Kuhnhenn Bourbon Barrel Fourth Dementia - Kuhnhenn Brewing Company

ColForbinBC

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle, 2010 version; poured into a snifter

Big thanks to Jebus3515 for this one

Pours a rather translucent chestnut brown body with no head or lacing whatsoever.

The bourbon is strong with this one. Huge bourbon notes sting the nostrils while figs/raisins hold steady. Plums, brown sugar and vanilla round out the nose.

Ok. So, bourbon takes control early and often here. Raisins/figs with brown sugar and plums through the middle before everything gives way to vanilla and more bourbon.

Full, rich body. Fusel alcohol hurts the overall smoothness and delivers an oily feel. Finish is bourbon heat and vanilla.

Overall, this is a damn fine old ale. The barrel aging definitely takes its toll on some of the finer points of the reviewing process, but this beer is a damn good example of the style. A great sipper after dinner.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2012 19:52:19 | More by ColForbinBC

jeonseh

Indiana

4.7/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Bottle poured into a Kuhnhenn glass

A - Deep brown with a very nice and clean look to it. It actually has a nice quarter inch off-white head comprised of many small bubbles. Actually one of the nicest heads I've seen on a high ABV old ale

S - Wow, the nose blows you away as soon as you get close to the glass. It is strong and complex. Strong caramel, vanilla, and oak from the bourbon intermingle with dark fruits like plums and candied dates. There is also a hint of marshmallow that intermingles as well. It balances the oak and bourbon perfectly with the other flavors as it gives it another dimension instead of overpowering.

T - Initally big hints of caramel, marshmallow, and vanilla hit the tongue. Then, a slight dark fruit that reminds me of English Christmas pudding intermingles with a slight alcoholic kick. The finish is bourbon and oak that lingers on the tongue along with the dark fruit flavors. It manages to be sweet but not cloying and all the flavors meld together perfectly as one flows into the next. The alcohol is there but just enough to serve as a reminder that this is a big beer.

MF - Smooth and velvety on the tongue. Medium body with a slight stickiness to it but still very smooth. There is light carbonation that comes in the finish that helps add to the bourbon and oak flavors

O - A splendid old ale from Kuhnhenn's that impresses from the moment you first get a whiff of it. It has a strong and complex nose that really blows you away. The flavors blend sweet, fruity and bourbony together perfectly so that the all play off of each other instead of one overpowering the rest of the beer. It reminds you why people will go to the winter solstice and stand outside in a Detroit winter to get some of this.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 03:34:56 | More by jeonseh

CaptCleveland

Ohio

4.48/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2011 bottle poured in Hunahpu snifter.

Dark black to blood red elixir, thin brown rim, few wisps of lacing, not unexpected for a 13.5% abv brew.

Wonderful mix of sugar, caramel, bourbon, subtle oak. Could really sniff this one all night.

Starts off sweet with toffee, some dark fruits and mild bitterness with the barrel coming through and a lingering bourbon aftertaste. Complex and well integrated.

Surprisingly medium bodied, under carbonated, oily.

This is one to seek out and savor. Well done.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2012 02:20:29 | More by CaptCleveland

srv33

4.5/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a very dark near-black. almost zero head, but a few medium-size bubbles remain. Fantastic fragrance of dark fruits, chocolate, molasses, licorice, and bourbon. Taste very much follows the nose - though these is an amazing complexity here, in addition to the chocolate, molasses, dark fruit, and bourbon notes, there are hints of oak, soy, and a hint of tobacco. Its sweeter than I imagined it would be, definitely more "lush" of a taste compared to other bourbon barrel aged beers I've had. Mouthfeel is very well balanced and very big, definitely a slow sipper sort of beer, though despite its ABV it doesn't show, its hidden quite well. This is a fantastic brew, quite unique, and deserves its position on the list.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2012 01:15:09 | More by srv33

Duff27

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thin tan head. Collar left.

Sweet caramels, smells a bit hot.

