Straight Jacket (Barrel-Aged Institutionalized) - Revolution Brewing Company - Brewpub

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a snifter at The Firkin.

Another situation where I haven't tried the base beer, but am nonetheless undeterred from ticking the barreled version. Oh yeah. This stuff pours a murky garnet topped by a half-finger of wan khaki foam. The nose comprises toasted toffee, whiskey, light toasted oak, light cocoa, and candied orange peel. The taste brings in more of the same, along with some light ruby red grapefruit rind and a slightly boozy kick. The body is a hefty medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a drying finish. Overall, a pretty enjoyable barrel-aged barleywine. It may not be especially crazy or anything, but I'd definitely have another, no hesitation.

Serving type: on-tap

12-27-2012 16:05:14 | More by TMoney2591

MasterSki

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Got my Mug Club 5oz taster of this one - missed the base beer so didn't really know what to expect. A blend using both Jack Daniels and Heaven Hill Rye barrels.

A - A finger of tan foam settles to a partial cap and thicker collar, leaving behind some spotty lace. Murky caramel brown body.

S - Very sweet - lots of unfermented sugars in here. Toffee, caramel, lightly toasted malts. It's initially very Jack Daniels-forward, but the Heaven Hill character builds as it warms up. Some alcohol present, but nothing unexpected for 13%.

T - This is an odd case where I think the base beer has overwhelmed the barrel flavors - there's minimal oak and only a light whiskey bite in the finish. Just tons of caramel, toffee, treacle, and brown sugar. Sort of boring actually, as it's mono-dimensional sweetness and gets cloying after a while.

M - Medium-full body, chewy and sticky, light tannic finish, and lower carbonation. Some moderate alcohol warmth, but not too much.

D - A decent barrel-aged barleywine, but one of Revolutions weaker offerings. I didn't feel the need to order a whole glass of this one. I think I preferred Haymarket's stab at this style to be honest, although it suffered from excessive booze. Wooden Hell, BA Behemoth, and BA Hi-Fi Rye are safe on the podium for the moment.

Serving type: on-tap

09-08-2011 19:53:25 | More by MasterSki

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

This poured as a very nice clear brown color, there is a thin white hea on top also. The retention is thin, just a ring around the edge of the glass. Not much lacing. The smell is sweet and very malty, some bourbon and hops in there as well. The taste is sweet with loaded of malt, caramel, maple and oak. The mouthfeel is syrupy, gently carbonated a slick. Overall it's a very nice barley wine, the barrel aging isn't over the top but still very good.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 22:51:53 | More by Knapp85

emerge077

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2012 bottled batch:
Dark saturated amber orange, wispy head that fades quickly.
Creme brûlée, toasted coconut, rich caramel toffee, good dose of Woodford or similar sweeter bourbon. Very smooth, moderately sweet and confectionary, big toffee and toasted marshmallow. Pretty tasty and seemingly and improvement from the first batch.

9-8-11 - 3.8
Opted for the smaller $5 draft pour, a brimming taster glass.

Pours a murky reddish brown, with a thin layer of creamy foam that faded slowly into a wispy web pattern on the surface. Sticky lace all around the edges. Opaque body.

Sweet caramel, cajeta, toffee, vanilla. Extremely sweet, "dessert in a glass" impression from the nose alone. More barrel character here would add some balance, but it's nice as is.

Feel is sticky, flavors of sweet caramel, vanilla, and toffee flavors dominate. Sweet lingering finish, vanilla from the wood, but not especially boozy. The alcohol does seem to dry out the palate after the sweetness passes. The distinctive dried cherry notes of the base beer have been obliterated by the barrel it seems. Overall this is good, and potent in small doses. Wouldn't want more than one, and then only for dessert.

Serving type: on-tap

09-18-2011 17:05:17 | More by emerge077

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.38/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: Poured a clear burgundyish color with a good whispy dirty white cap, a good amount of bubbles and lacing persists after a sip or two. Good lookin' brew with good head retention.

S: Big toffee and caramel nose, really sweet with a stinging booze note on the nostrils. Very aromatic and I was hoping the taste would follow the nose. Some vanilla and dark fruits also grace the nose.

