Bourbon Barrel Stout - Odell Brewing Company

xuptygm

Nebraska

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

As black as they come. Massive cream colored head with good retention. Very rich complex beer. Roasted malt, alcohol, caramel, a little vanilla, a sweetness with a hint of bourbon. Pretty damn smooth, medium/full body. Warming dry finish.

This is a great beer and worth seeking out. I hope it gets made again. I know I will be tracking down another bottle.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2011 17:15:07 | More by xuptygm

antlerwrestler19

Nebraska

2.75/5  rDev -30.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Settles to pitch black color with an enormous light mocha colored head that rises up rocky and frothy - doesn't seem to fall until I begin to sip in which case it plants it's remains on the side of the glass in the form of thick chunky lacing. The aroma brings out subtle bitter chocolate, a slight vanilla, some "roastiness", boozy bourbon and some woody/earthy notes in there. The flavor is underwhelming....definitely boozy as the sting from the alcohol is pronounced and topples over the creamy chocolate and dark roasted malts that I was anticipating - definite bold flavors, but not in a good way. The flavor is only surpassed, or should I say, harshened due to the over carbonated mess of a mouthfeel - I'm left with a harsh boozy almost acidic/sour flavor in my mouth. I was pretty jacked for this release....and then I drank the beer, it's as simple as that. I am quite partial to Odell, in fact they're my favorite brewery that distributes to my area and it saddens me that I didn't get a wonderful bourbon-bal aged stout experience that I 100% expected of them....maybe the forum posts of infections and such are true of this brew, but it's rated so highly....I hope to one day try a delicious batch of this.

Cheers

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2011 05:17:18 | More by antlerwrestler19

ArrogantB

Colorado

2.83/5  rDev -28.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Picked up a bottle of this based on someone's recommendation, big mistake. Dark black color, a little head. Smells like alcohol, booze, a bit of stout and more booze. The taste had slight notes of grain and coffee but it was mostly alcohol, rubbing alcohol in fact. This was really poor quality considering the cost and I'll be really cautious purchasing their 750's in the future, probably just stick to the IPA and Lupulin.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2011 02:05:34 | More by ArrogantB

Tone

Missouri

3.33/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a black color. 1/3 inch head of a tan color. Great retention and great lacing. Smells of liquor, slight roasted malt, slight sweet malt, and a hint of hops. Fits the style of an American Double / Imperial Stout. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of liquor, roasted malt, and slight sweet malt. Overall, great appearance, decent aroma, and decent body.

Serving type: on-tap

10-07-2011 15:34:24 | More by Tone

TenHornsProud

Colorado

4.3/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a solid black with a big, tan lacing head.

Smells of oak, bourbon, coffee, and roasted malt.

Tastes of roasted malt with notes of bourbon, vanilla, oak, and coffee. Surprinsigly well-hidden alcohol. Intense and satisfying flavor.

The creamy mouthfeel really adds a lot to this beer. It is also low in carbonation, which works well.

This is an amazing beer IF you like bourbon and oak character because those are the two main notes of the beer that become almost totally dominant it warms.

Serving type: on-tap

10-07-2011 13:26:22 | More by TenHornsProud

Spider889

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at the brewery, notes from 9/27. I really wanted to take a bottle of this or Woodcut No. 5 home, but they were $25 a bottle, which seemed steep imo.

This year's was listed as being aged in Stranahan's whiskey barrels, and the abv as 11.5%.

Black as night, no real head on her, though a small ring of bubbles topped the pour.

Smells really roasty, full of charcoal at first. Then some enticingly heavy bourbon aromas kicked into high gear. Lots of coconut and booze, backed by mild vanilla and some dense chocolate.

The taste was very smooth for the alcohol. Nice vanilla and oak notes; the bourbon, while deliciously well integrated, was nowhere near as strong as it seemed on the nose.

A bit thin for my tastes, though carbonation was appropriately low.

Overall a very solid BA stout.

Serving type: on-tap

10-06-2011 23:48:54 | More by Spider889

travbo1983

Georgia

3.88/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Odells Bourbon Barrel Stout is good but not great.
22 oz bottle poured into a snifter.
First thought: expecting a bit more vanilla notes from the Bourbon.

