Three Sheets - Syrah, Brandy, And Bourbon Barrel Aged - Ballast Point Brewing Company

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First had: on tap at Pinocchio's, Media, PA

Poured a woody, ruddy brown color, clear, but dark enough to be nearly opaque; a thin, wispy eggshell head. Smell is woody/oaky, scents of dark fruits, grape skins, sweet, and a touch of smoke and earthiness. It's obvious from the name, but verified in the taste: this beer has spent time in a barrel. Woody oak, crisp vegetal notes of vanilla bean, grape skin, tannins, only a mild malt sweetness, brandy, subdued earthy hops. Alcohol is tasted more than felt; bourbon profile is very tiny / overpowered by the brandy and syrah (winey quality). Not as sweet as you'd expect from a barleywine, and nowhere near as phenolic as many, but in this case that's definitely a good thing, because it brings out the more savory and robust characteristics. The flavor isn't tremendous, but it's very smooth, full of character, and well crafted. Medium-bodied, smooth, and very drinkable. I'd like to have it again for sure.

Serving type: on-tap

01-07-2012 01:23:19 | More by Rifugium

HopHead84

California

4.47/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12/8/2011

On tap at Old Grove. This was "aged in three different barrels. Syrah, Brandy and Bourbon barrels each impart their own flavors and aromas to the beer within. Colby has come up with a blend of the three, along with a little fresh beer for extra depth."

A: Reddish brown with a finger of beige froth.

S: Big dark fruit notes, redolent of grape, plum, and prune. Vanilla blends with toffee, date, sweet brandy, and bread notes. Bourbon is evident but not as apparent as the syrah and brandy barrels.

T: Sweet toffee up front with notes of brown sugar, caramel, ripe red grape, fig, and date. This is awesome, you can taste the bourbon, brandy, and syrah barrels. Alcohol is restrained compared to the Rum Barrel version but it's still got a little heat. I get vanilla and pronounced oak.

M: Upper medium body with medium carbonation. The mouthfeel is sticky and tannic with some warming.

Overall: A damn fine beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-08-2011 20:44:17 | More by HopHead84