T: Initial toffee, brown sugar, dark fruits and caramel goodness, pretty sweet with some initial bourbon barrel sting. A nice punch of vanilla, coconut and wood soaked bourbon appears but not overpowering. The finish is sweet, somewhat sticky yet dry but warming.

M: Medium bodied, booze stings and hangs onto the palate as does that tasty sugary blend of caramel, toffee, vanilla...

O: Very good. I was pretty impressed. The heat is up there but it was not overly hot. I could drink this all day long!

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2013 22:52:35 | More by barleywinefiend

mdfb79

New York

4.26/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

From 01/21/13 notes. Had this on tap at the brewpub; was excited to see it on tap.

a - Pours a deep mahogany brown color with one inch of off white head and moderate carbonation evident. Looks as expected.

s - Smells of vanilla, coconut, toffee, caramel malts, whiskey, bready malts, oak, toasted malts, some light sugar. I thought the nose is awesome. Sweet and full of vanill and whiskey; maybe a tiny bit hot but I like that in BA beers, especially in the nose.

t - Tastes of vanilla, whiskey, caramel malts, toffee, sugar, toasted malts, dark fruits, bready malts, coconut, molasses, and some alcohol. Again, very nice, but a little more alcohol here, so downgrading it a tiny bit from the nose. I still like it a lot though.

m - Full, thick body and low carbonation. Some alcohol heat so docking it a tiny bit but also quite tihck and smooth.

o - Overall I thought this was a great BA barleywine; it reminded me of a slightly better, less boozey Bolt Cutter. Loads of vanilla and caramel mixing with whiskey, I liked it a lot. If you like whiskey/beers that are a little bit hot or you like Bolt Cutter I would definitely try to get this one; would love to have it again.

Serving type: on-tap

01-25-2013 18:34:15 | More by mdfb79

AgentZero

Illinois

3.28/5  rDev -23.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A - A very nice looking deep, brown beer that turns yellow on the edges. Great khaki head that had moderate retention and faded to a misty ring. Sides left clean.

S - Lots of dark fruits, figs, raisins, dates. Very sweet smelling. The barrel influence is kind of minimal and dominated by the very strong sweet smell. A little touch of vanilla and some caramel.

T - This really tastes a lot like a quad-barleywine mix. Tons of dark fruit, some caramel and molasses. Alcohol is well hidden but the whiskey is minimal as is the barrel influence overall. Leaves a bit of a lighter fruity taste in the back of the mouth. Very cloying and powerfully sweet.

M - Full bodied and smooth, slightly souring on the finish.

O - One of the more fatiguing beers I've had in a while. So sweet I was ready to call it quits after an ounce, literally. Not that it tastes bad, just way too powerfully sweet and rich. I forced my way through 5 ounces but was rough. Not getting this again at the price.

Serving type: on-tap

09-09-2011 22:28:12 | More by AgentZero

GbVDave

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in a snifter at Revolution 9/17/11. Thanks to HeatherAnn for the assist!

A: Served a murky dark caramel brown color with an exceedingly creamy layer of khaki colored foam on top. Lacing was pretty and plentiful, leaving intricate patterns down the inside of the glass.

S: No mistaking that this spent a while in Bourbon barrels. Strong, but not overwhelming, aromas of bourbon coupled with molassas, dark fruit, vanilla, and coconut.

T: As above with toasted nuts, chocolate, brown sugar, and more bourbon.

M: Very slick and full, but not at all syrupy. Sweet. Heath noticed a bit of alcohol burn, but I had a hard time detecting much heat.

O: This was a rare 13%er that didn't wear out our tongues. Dangerously easy to drink. Excellent effort in their BA program.

Serving type: on-tap

09-18-2011 17:10:28 | More by GbVDave

oline73

Maryland

4.21/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured from the bottle into a tasting snifter. This was opened at a BA Barleywine tasting.

Pours with a decent amount of head and an amber color. This one has a good balance between sweeter flavors and hop bitterness. The smell is very strong and full of malt and bourbon heat. I'm getting some caramel and vanilla notes. The hops lighten up the sweetness a bit. This is pretty easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 05:33:19 | More by oline73

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

4.31/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4.25

Thanks to Robbie for this bottle!
Bottled on Dec 6, 2012. Poured in to snifter.