Cherries, yum. A tad hot on the tail end but definitely doesn't detract.

Medium mouthfeel, tongue tingling carbonation.

This is a great one, worth every accolade it receives. Everything great about old ales...this one packs. Thanks kawilliams81.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2012 22:50:58 | More by Duff27

Gosox8787

New Hampshire

4.93/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Presentation: 12 oz. bottle from the 2011 vintage. Poured into my Kate the Great tulip glass and served slightly chilled.

Appearance: Dark brown, almost black, in color. Pours a slight beige head recedes almost immediately into a light lacing. Looks a lot like a stout.

Aroma: Huge caramel, molasses and brown sugar upfront. Really nice bourbon and vanilla is also very forward along with hints of oak. Barrel forward yet really well balanced.

Taste: Caramel, molasses and the bourbon from the barrel really stand out upfront. Vanilla and toasted malt create some nice depth. The ABV is hidden very well considering the amount of boubon present.

Mouthfeel: Full bodied and warming. Lower than average carbonation.

Overall, an incredible tasty and balanced old ale. The barrel notes are strong and flavorful and well balanced. Really tasty and one of the best barrel aged non stouts I've ever had. I am definitely going to try to get my hands on more.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2012 02:05:53 | More by Gosox8787

BarryMFBurton

Indiana

4.53/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to Payne for this rare opportunity; I was happy to win this in her American Cancer Society Donation LIF, and even happier to participate in the raising of hundreds of dollars in support of the ACS. Cheers to charity!

A: Breathtakingly thick on the pour – I can’t remember having a beer that looked this syrupy. Lovely dark brown color, not letting much light through at all, with only a moment of filmy head. Looks like thick coffee liqueur, but with specks of brown lacing as the body moves around the glass.

S: Potent, delicious caramel scents waft up as soon as the glass gets anywhere near my face. Strongest of those scents I’ve ever encountered in a beer, bar none. Impressively rich tones of syrup, including toffee and maple, help push the huge caramel backbone to sweet glory. Loads of chocolate, bourbon, and oaky vanilla show that the barrels are there, as well. Smoke and raisin give it some traditional old ale character.

T: Pure malt with definite aged qualities. Caramel, vanilla, chocolate fudge, marshmallow, and toffee give this a sweet, yet refined palate; it’s not devastatingly sugary, in other words. Marginal tastes revolve around sweet gingerbread, along with ripe dates, a spattering of herbal hops, brown sugar, and dark, vinous raisin. Thick barrel and booze tastes provide a decadent wooden tone that leads into the finish. Aftertaste is a reminder that you just drank a bottle of malt, playing on residual sugars and dark, earthy fruit tastes in sticky fashion.

M: All the thickness you’d expect from a beer of this gravity, but with memorable heat. Medium-full and satisfying, but not mouth-coating.

O: Kuhnhenn seems to have been going for the old ale to end all old ales; and, alas, they’ve done it. Style-defining for barrel-aged old ales; it’s just the right mix of barrel, booze, and bold malt. A beautiful beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2012 18:11:42 | More by BarryMFBurton

rudzud

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Received in a trade, poured into my Duvel tulip. 2011 bottle

A - Pours a nice deep brown almost black with a good half a finger mocha head that fades to leave a nice heavy wisps and a good rich halo.

S - Excellent aromas of wood, vanilla, and bourbon. Some light dark fruits, figs mostly, with nice caramel and toffee undertones.

T - Wow, this is tasty. More of those sweet oaky vanilla bourbon notes with strong, but not oppressively, caramel and fig sweetness. There is some nice toffee, almost like burnt sugars. Alcohol is outstandingly hidden.

M - Mouthfeel is holy cow good, smooth, almost creamy that alcohol is no where to be found. That said this is still a sipper.