Unfortunately, the smoothness of the beer overwhelms any special characteristics that you would expect from a Barrel aged variety. If you're looking for smoothness drink chilled, but if you're looking for the bourbon kick let it reach nearly room temperature. I was amazed at the difference.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2011 03:25:35 | More by travbo1983

Domingo

Colorado

3.5/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 5 | overall: 3.5

This is a review of the 2011 vintage that just hit shelves, so this is a pretty fresh bottle for what it's worth.
Deep brown in the light, but nearly black from more than a few inches away. An off-white head springs up from a normal pour and surprisingly has some staying power. Pretty unusual for a barrel aged beer and one this strong. I'm impressed!
The nose is bourbon heavy, with a little bit of coffee and dark chocolate. No real surprises, although the bourbon note is strong.
The flavor leans in the same direction. Sweet malts, roasted coffee, and semi-sweet chocolate give way to a fair amount of bourbon character, which really does overpower things a bit. Instead of a compliment, it's more of a clash or hostile takeover in this case. Subsequent sips tend to favor that bourbon note more and more. It's not bad, but maybe just a little heavy. I think the body of the stout just needs more pep in the malt department to keep up. Usually that's only a problem for milder stouts.
Mouthfeel is about as good as a beer like this can get. It's thick and rich, with very steady carbonation.
Some elements of this are wonderful and others are lacking. It's not bad, but not all that good either. Sometimes it feels like a 6% stout with a 1/2 shot of bourbon in it. I had this beer on tap a few years ago and recall having similar feelings then, too. I think the base beer is really the weak link here.
No infection issues, but generally an unspectacular offering anyway.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2011 14:24:30 | More by Domingo

tito42

Missouri

4.55/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

100th Review. Served at O'Dell Brewery, today was the tapping for the 2011 edition of this brew.

A: Opaque, nearly black with a slight coffee hue. Cocoa head, nice lacing, and OK retention.

S: Musty oak barrels, chocolate, smoked barley.

T: Roasted barley and malt, chocolate milk, bourbon, brown sugar, and grassy hops. A lot going on here, and it all comes together beautifully.

M: Smooth and creamy, a bit chunky in the middle, a nice hops bitterness at the finish.

O: Wonderful beer. The brewery was really hopping in anticipation of GABF 2011. This is a very enjoyable imperial stout. I love the blend of flavors.

Serving type: on-tap

09-25-2011 06:52:47 | More by tito42

JackieTH

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

From notes, enjoyed at 2011 ABR.

'Odell Bourbon barrel stout, cask with coffee and cocoa nibs'

Poured absolutely pitch black, used motor oil, deep brown froth that clinged to the glass. Smell was bourbon wood and bakers chocolates, coffee, hints of vanilla pods and dark fruit.

Taste was semi-sweet chocolates, toffee, muted French roasted espresso, molasses, with harmony of delicious vanilla-bourbon wood characteristics throughout. Intense but well balanced. Heavy body, creamy, thick mouthfeel is just right. No hint of alcohol. Very drinkable, thoroughly enjoyable. Put this in bottles, please.

Serving type: cask

09-18-2011 19:55:31 | More by JackieTH

jdense

Oregon

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

Cork and caged bottle enjoyed as part of the Doctor's CBI Beer Tasting 8.13.11.

Quarter finger light brown head, minimal head and lacing, dark brown opaque body, no visible carbonation, appears almost flat. Big nose, the bourbon re vanilla and oak notes are pretty prevalent and give off some fairly boozy notes, a bit of cocoa nibs and very little hop presence. Taste feature much of the profiles of the aroma, good chocolate, cocoa nibs presence, vanilla to balance, some faint coffee notes and once again pretty boozy. Mouthfeel is full but slick, not much effervescence and no stickiness but once again almost cloying booziness, which should be expected at this ABV. I wonder if another year or three might have tamed some of the booziness. Tasty but pretty boozy.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2011 16:15:30 | More by jdense

brentk56

North Carolina

3.53/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Rather tawny looking for a stout with an auburn tinge amidst the darker liquid; the mocha head is impressive on the pour and though it fades quickly, it leaves a nice pattern behind

Smell: Rather fruity, with a black currant and caramel aspect on the nose along with the bourbon and barrel elements

Taste: Fruity flavors, up front, with the currants and caramel leading the way; the bourbon arrives by mid-palate; a building chocolate presence, after the swallow, though the fruity character dominates into the finish

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body with frothy carbonation and a bit of warmth in the gullet

Overall: Not sure whether this beer turned out as the brewer intended as the beer is lighter and fruitier than many comparable brews; there may well be some infection going on but it doesn't render the beer undrinkable; many are quick to identify bourbon barrel beers as infected when they take on bit of sour fruit character but that may well be a characteristic of the barrel

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2011 20:43:24 | More by brentk56

arizcards

Arizona

4.05/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Picked up a 750ml bottle from Total Wine in early December 2009 for $13.99.