A - Poured medium copper and settled a very dark amber colour that is almost opaque with a ruby glow along the bottom. Half a finger of cream coloured head formed and reduced to a few scattered bubbles along the top of the beer.

S - Sweet bourbon, oak and vanilla from the barrel treatment stand out with caramel, toffee and raisin notes from the base beer and a hint of coconut in the background.

T - The barrel dominates up front with bourbon and toasted oak flavours and a touch of sweet vanilla. The base beer is well integrated with the barrel and adds sweet toffee, dark caramel and raisin flavours.

M - Medium to full body but a touch thin at times. Light carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 02:13:11 | More by TheSevenDuffs

sweemzander

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22oz. bottle poured into a snifter. Thanks for sharing Chris!

(A)- Pours a hazy tawny amber color. Some tan froth and lacing left behind.

(S)- Nice dry oak characters with sweet bourbon and toasted caramel. Maybe even some toffee and honey sweetness as it warms.

(T)- Again, really nice notes of honey, caramel, toffee, and oaky bourbon notes. Not super boozy but obvious and really nice barrel notes overall that blend well with the sweetness of the beer.

(M)- A smooth and mellow carbonation level. A nice balance to it as well with great bourbon notes with an underlying sweetness that in no way overpowering but incredibly balanced for the style.

(O)- This is a great barrel aged barleywine. It actually might lean more towards the english style than american for me, but with having this and very mad cow by revolution, I am becoming a believer in their deep wood series. Very well balanced and also incredibly drinkable for the style.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 22:04:22 | More by sweemzander

Sean9689

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -18.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Rev Kedzie Grand Opening Party.

A - Pours darker reddish color, off-white head, thin collar.

S - Bourbon, dark fruits, oak, barrel notes, light vanilla, and caramel. I think I get more JD over the HH Rye, but either way, it works decently well.

T - I'm getting a lot more JD here, pretty harsh. Other notes of dark fruit, oak, caramel, light char. Alcohol is noticeable, but at 13%, it's hard not to expect that. Finish is boozy and burnt sugary sweetness, slightly harsh on the end.

M - Medium to full body (could use a bit more here), good carbonation, creamy oak finish.

O - An improvement over the base beer, but I'm not a big fan of that to begin with. Pretty forgettable when it comes to BA Barleywine, but overall not too bad.

Serving type: on-tap

06-26-2012 15:37:00 | More by Sean9689

homebrew311

Illinois

4.23/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appears a clear burnt orange with layer of tan head, nice retention. Nose starts with big bourbon wave, vanilla, molasses and oak come through. Taste is smooth with an assertive sweet malt profile. Smooth vanilla, toffee, caramel, and marshmallow. A bit of leather and earth finish things off. Smooth mouthfeel, medium carbonation. Overall, the barrel really smooths things out and makes this quite a bit more exciting.

Serving type: on-tap

11-17-2012 21:00:03 | More by homebrew311

Florida9

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Not the prettiest beer. Color is a red-hued opaque cloudy brown. Served with a thin layer of creamy light tan head. Leaves some light lacing.

S: Smell is of caramel, brown sugar, toffee, and vanilla. Smells sweet, almost sugary.

T: Much like the smell. More caramel and brown sugar. Vanilla complements the sweetness. There is some oak, but it is fairly light when compared to the strong vanilla quality. I tend to not like beers that are this sweet, but this beer is quite balanced and it just works together.

M: Mouthfeel is full bodied. Very luscious with soft carbonation. Alcohol is present, but you'd never guess it's 13%.

O: A very nice BABW. The flavors blend play well together and I'm glad the barrel aging wasn't overdone. Fairly sweet with lots of vanilla. If there ever was a dessert beer, this would be it.

Serving type: on-tap

09-27-2011 02:02:30 | More by Florida9

inlimbo77

Delaware

4.1/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle
12/6/12
The Bruery tulip

A: Murky amber color. No head at all. Just laces of white whisp. Maybe see some tiny bubbles. Definitely some alcohol feet. Could have used a touch more carbonation.

S: Wow, holy bourbon. Smells of wet barrel for sure. Smells as soon as I cracked bottle. Oak is certainly there. Vanilla. Caramel. Sticky toffee pudding. Sweet malty goodness.