O - Overall this is a delicious beer, one of my favourite old ales. The bourbon improves the base beer, which was already good, big time. Delicious.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2012 16:31:58 | More by rudzud

jethrodium

California

4.1/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle. Pours a dark brown with almost no head and a few bubbles around the edge. No lacing. The aroma is huge vanilla, bourbon, caramel, and light chocolate, as well as quite a bit of booze. The taste is sweet with caramel, toffee, bourbon, vanilla, and some light chocolate. The finish has a strong alcohol presence. Full bodied. Low carbonation. This was quite good despite the alcohol being very prominent.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2012 21:08:36 | More by jethrodium

schlimenhaumer

New York

3.48/5  rDev -24%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a "Belgian Independence Day" tulip at high altitude near Denver, CO. I've had the regular Fourth Dementia, so my expectations for this one are quite high.

A: Pours an opaque reddish-brown color with a very thin off-white head of minimal retention. This one is pretty viscous and leaves a film when swished around the glass. Not the most appealing beer to look at.

S: A strong sweet aroma. Caramel, toffee, sweet malts, oak, some booze and a bit of dark fruit in the background.

T: Opens with toffee and caramel notes followed by some dark fruit notes and an oak finish. The alcohol comes through a bit on the finish, but not as strongly as expected for a bourbon-barrel aged old ale. The sweetness is a bit cloying in my opinion.

M: Full-bodied and viscous with adequate carbonation. Thick and syrupy.

O: I really don't understand the hype surrounding this one. Although it hides the ABV well, I don't particularly enjoy it.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2012 03:05:07 | More by schlimenhaumer

kojevergas

California

3.05/5  rDev -33.4%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

12 fl oz brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap served into a La Chouffe tulip in me friend's gaff in high altitude Castle Rock, Colorado.

A: Pours a half finger khaki colour head that quickly reduces to an edgewise floater. Fair cream and thickness. Awful retention, though the ABV is quite high indeed. Colour is a nontransparent dark vaguely fecal brown. Opaque. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. Not appealing really at all.

Sm: Heavy caramelized malt, English hopping (dirty floral), some biscuity yeast, and some cream. Strong malts, some oak barrel. Some boozy heat. An average strength aroma. Not horribly appealing.

T: Biscuity yeast. Heavy malt caramelization provides the foundation. Dirty floral hopping is prominent to its detriment. Some heat. Heavy on the toffee - probably its best attribute. Maybe some oak; if so, it's buried. It's alright, but I don't care for it much. Maybe slight hints of licorice. Some spice. Not horribly complex, and not at all subtle. I don't see what all the hype is about. This is mundane. Overly sweet.

Mf: Smooth and wet. Good thickness. Good carbonation. Suits the flavours in a general sense.

Dr: I'm severely disappointed by this beer. Hides its ABV quite well, but that's the best thing about it. I expected far more given the style. It's no North Coast Old Stock Ale. Pricey and over-hyped. I wouldn't get it again. I just don't get it. I'll go with a C+ for the well-hidden ABV, but I'm just damned disappointed.

C+

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2012 02:55:32 | More by kojevergas

Etan

Illinois

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

12oz bottle into a snifter (2011).

A: Pours a dark opaque brownish-black with a small tan head.

S: Thick aroma of maple, caramel, prune, sweet oak, vanilla, raisin.

T: Melted marshmallow, brown sugar, prune, grape and raisin, maple, tannic and dry bourbon, slight vanilla, a bit of a warming boozy bite on the end.

M: Very slight carbonation, thick-bodied.

O: Thick, rich, and tasty.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2012 02:38:50 | More by Etan

mulder1010

Australia

4.05/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 OZ bottle poured into a globe glass

A-- Poured a dark murky brown. Bits of ruby, that are close to purple looking. Just a bit of off white film. Obvious and thick alcohol legs and quick fading spotty lacing. Honestly quite ugly looking beer.

S-- Oak, bourbon, vanilla, Carmel, toasted marshmallow, figs, alcohol and dark fruits. Really settled down into the barrel characters and marshmallow. Big massive nose. Insanely rich and powerful.

T-- Big dose of alcohol off the bat. Bourbon, oak, thick and rich carmel, fig, and marshmallow. Only issue is the heat from the ABV but this is just silly in the taste.

