Bourbon Abominable Winter Ale - Fremont Brewing Company

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

4.3/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

650ml red waxed 2012 bomber poured into tulip 13/5/13, cheers Rutager for yet another gem

A quite black right out of the bottle, deep cola edge with a thin film of dense mocha foam leaves a single ring of lace, looks thick

S chocolate syrup, vanilla, fudge, woody whiskey is hard to miss , faint spice, molasses, and some dark fruits I can't quite place but I can't place some raisins and faint booze but nowhere near 11%, smells strong and sexy

T even more barrel and the booze is stronger too, still loads of chocolate and vanilla but not quite as much going on in the mouth compared to the nose, I'm not sure how much bourbon I'm getting but the wood is quite noticeable

M thick and silky with low carbonation and just a little heat, slight tannins and slightly sticky on the lips with chocolate fudge and whiskey lingering on the finish

O I could've gone a little higher in a few departments so slightly higher here to compensate, looks OK but solid else where, quite rich and thick with the booze kept in check for the most part

easy to drink for a big beer and I'm wishing I had another couple bottles to age as I could see this improving with some time behind it. well worth seeking out but grab one now and one for later

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 06:21:23 | More by wordemupg

Fux

France

4.54/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Shared with my beer buddy Pixieskid along with Bourbon Barrel Aged Speedway while everyone was looking for him to go to his wedding ceremony. The best moments to be shared! Thanks Brandon!
A: Dark, opaque, almost no head at all. Some brown / mahogany glints come throughout the glass.
S: Nose on vanilla, coco, toasted and roasted malts, chocolate, dried fruits.
T: The palate shows much barrel flavors, with vanilla, courbon and alcohol. Also dried fruits, soaked fruits (grapes, figs and dates). Finishes on bitter chocolate.
M: The palate is smooth and oily.medium bodied but with a good carbonation, very easy to drink despite a detectable presence of alcohol.
O: Rich, complex, strong but easy to drink. Very pleasant.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 17:13:12 | More by Fux

WillCarrera

Illinois

4.36/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle, red wax, poured into a snifter. Thanks for sharing this Ben!

A- Pours a super dark brown color, thin khaki head, recedes to a collar.

S- Lots of barrel character here, bourbon, which smells great, vanilla, and oak. There's also some chocolatey and caramel / brown sugar aromas from the base. Smells great.

T- More bourbon, dry oak, leather, the caramel and vanilla sweetness comes in towards the end. Nice amount of chocolate, molasses and subtle roasted malt.

M- Full-bodied, moderate to lowish carbonation, smooth, creamy feel.

O- A really tasty beer, the barrel flavors are sweet, rich, and just all-around delicious. I really enjoyed this one.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 06:41:01 | More by WillCarrera

Dreadnaught33

District of Columbia

4.45/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle shared thanks to Bigsexy410, thanks Ben!

Pours a beautiful nearly jet black body with some nice lacing and a ring of tan head.

great smell. Tons of bourbon barrel in this beer, balanced nicely to the malt in the base beer. nice alcohol sweetness and complexity, its very warming and inviting for winter weather. brown sugar, oak, etc, all good stuff.

the taste is really nice, hits the right notes in terms of the leather, bourbon, oak vanilla, super big sweet dessert with lots of character. Feel is also well bodied and carbonated (not very carbonated, but I like that in strong ales), for the style.

Overall a very pleasant beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 01:57:58 | More by Dreadnaught33

blackie

Virginia

4.21/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

brewpub draft, 2011 release

a: served in a small chalice, essentially black in color, sporting a lasting ring of tan carbonation

s: rich barrel sugars, bourbon vanilla, booze soaked wood, semisweet chocolate and rich roasts, toffee, pine hops, hugely complex, pretty great

m: carbonation low to moderate, smooth, with a slick, full body

t: loaded with bourbon barrel supplied vanilla over a body of black, smooth roasted malt carrying loads of dark and semisweet chocolate notes, sweet toffee and caramelized wood sugars, moderate pine hops, long lingering, delicious

o: a big fan of this one, almost running into stout territory, but more towards the balance of rich sugars and bourbon/vanilla with some chocolate accompaniment that roast-focused

Serving type: on-tap

04-09-2013 22:34:09 | More by blackie

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

4.46/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

2011 bottle.

Appearance. Pours a thick looking deep dark brown with a half finger of tan head.

Smell. Sweet and very woody bourbon, vanilla and maple, with some molasses and chocolate.