Beer poured black as night with a brown bubbly head that is leaving lacing behind.

Nose is oaken bourbon barrel with hints of sweet mocha.

Taste is sweet, bourbon is blended nicely with hints of chocolate and roasted malts, coffee and hops not really present.

Mouthfeel is thin for the style and not overly smooth.

Overall this is a good beer but i have to say i expected a bit more given my past experiences with Odell. Alcohol/bourbon have relaxed quite a bit in the 1.5 years it has been sitting in my wine fridge.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2011 23:23:28 | More by arizcards

Vdubb86

Illinois

4/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in a plastic cup the way God intended

Thanks to TMoney2591 for uncorking this monster on DLD

This beer poured a really nice dark body with a sandy foam riding the surface. The aroma had much of the barrel notes, but it was really weak and hidden. The taste was solid. I loved the smooth chocolate mixed with the coffee like roast and the oak vanilla mixed in there to smooth it out. We definitely got one of the non-infected bottles. This was really easy drinking and went down nicely. While none of it's individual components were overwhelming, as a whole this was one damn fine stout and perhaps one of my favorite tastings of the day.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2011 23:37:27 | More by Vdubb86

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in a clear plastic cup.

Big thanks to therealnomayo for this bottle!

Figured I'd wait 'til I had people to share this with before opening it. Thankfully Dark Lord Day allows for just such an opportunity. It pours a dark black-sienna topped by a finger of dark tan foam. The nose comprises vanilla, caramel, bourbon, and light oak. I don't get much of the stout beneath, but the barrels come through loud and clear. The taste doesn't change all that much, though a light roasted malt character finds a way to make it through to my 'buds. Meanwhile, the barrels continue their rowdy shenanigans. The body is a solid medium, with a very light moderate carbonation and a lightly chewy feel. Overall, a solid barrel-aged stout, but I think the barrels' influence was a tad too powerful, o'ershadowing the stout-ness nearly completely. Still, these were admittedly tasty barrels, so the whole thing isn't a net loss.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2011 21:59:03 | More by TMoney2591

alpinebryant

Connecticut

3.73/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured a thick black with a fluffy and sticky tan head

Smell of wet bourbon, oak, milk cocoa, and a nice roasted malt presence.

Taste of a dark cocoa and milk chocolate mixture with a range of roasted malt flavors. Biscuit, chocolate malt , a boatload of bourbon, some aged oak and vanilla flavors.

Nitro like carbonation, extremely smooth. While the hype train hasnt hit this one like some other bourbon barreled stouts, it is very good , it just doesnt stand out in the ever growing Imperialized Stouts sea.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2011 22:09:14 | More by alpinebryant

glid02

Georgia

3.53/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle shared by Brad - much obliged!

Pours one shade from black with a half-finger tan head. The head recedes into a wispy layer on top leaving decent lacing.

Smells...well, infected. Light roasted malts with large amounts of tart dark fruits. Also present are very light hints of dark chocolate.

Thankfully it tastes better than it smells. Heavy roasted malt flavors kick things off and are joined quickly by semi-sweet chocolate and light molasses. Midway through the sip very slight amounts of oak flavors enter the fray. Slight tart dark fruits make an appearance near the end of the sip, fading out into a moderately bitter ending.

Mouthfeel is very good. It's got a heavy thickness with grainy carbonation.

Drinkability is OK. I didn't have a problem finishing my glass however I'm not sure about another.

Overall this beer obviously suffered due to the infection but I'm not so sure it would be all that great uninfected - a bit disappointing for a brewery I enjoy immensely and a beer for which I'd had high hopes. If you've got a bottle drink it now, it's not getting any better.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2011 01:25:07 | More by glid02

BeerAndBourbon

Ohio

3.88/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A. Pours black with a creamy one finger off-white head that maintains itself and leaves lots of residual lacing clinging to the glass.