M-- Thick and rich. Slightly sweet. Might have needed a bit more time ageing to smooth out more. Lots of figs, toasted coconut, and stewed plumbs in the mouth. Quite slick and finishes with a bit of alcohol heat and a lot of toasted coconut. Nice.

O-- Big massive sipper. Close to wine like in complexity. Lots of alcohol is the only real negative to this. Brilliantly done and just a treat to drink if you like high ABV and high gravity beers.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2012 12:38:51 | More by mulder1010

ChadQuest

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Visually is a really dark mahogany color, no head but a thin collar, understandable with the abv.
The aroma is sharp with alcohol. Even though the abv is the same as the non barrel aged it is stronger in heat on the nose. Potent barrels. Brown Sugar dissolved in bourbon, raisins and vanilla.
The flavors are bourbon forward, caramel and brown sugar, dates, molasses and maple syrup, and a myriad of other dark fruits. I can tell this is fresh.
The mouthfeel is low carb and syrupy.

I like this beer, about as much as i liked the non-Bal version. both are really nice.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2012 05:09:47 | More by ChadQuest

BruceBruce

Texas

4.55/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A. Reminds me of a barley wine with this amazing raspberry, radish hue

S. Alcohol, berries, a lot of sweetness and a bit of a sour smell

T. Sorry to be so simple but it's super sweet up front, then some smoke and a great bourbon alcohol burn/warmness at the end. I love it, I could go on and on about this one but simple and sweet.

M. Perfect, there is no other way to describe it. Low carbonation and not to thick makes for an amazing feel.

O. Second time to try it and wish I was better at reviews but man all I can say is go but this one for sure. Don't walk, Run!

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2012 04:48:40 | More by BruceBruce

BostonHops

Massachusetts

4.8/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

12oz bottle served in a snifter.

pours a murky mahogany / chestnut tone while yielding virtually no head even with a somewhat aggressive pour - not surprising in the least. obvioulsy no lacing, either. bold, malt-forward nose is rife with with bourbon, caramel / toffee, brown sugar, dark fruits, and a little vanilla. mouth-watering.

as enticing as the aroma is, i think the flavor is even better. just tones of the aforementioned characters with a few others i didn't get in the nose. some molasses, oak, and a hint of chocolate. chewy, full-bodied mouthfeel with slightly below average carbonation.

overall, enjoying the hell out of this one; so rich and flavorful but doesn't stray into the cloying sweet. great bourbon presence. just a phenomenal beer - world class.

(originally reviewed: 01-31-2012)

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2012 03:58:26 | More by BostonHops

jmarsh123

Indiana

3.65/5  rDev -20.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a murky reddish brown with absolutely no head or lacing.

Aroma is bourbon soaked raisins, with some heavy burnt sugar and caramel. The bourbon is not very strong.

Similar flavors. Loads of caramel and molasses with big time sweetness. A little bit of vanilla with well integrated bourbon.

Pretty thick mouthfeel with almost zero carb making it cloying sweet at times.

Pretty good. Much better than the regular version although I'm just not a huge fan of the base beer. That said, the bourbon is very well integrated and adds a lot to this one so it was still enjoyable. As with all Kuhnhenn overall rating takes a hit because it is almost completely flat decreasing the drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2012 15:04:26 | More by jmarsh123

Gushue3

Massachusetts

4.6/5  rDev +0.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

First day of the NBA playoffs so I'm celebrating with my first BB4D ('11 vintage) poured into Hunah' snifter.

A Pours dark brown and deep dark brown/black in the glass. Almost no head on the pour which I expected from the ABV. Nice signs of carbo when I play with it.

S Big time sweetness on the nose. Sweet rum soaked raisins and dark fruits follow burnt sugar and mollasses and caramel. Musty, dank, sweet, and a some booze. Smells fantastic.

