Bourbon Barrel Aged Kilt Lifter - Four Peaks Brewing Company

Phelps

Arizona

3.53/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed in a shaker pint at MOTO.

Deep copper-orange that darkens from amber at the edges to deep a deep caramelly center. The head’s fizzy, off-white and composed of watery bubbles. After a few seconds, only a thin ring remains.

The nose: buttery fruits, caramel apple, fig, a touch of peat, lots of oak, alcohol. Hmm. Doesn’t smell much like the regular Kilt Lifter, which is almost odorless.

Caramel and lots of butter in the flavor. The wood seems to have imparted more of this sugary, butter quality to the beer than any other flavors. I do pick up a little vinous oak and sticky alcohol. A tiny bit of earthy hops, some apple and apricot as well.

Medium-high, prickly carbonation, with a body just under medium. No alcohol heat.

Well, it’s better than the regular Kilt Lifter, which I just find bland, but it’s not going to win any awards.

Serving type: on-tap

04-05-2012 22:43:57 | More by Phelps

Gatch

Massachusetts

4.4/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Beautiful, deep amber with brown hues. No head or retention. Minimal lace.

S: Sweet bourbon, caramelized sugar, lightly toasted malt.

T: Wow, very nice. All of the scotch ale characteristics but with a pleasantly sweet bourbon taste throughout. Pretty even all the way through the sip with the bourbon barrel being a complement rather than an overpowering flavor. I always thought Kiltlifter needed something else and this might be it. Smoky, peaty, sweet, and buttery.

M: Incredibly silky and smooth with perfect sweetness. Very little carbonation. Great bourbon barrel flavors throughout.

O: Fantastic beer. Four Peaks really stepped their game up with this one. Makes Kiltlifter one of the better versions of the style that I've had.

Serving type: on-tap

02-28-2012 20:44:44 | More by Gatch