T: Taste follows the nose. Definitely getting sweet toffee and vanilla and caramel with this one. Touch of bitterness on the tip of the tongue, but then it's malt city. The sweetness continues during the sip, until you get some alcohol heat on the back end. I wish the barrel was a little more incorporated in the base, but it's pretty darn solid at any rate.

M: It's not super think, but is a full bodied boozy beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 17:54:14 | More by inlimbo77

DovaliHops

California

4.24/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

12/06/12 bottle date. Thanks to an awesome BA for sending me this one. Pours a hazy, amber-red color with a small white head that disappears quickly. Scent is not much to write home about...gonna let it warm up a bit... Okay, I've let it warm up long enough. There is some faint whiskey aroma coming through with nice vanilla notes. Some nice dark fruit aromas. Taste is much more forward than the nose. Initially, great booziness. I'm not gonna lie, I love my BA beers to have some booziness, and this one has it. Nice warmth. Boozy whiskey up front with some vanilla and dark fruit flavors. I'm not positive what kinda barrels this beer was aged in, but you can tell they weren't "top of the line"... which is okay by me. I'm always good for a nice beer aged in Jack barrels or something. There are some definite rye flavors coming in as I taste it more. Was this beer aged in rye whiskey barrels? I should have done my research. Mouthfeel is perfect for the style. Drinkability is fairly high...somewhat scary. Overall, this beer is very unique. I'm getting a lot of rye flavors and this is a barleywine. I'm only used to rye BA stouts and whatnot. Very tasty beer!

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 10:05:19 | More by DovaliHops

kawilliams81

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22 oz bottle into a Pipeworks snifter.

A- pours a dark copper with a 1 finger tan head. Some blotches of lacing remain on the glass.

S- sweet dark fruits, caramel, brown sugar, vanilla.

T- caramel, toffee, dark fruits, whiskey, slight citrus, and some bitterness at the finish.

M- full body and medium carbonation. Smooth yet syrupy with some alcohol,present.

O- good BA Barleywine. Not a top 10 Barleywine but falls in line shortly after.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 05:21:19 | More by kawilliams81

Treebs

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22 oz. bottle served in a Hofbrau tulip. Bottled Decemeber 6, 2012.

A: Pours a pretty clear ruby color with a tan head forming on the pour. It recedes to a thin cap that leaves some splotchy lace behind.

S: Toffee and caramel with some smooth bourbon. Dark fruits, more so raisins as it's a little sweet. A little chocolate with some very light piney hops.

T: Pretty sweet up front, but once you get past it there are bready malts with some caramel. Brown sugar, smooth bourbon and a little dark fruit. A light touch of vanilla with some minimal oak. Slight heat on the finish.

M: Medium bodied with a smooth, medium-low carbonation level. Very slight heat on the finish.

O: Delicious. Incredibly smooth with a well integrated barrel. There is a slight touch of heat, but nothing out of line considering the 13% ABV. Slightly sweet upfront, but overall it is very pretty balanced.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 04:35:28 | More by Treebs

yamar68

Minnesota

3.71/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4

Thanks scalzo!

Nice ruby brown body with a thin but well-retaining off white head that produces great lace, plenty of alcohol legging.

They definitely weren't kidding around when it came to the bourbon barrels. Vanilla, caramel, huge bourbon sweetness, milk chocolate, toffee, brown sugar, warming booze... it's a big'n.

Woah... even bigger on the palate. The big malt/bourbon sweetness hits first, then the heat surfaces, then a dry and sticky finish. The booze-soaked oak is pretty much a theme through and through. Honestly, this one tastes even boozier than 13%. Are they just saying that in order to appease those pussies in Ohio?

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 01:06:34 | More by yamar68

Etan

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

22oz bottle from the first bottled release, 2012, into a snifter.

A: Pours a reddish mahogany color with a small off-white head.

S: Thick and sugary marshmallow, raisin, melted caramel, and vanilla dominate the nose. Very tannic, but not dry. No alcohol detectable.

T: Dried fruits, dark cooked caramel and vanilla, lots of dry oak and bourbon, palpable bitterness and warmth from the alcohol. Nutty and cherry notes come out as it warms. Almost as sweet as the nose, but with some balancing bitterness.