T Follows the nose closely. Caramel, mollasses, vanilla, big sweet malts, wood and bourbon. Some smoke and leather hiding in there as well. There's so much going on with this one, I could focus on a few flavors each sip and keep getting something different. Bourbon is really well integrated in this one. really close to a 5.

M Big full feel is accompanied by a very low carbonation which completely suits this beer. Thick and chewy makes this a perfect sipper.

O I'm completely floored by this beer. The nose and taste are top top notch and everything else was great as well. It's great to get a beer that absolutely lives up to the hype. Permanently ISO

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2012 01:29:47 | More by Gushue3

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

4.53/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

355ml bottle poured into tulip 9/6/12 cheers liamt07 for this one

A very dark brown with a deep dark amber edge, well the edge goes to the middle of the liquid. A thumbs width of dark tan head fizzes out pretty fast and leaves no lace, about what you'd expect with the alc%, lots of streams of tiny bubbles though going up the side of the glass

S molasses and dark nutty toffee mix well with some mellow smokey, woody bourbon notes and a little booze. The roasted marsh mellow I read on the bottle is there but I doubt I would have picked up on it without it being pointed out. just a hint of overripe fruit pops up, smells pretty sweet in more ways then one

T even more bourbon notes then the nose but everything else is still there with a little cola, smokey and not overly sweet but lots of caramels both soft and burnt. Its a little boozy but if it wasn't at this strength and age I'd be concerned

M thick and syrupy with perfect carbonation, a little sticky and just a little heat but all things considered the booze is very well concealed, my mouth has a little smokey woody burn left behind but I'm digging it for sure, I'll be tasting this tomorrow at this rate

O near perfection in nearly every area, this ones so far above the non-barreled version I'm thinking my non-BB4d bottle was slightly tainted.

The hype is real, but I'm wondering if they left some bourbon in the barrel. This is a completely different beer to the regular version I tried recently and I'm blown away by the difference. Thanks again liamt07 for this gem of a bad boy

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2012 06:26:08 | More by wordemupg

Steasy66

Minnesota

4.23/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

3oz pour from 12oz bottle into snifter, enjoyed with Tewaris, Anand, and Lowery.
A- Deep brown, no carbonation
S- Booze, malt, bourbon
T- Super sweet, bourbon, boozy
M- Thick, low carbonation
O- Nice beer, very good, very sweet, good barrel character.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2012 06:27:10 | More by Steasy66

portia99

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev -12%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle (2010 vintage) poured into a Cigar City snifter...having this immediately following a BBBW '10...hoping it compares favorably.

A - Pours a deep brown color, a bit on the muddy side. No attempt at forming a head ever occurs on the pour and only a very thin collar is formed on the edge of the glass...no lacing.

S - Immediately my nose is filled with the scent of prunes...in fact, almost straight prune juice at first. Behind the prunes is some dark caramel, a bit of molasses, burnt dark brown sugar, toffee, raisins. hints of vanilla, mild booze. Smells very good, but doesn't really stand out above other offerings out there.

T - Quite sweet overall...tons of caramel, loads of dark fruits, especially the prunes from the aroma, a bit of hoppy bitterness, touches of citrus - maybe tangerines or orange peel, super sweet, buttery toffee, burnt sugar, molasses, vanilla, bourbon. Super complex, but maybe a bit too sweet for my personal tastes.

M - Medium-full bodied with a minimal carbonation that fits rather well. Very sweet overall with lots of burnt sugar, toffee, caramel, molasses. Booze is amazingly well controlled...barrel is evident but so well done and controlled. Really no booziness here, just complementary flavors from the barrel.

O - Very hard to believe this is a 13.5% barrel aged beer. Booze is so subtle and works very, very well. Wish I had this on its own instead of just behind the BBBW. The BBBW is so balanced and outstanding I think it outshined this a bit and diminished my impression. This is an excellent beer, perhaps a bit too sweet, but still under control. A slow sipper that has great complexity of flavor and aroma. Definitely a great beer worthy of seeking out.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2012 01:58:07 | More by portia99

inlimbo77

Delaware

4.48/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle. 2011 vintage. Poured this into my Lost Abbey tulip glass. Enjoyed this after Old Curmudgeon and Better Half, so the taste buds might be a bit off. Getting drunk for sure at this point.