Taste. Dark chocolate, nice smooth and very woody bourbon, vanilla and a bit of molasses, Really nice.

Mouthfeel. Full body but not heavy, medium-low smooth carbonation.

Overall. A fantastic bourbon stout. Really diggin' this one and a perfect way to start a 4 day weekend!

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 02:36:21 | More by Rutager

smakawhat

Maryland

4.05/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured from the bottle into a snifter glass at Smoke & Barrel DC for the bottle share. Vintage 2012. From notes.

A nice dark walnut brown body with a faint tan collar, some nice mahogany brown edges along the sides of the glass underneath.

Nose has milk chocolate, and a big candy malted whoppers feeling. Lost of milky powder sensations, Nestle Quik with a hint of mild caramel like sensations.

Palate continues the milky sweetness, and even some dense milk chocolate comes out. Faint mild roast but a good sense of playful carbonation. Carbonation hints at some Coca Cola like sweetness.

An interesting take and result for a barrel aged brew. Fun one to drink also, and very easy drinking also.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 20:14:48 | More by smakawhat

bum732

Maryland

4.56/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

S: Hugh bourbon, maple syrup and maltiness. Very intense, fairly strong barrel character.

L: Thick, very dark brown, boarding on black. Light tan head that dissipates.

T: Intense maltiness bordering on roastiness and peanut butter? Low bitterness with a prominent bourbon barrel character mixing with the rich maltiness with just a touch of roast. Finishes with some barrel and toasted marshmallow. Fairly dry finish. Lots of dark fruits as it warms.

M: Medium full body, medium carbonation.

Phenomenal. Intense maltiness and barrel flavors without being too sweet. Just amazing overall.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 01:54:15 | More by bum732

MasterSki

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle shared by Carleton - thanks dude! Served in a Russian River tulip. I think this was the most recent vintage?

A - Tan foam settles to a thin cap, thick collar, and spotty lace. Body is a near-black, dark cola brown color.

S - This smells like bourbon barrel-aged Dr. Pepper. Mix of oak, bourbon, cola, cherries, dark fruits, caramel, perhaps a hint of spice and sarsparilla. It's a bit hot and heavy on the oak, but otherwise it's quite nice.

T - The taste is quite similar, with a heavy cola and spice note in the finish. Bourbon overwhelms, but with notes of chocolate, black cherry, caramel, and vanilla. Oak isn't quite as heavy here, which is appreciated.

M - A tad thin, with a flat soda kind of vibe going on. Medium-bodied, a bit watery, lower carbonation, but otherwise smooth and creamy.

D - Interesting stuff. It's definitely a 'winter' ale and somewhat hard to peg style-wise. A bit more heft and spritz would do this wonders, but it's still pretty enjoyable. I'd have this again, although I don't know if I'd go out of my way to trade for it in the future.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2013 19:23:29 | More by MasterSki

tectactoe

Michigan

4.29/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Big thanks to whomever brought this one to the tasting! Pours a dark brown, might as well call this one black, topped off with a light-tan colored head that doesn't stick around for too long. The nose is full of bourbon and oak with an underlying, woody-vanilla sweetness. Some lighter tones of cocoa, toasted caramel, and sticky molasses. Labeled as a "strong ale" but this could easily pass as an English barleywine.

Creamy and silky bourbon is the first thing to hit the palate, and it comes off as more of a sweet bourbon flavor than a harsh one. Light plums and dark cherries lead the forefront of the fruits, playing atop the hefty malt backbone, complete with molasses, caramel, and some other sweet and syrupy flavors, maybe even a bit of burnt brown sugar. I start to pick up some dark and bittersweet cocoa flavors as this one goes on, too. Woody and oaky with a nice helping of wet bark in the aftertaste, right alongside the warm bourbon flavor. Silky and creamy on the palate, heavy bodied and lightly carbonated.

Devilishly smooth and easily drinkable, complete with the traditional flavors you'd expect from a BBA barleywine, though it's labeled as a "strong ale". Creamy bourbon and oak, along with a unique bittersweet cocoa flavor that comes into play.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 23:20:14 | More by tectactoe

EgadBananas

Louisiana

4.56/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

2012 vintage, shared with friends.

Appearance: deep brown, mine as well be black. Dark tan head, finger, lacy.

Aroma: Bourbon, wood, alcohol, dark fruits, spice, leather, figs, vanilla, chocolate.

