... the regular abominable is great.. this is far superior...

- Light and only slightly creamy... well carbonated.. slightly drying and sticky... but only slightly.

- This was one of the bigger hits for me at the fest. I would hope that Hopworks would make this their regular winter brew in bottles... and lots of them. I would pay $10 for a bomber... many!

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2010 01:14:44 | More by Docer