A: It pours a complleletly cloudy dark dark amber. Very murky looking. No head on this big big beer. Can't tell, but it doesn't look to have tons of carbonation. Definitely get those alcohol feet though, for sure.

S: Delicious bourbon and sweet malts. Pulling lots of toasted caramel/toffee notes. The bourbon is there with some vanilla from the oak aging. I do get some dark fruit: figs, raisins, plums maybe. And as others have mentioned, some chocolate is hidden in there too.

T: This is a complex beer to say the least. Right up front you get lots of toffee notes. Burnt brown sugar, molasses, caramel, etc. There is actually a little touch of tartness from the dark fruits in there initially too. Then it leads into the BA'ing with some vanilla sweetness. That chocolate that I smelled is there but buried beneath so many other things. LONG finish.

M: Full bodied. It's a mouth coating beer. Seeing as this is a fresh batch, you do get some of that alcohol and warming in the throat as well.

O: Even with the fresh batch booziness and all the hype for Better Half, I liked this more on this night. I really wonder what more time would do to this beer. Even better I assume.

M: Medium and times full.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2012 13:52:24 | More by inlimbo77

brystmar

New York

4.43/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2010 vintage. Opened alongside the '11 at a recent tasting, and we agreed the '10 was clearly superior (with the differences not attributable to age).

Dull, murky-looking pour, but this brew makes up what it lacks in looks with personality galore. Caramel, oak, dark raisins, bourbon, aged booze, tons of malt. Love the aroma!

Malts and caramel flow freely around my taste buds while the bourbon and aged booze fall into a supporting role. Dark fruits make a brief appearance before settling into a slightly sweet finish, augmented by a nice warming sensation in the back of my throat. Viscous body nails the delivery. Very complex, and tasty as hell.

As stated above, the '11 couldn't hold a candle to the 2010. Whatever they did to that earlier batch was magical, and I want more!

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2012 20:10:08 | More by brystmar

Auracom

Illinois

4.23/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

More thanks to Ramiro. 3-4 oz. poured into a CBS snifter on May 18th, 2012.

A - Looks like HotD Adam. Murky, dark brown coloring. Almost zero carbonation, retention, or lacing. Alcohol legs abound.

S - Completely insane, unadultered toffee and caramel notes here. Like I can't even express how big the caramel is in this one. Behind that, barrel notes lie. Bourbon, some oak, a touch of different chocolates blended (baker's, dark, milk). Faint alcohol solvency.

T - Well-balanced vanilla, chocolate, and charred malt grains. The toffee and caramel pours over itself multiple times throughout mid palate. Molasses, brown sugar. Residual sugar and oaky aftertaste.

M - Moderate body, good carbonation, semi-sweet finish. Very smooth overall.

D - This is a cool stout/barleywine hybrid, expressing some of the best notes of both styles but not overextending its reach in either direction. I want more.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2012 21:41:49 | More by Auracom

drinknewbelgium

Pennsylvania

4.73/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I enjoyed this beer on tap at the brewery in Warren, MI. The color of the body was dark mahogany, almost like coca cola, and the head formed a tight, lasting cafe-colored barrier near the rim of my snifter. Smells oaky and strong scents of alcohol. The taste was unbelievable. It was soooo smooth. This beer hit with many flavors-apple, bourbon, coffee, chocolate and finished with warm alcohol overtones. The alcohol was present thorough-out, but it seemed to bite more at the end. The mouth-feel was medium creme body. The body was consistent and allowed for "timed released flavor" waves to hit your palate. This beer is excellent and a must try for anyone passing through Warren, MI. The brewery is great too! It is very low-key and prices are very reasonable.

Serving type: on-tap

05-29-2012 20:02:31 | More by drinknewbelgium