M: Thick-bodied with very, very low carbonation. A little more carbonation could move this from somewhat syrupy to creamy.

O: A great tasting barleywine, heavy on the barrel. More carbonation would help the mouthfeel, but besides that this is very good.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2013 22:03:54 | More by Etan

mfavoino

Washington

4.26/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Shared a bottle with Treebs. Thanks for this one that wasn't on my radar! Bottle from 6 Dec 12.

A: Pours a copper/ruby color with a solid head that recedes quickly.

S: Bourbon barrel, caramel malts, subtle dark fruits, and some booze.

T: Sweet malts initially with smooth bourbon that doesn't take away from the base. Caramel and toffee malts give big malt flavor. Booze heat as it finishes, but not out of scope for a beer with a big abv.

M: Medium to full-bodied with medium carbonation and alcohol heat on the finish.

O: I personally would put call this more of an English Barleywine. Either way, this was a well-balanced, slightly sweet barleywine that I was glad to try.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 18:46:15 | More by mfavoino

vic21234

Illinois

4.48/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22oz bomber poured into a snifter. Warmed at room temperature from the fridge for about 15 minutes. Bottled on date is 12/6/12.

A- Pours a dark copper/ ruby color, mostly clear with a small amount of haze. A minimal amount of head quickly fades. Nice alcohol legs along the sides of the glass.

S- Initial smell is of dark fruits and an overall sweetness. Molasses and bourbon round out the taste.

T- At first taste comes sweet malts and bourbon. I get hints of vanilla and dark fruits also. Lots going on in the taste as with most barleywines. As it warms the flavors become even more notable.

M- Medium to heavy, low carbonation, a nice sipping beer. The bourbon flavors are big in this one, but it doesn't drink as hot as some BA American Barleywines I've had in recent memory.

This is the first I've had from Revolution as far as their BA offerings, and I am impressed. A great example of a BA American Barleywine.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 00:59:37 | More by vic21234

weonfire

Kentucky

4.46/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A - Reddish mahogany, pinky thickness white tiny bubbled head, dissipates quickly

S - Sweet bourbon, purple grapes, toffee, aged fruits: cherry?

T - initial: sweet, real sweet, bourbon, toffee, chocolate, grapes, cherry. finish: aged fruit, real minor booze

M - just a toucher thinner than some of the exceptional barley wines, frothy, medium body, moderate linger-er

O - Lovely. Bourbon is extraordinary, frothy level was great, aged fruits were outstanding- real complex. only knock maybe be a bit sweet for some palates and I wish it was just a touch thicker, but thats just me.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 02:05:31 | More by weonfire

timc100

Illinois

4.36/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A: Dark, muggy ruby with a minimal beige head. When aggressively poured it reveals nice big boozy spotted big-bubble lacing. Ready to tuck in, no doubt

S: Fantastic. Big dark fruits - bourbon soaked raisins, figs and plums. Huge brown sugar sweetness as well as bourbon caramel. The vanilla is very subtle. There is a very nice organic woodiness to it. Overall has the aroma of a cohesive beer - not necessarily a barelywine and bourbon, more a marriage of the two. There is certainly some heat on it, needs a year or so to balance out.

T: Very, very tasty; however, too boozy right now. Big sweet dark fruits, brown sugar and caramel. There is more vanilla than the aroma, but still not as much as other BABWs. Bordering on cloying sweetness.

P: Thinner than it should be, but it doesn't take away much. Very smooth with soft carbonation - medium bodied.

O: A fantastic bourbon barleywine all around. Very excited to see how it ages, I have high hopes.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 04:24:49 | More by timc100

Hopfist

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Wonderful complexity. Richness of flavors play very well together. It's dark murky (almost mud-like) appearance as it cascades in the snifter doesn't do much to make you want to dive right in, and perhaps you shouldn't. This gentle monster improves dramatically as you allow it to warm from serving tank temperature. Refreshing maltiness for a big barleywine. A pleasant departure from the common "Hop the snot out of it" approach to the style. Though I love this beer for it's flavor and complexity, it's drinkability that sets it apart from every other 13%er around. Pound for pound, the easiest drinking big beer in town. Certainly a favorite.

Serving type: on-tap

09-20-2011 17:24:33 | More by Hopfist