Taste: Toasted caramel, dates, bourbon, vanilla, oak tannins, molasses, earth, chocolate, toffee.

***Absolutely fabulous. Never felt daunting or Undrinkable, even for its size. Wonderful barrel characters and a phenomenal base. Easily in my top ten.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 22:23:34 | More by EgadBananas

oline73

Maryland

4/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle into a tasting snifter.

Pours a dark brown color, this beer almost looks like a stout. The smell is sweet with some dark fruit and caramel notes. There is a strong sweetness in the flavor, but the roasted malt notes balance it out a bit. I enjoyed the caramel and dark fruit along with the bourbon. The finish is sweet with a roast bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 05:15:21 | More by oline73

jmarsh123

Indiana

4.74/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Pours black with a finger of dark brown foam receding into a ring. Decent lacing.

Lots of barrel in the nose. Fudge, vanilla, bourbon, oak and some roasty malts.

Big bourbon flavors as well. A ton of bourbon, oak and vanilla combined with the spices make a dark chocolate fudge like flavor. A little subtle hopping and spiciness from the base complements the barrel. A little bit of warming booze on the backend cuts the sweetness.

Full bodied sticky chewy mouthfeel. Wonderful.

Fantastic beer. Thick and sludgy with a wonderful heavy barrel experience. This one is dripping in bourbon, oak and vanilla. Different style, but still leaps and bounds ahead of KDS as far as Fremont BA beers. I downed a whole bottle of this myself and it was good to the last drop.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2013 14:37:17 | More by jmarsh123

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

4.86/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

2012 Vintage poured in to tulip.

A - Black with a thin layer of medium brown head. Carbonation appears low.

S - Big barrel aromas dominate the nose, especially up front. Bourbon, vanilla and charred oak are all present. Some chocolate fudge and roast in the background accompany a big overall sweetness with some slightly noticeable alcohol.

T - Massive bourbon and oak flavours up front with some vanilla and char as the barrel aging really shines in this beer. Chocolate fudge and roast some through form the base beer along with a good hop bitterness. Warming alcohol is present throughout which nicely cuts through the sweetness.

M - Full bodies. thick and sludgy. Light carbonation.

O - This is close to being a flawless example of the style. Close, but not quite there.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 19:34:34 | More by TheSevenDuffs

ehammond1

California

4.18/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle (2011)

Acquired via trade
Thanks, hoparoundnw2337!

(Aged for 1+ year)

Very dark in color; nearly black. No light penetrates through this one, that's for sure. If I was poured this blind, I'd definitely say it was a stout, and not a winter ale...though, stouts largely are my winter ales...so...whatever, this is a dark and pretty beer. Very little head, though a ring of dark khaki foam does remain around the edges of the beer. Leaves the glass nearly clean on the way down.

This doesn't have a particularly expressive aroma, unfortunately. I'm surprised at the lack of aroma because the beer really is delicious. There's a faint bit of chocolate and very mild bourbon, but I really have to search to find much of anything. It's been sitting with me and warming for nearly a half hour now, hoping to revisit the aroma as I drink down the bottle and continue this review.

The flavor, as opposed to the aroma, is something quite spectacular. Layers of chocolate and bourbon integrate incredibly well. This is a very drinkable bourbon barrel-aged beer. Some dark fruits and a bit of Christmas spice emerges as the beer warms. Balanced, warming, rich, and incredibly enjoyable.

Medium to near full in body, especially for the style. Some alcohol heat, but it's welcome in a brew like this.

Fantastic. This is special stuff. Disappointing (lack of) aroma, though.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 05:00:50 | More by ehammond1

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.85/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Thanks to koufax21 for bringing this out to the post Christmas poker game of 2012. Broke out right around the middle of the night, in the midst of some awesome walezbro.

Looks a sturdy deep rich brown and black. Half inch head, dark tan on it, decent retention for a bourbon beer. I like how they push the nickname Bbomb, its far from a bourbon bomb, but every geographical entity needs its rare bourbon beer to push with a nickname. Aroma was straightforward, caramel, bourbon, butterscotch.

Taste reveals many of the same notes as the aroma, but a strong vanilla presence comes out. Chocolate has a small presence, not huge. Not absent. Oak or wood presence was even more reluctant to rear its head. Frankly comes off like it was really soaked or even bourbon added. There is a difference between a bourbon bomb and just boozy heat, and while this one wasn't terrible in that department, it also isn't the best bourbon heavy barrel beer that hides alcohol.

This beer has a moderate amount of booziness, but the sweetness and mild chocolate aspect with substantial vanilla does work out to be a decent beer. I don't think my rating is gonna be above the average, but, when judged by a non local, I think this will be an overall positive experience, just don't have your expectations so high that you think you're getting a world class experience, you're just getting a good PacNW experience in terms of barrel experiments, definitely one of their best yet.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 04:28:42 | More by Beerandraiderfan

mfavoino

Washington

4.4/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed this bottle with Treebs on 12/30/12.

A: Pours an almost black color with a light tan head that diminished quickly to a rim.

S: Spices, bourbon barrel, dark dried fruit, and some alcohol.

T: Caramel malt sweetness and bourbon forward from the start. Spices add more flavor along with slight vanilla. Smooth bourbon and booze as it finishes.

M: Not quite full-bodied with lowish carbonation. Pretty drinkable.

O: Another great one from Fremont in the barrel aged category.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2013 05:04:52 | More by mfavoino

mdaschaf

Washington

4.48/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap at Fremont. Review from notes. 2012 vintage.

A: BBomb was a very dark brown with a small tan head on top that lasts for a few minutes, reducing to a thin ring on top. Little bits of lacing form down the glass.

S: Plenty of bourbon upfront with vanilla and lots of dark fruit aromas. There is some raisin, plum, and a little cherry, along with some smooth chocolate.

T: Again, lots of bourbon and vanilla with even more chocolate than the aroma. More dark fruit, some raisin and figs. Brown sugar and a bit of caramel as well.

M: Full bodied with moderate carbonation. Extremely smooth.

O: A great beer, the barrel shines through nicely and did an amazing job of transforming ABomb into BBomb.

Serving type: on-tap

01-13-2013 21:15:57 | More by mdaschaf

largadeer

California

4.36/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle shared by pokgye. Thanks, hag.

Opaque dark brown body with low carbonation. Almost stout-like in appearance. The nose is great, heavy on rich brown sugar, vanilla and caramel. Plenty of bourbon barrel. Leather notes pop out as it warms, along with a little black licorice. The palate brings a nice mix of sweet burnt sugar, bourbon, vanilla and leather. Body is full, almost syrupy. Mellow heat. Finishes on the dry side, quite a bit of tannic oak. Surprisingly great beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 03:31:47 | More by largadeer

sweemzander

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

22oz. bottle poured into a snifter. Big thanks to Matt for sharing! Been wanting to try this one for awhile! 2012 vintage.

(A)- Pours a near pitch black color, but more like a very deep burnt sienna brown. Some good tan froth that dissipated quickly.

(S)- A rich body of caramel, raisin, cocoa, and dry bourbon oak characters. Not super complex, but quite harmoniously integrated together into a really nice aroma overall.

(T)- Again, quite rich. Superb barrel notes throughout with caramel, raisin, cocoa, and maybe even a hint at some honey. I tend to overuse the word 'harmonious,' when reviewing beers sometimes, but it just fits into how this beer is.

(M)- A mellow but perfect carbonation level for the style. A superb balance too of rich malts with just awesome bourbon barrel characters.

(O)- Just a fantastic beer. Awesome barrel integration into the overall profile of the base beer. An american strong ale is kind of a catch all style in my eyes, but its been awhile since one has really impressed me in awhile. This is just plain good!

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 17:47:40 | More by sweemzander

xabyss

Ohio

4.8/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75

22 oz. bottle poured into Chimay chalice. Very excited to try this one.

A: Pours pitch black with barely a hint of dark tan head that's there and gone before I can write this sentence. No light at all getting through this guy.

S: I think I am developing an addiction to the smell of bourbon barrels. The aroma of this concoction is heavenly: strong vanilla and oak, spices, cocoa, caramel malt and bourbon. I agree with previous reviewers who say this smells highly stout-like. I could just sniff this forever.

T: Follows the nose. Highly complex and well balanced with hardly a trace of the monster ABV. Getting more spices than the nose along with a heaping brown sugar, especially present in the finish. Pretty sweet vanilla throughout the sip, balanced by some bourbon heat and a trace of hop bitterness. Really one of the better barrel-aged brews I've had.

M: Dangerously smooth. Medium-full bodied with subtle carbonation. Goes down too easy.

O: An outstanding barrel-aged beer. I recently acquired two bottles, and was planning on cellaring the second. We'll see how long I can hold out.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2013 02:09:41 | More by xabyss

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

3.91/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4

From BeerAdvocate magazine Issue #61 (Feb 2012):

LOOK: Nearly pitch black

SMELL: Boozy, vanilla, wood, ripe cherries, rose water, vague spiciness, caramel, charcoal, mild coffee, molasses, burnt raisins

TASTE: Fresh barrel juice, pulling wood, vanilla, caramel, perfumey alcohol, warming, smooth, burnt sugar, more booze, ripe fruit, peppery, fresh, boozy semisweet finish

In a sea of bourbon barrel-aged beers that continues to trend, this one is above the middle of the pack. Smacks of that bourbon barrel it was aged in. Balances just enough, while still stirring the palate with interest. Damn tasty.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 17:24:41 | More by BeerAdvocate

CuriousMonk

Virginia

4.43/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

My thanks to gueuzehead for this special brew. Poured from 22oz bomber into tulip glass. Pours a dark brown/almost-black appearance with a half inch off-white head that dissipates within the next minute. The nose picked up oaky vanilla, light undertones of licorice, figs, mild chocolate, and bourbon. The flavor packs a nice, smooth, but a wallop of bourbon heat and goodness along with some caramel, chocolate, chocolate malts. Medium to just pre-thick mouthfeel with a nice stickiness to it. Nice, smooth, and warming backfinish with some pleasant bourbon heat. I was sure glad this beer was classified as a winter warmer because this bit a piece of Hardywood GBS (and the bourbon version as well) from behind for the all-time winter beers I've had to date. A really nice job by Fremont Brewing.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 05:21:25 | More by CuriousMonk

Treebs

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Waxed 22 oz. bottle served FFF teku glass. 2012 vintage. Big thanks to mfavoino for sharing this guy.

A: Pours a dark blackish color with some semi-clear brown edges. A tan head forms on the pour and recedes quickly to a thin ring. Some splotches of lace are left behind.

S: Some light all spice and nutmeg. Dark fruits and very smooth bourbon. Sweet malts with some light barrel oak.

T: Toffee sweetness with some bourbon and light roasted malts. A little chocolate, some light all spice and a finish of caramel with more bourbon.

M: Medium to heavy bodied with some medium to low carb. Some residual sugar sweetness as well leaving a little sweetness that coats the teeth.

O: This was very delicious. The spices still came through while the barrel really shined. I'd love to lay one down and see what some age does to it.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 01:07:33 | More by Treebs

siege06nd

Virginia

4.55/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a 512 Anniversary snifter...

A. Rich, decadent appearance of tarry brown black with oily tobacco legs. A finger of tan colored head that is uniform and tight. This settles to a half finger. Lacing is good...coats the glass in clumpy gobs. A dark, slick, sticky treat of a beer.

S. If I didn't pour this into the glass myself, I'd swear this is Bourbon County Stout. Eerily similar nose to both BCBS and another top rated stout I tried recently: RareRDOS. Yet this is no stout, it's a strong ale. Whatever. It smells like a damn stout to me. Cocoa, vanilla, molasses, oak, caramel, ripe dark fruit, and maybe just a hint of spice. Wow.

T. Very bourbon forward with some drying tannins blended with coconut popping out first. The edges are softened with vanilla, caramel, and some dark chocolate. Truer to the Strong Ale style, this lacks the roastiness and coffee flavors commonly associated with a stout. Instead, it has pronounced barrel presence that is backed with a complex foundation of caramel, vanilla, and chocolate. Drinks similarly to the creamy nougat inside of a boxed chocolate. Very very very good.

M. Light carbonation and an oily, coating mouthfeel. The barrel presence overdoes it just a little bit...comes off a little one note, despite the excellent flavors that emerge from the background. Would be interesting to try the base beer, because the aging has very much dominated this brew. I feel like a stout treatment would perfect this and provide an excellent counterbalance to the barrel. Still good, just slightly light.

O. I've heard this described as a barleywine but I would say it's closer to a stout. In fact, it reminds me very much of Goose Island's Bourbon County Brand Stout, perhaps with a slightly less decadent base beer. If you haven't figured it out by now, the fact that I am comparing this to BCBS means it is an outstanding brew. The effort and care that went into creating this is apparent from the first sip. Haven't had Kentucky Dark Star, but I am seriously ISO after Abominable here. If it is anything like this, than Fremont may just have a barrel program on its hands that rivals Goose Island and Firestone Walker. Very well done.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 20:51:45 | More by siege06nd