S. Bourbon, oak, some chocolate, and other roasted malt. I seem to have gotten a more bourbon-forward bottle as the bourbon really sticks out on mine.

T. Dark chocolate, bitter dark roast, some oak tannins, and bourbon.

M. Fairly thick with a super creamy luscious carbonation.

D. The astringent oak tannins come out on this a bit too much. The alcohol flavor is a bit too strong on the tongue as well. I was expecting this to be infected so I'm happily surprised that it turned out well, but the base beer is a bit too dry and isn't quite as sweet as I'd like for a bourbon barrel stout.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2011 01:09:16 | More by BeerAndBourbon

projectflam86

Ohio

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

Got this through a trade with bonsreeb85. Chad, you rock dude!

A- Pours a pitch black color with a thin coffee colored head that leaves a bit of lacing.

S- Woah, bourbon soaked oak chips and bitter dark chocolate. This one is almost a year old but I can still pick out some alcohol in the nose.

T- Just like the nose, huge bourbon flavor with a nice dark chocolate bitterness. Some molasses, cocoa nibs and espresso in the finish. The alcohol is very subdued.

M- Smooth and creamy with low carbonation. The alcohol that was present in the nose did not show up in the flavor. The heat definitely died down and the rich chocolate and bourbon flavors really smoothed this out.

O- With a little bit of age, you could barely guess that this baby was over 10%. A truly awesome brew!

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2011 00:11:10 | More by projectflam86

jjjeremy

Minnesota

4.85/5  rDev +22.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

poured into a pint wheat beer glass
the appearance reminds me of the perferct espresso down to the carmel color head
the smell-aroma of slight milk chocolate,slight oak,and a faint bourban hint
the taste is exceptional!I am impressed by the mellow milk chocolate flavor,mixed with a delicious carmel taste mingling with vanilla along with a bitter goodness that does not make this as sweet as described.i do not taste bourban at all,but it may be that which balances this delihgtful discovery
mouthfeel-i could handle this all day!it is a creamfull coating that layers ones mouth with exceptional flavor and feel
overall-its my first review and i truly enjoyed this speciment of a brew-tis a strong beer but i think when enjoyed moderatly,one truly appreaciates what goes into the craft.side note-in minnesota paid 16.95 for a 1 pint 9.4 oz bottle.curious what others pay for perfection

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2011 22:58:30 | More by jjjeremy

JayS2629

Alabama

4.08/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Nice body on this. Creamy but not too thick. Dark brown, almost black. Thick, creamy off white head, nice retention and creamy walls of lace. The smell is of cocoa, milk chocolate, hints of coffee and some notes of oak. Taste has a slight burn and hint of soft oak, vanilla, and bourbon. Not overpowering bourbon taste though, just enough to add a faint burn and some sweet notes. Cocoa and roasted barley dominate with some nice toffee and caramel notes. Some earthy, grassy hints. Overall, very nice and easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

03-01-2011 04:09:32 | More by JayS2629

EgadBananas

Louisiana

3.33/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Dark dark brown, nearly black, finger of tan head that recedes to a film.

Chocolate, bourbon but it's faint. Light sweet roasted malts and some buttered popcorn.

Light chocolate, roasted malts, bourbon isn't too predominant but doesn't make itself know quite even either. Some dark fruits.

Kind of crisp. Carbonation seems a bit high. Creamy, but not too thick.

It had it's highs and it's lows. It's wasn't bad, but there's loads of better -bal stouts out there. Something seemed amiss with it so maybe I didn't experience it as intended...

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2011 00:32:01 | More by EgadBananas

drewba

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2010 bottle, that as far as I can tell, isn't infected. (the first bottle of 2010 I opened was)

A - Deep, dark mahogany that just barely let's light pass through and wears a thick, finger tan head on top for a bit. The head fades to a strong ring, a thin layer on top and splotchy lacing all around.

S - Really weak. Dull, stale caramel, oxidized roasted malt, rotten wood with a metallic afterthought. I would not have guessed that this was put in bourbon barrels.

T - So much chocolate; lots of semisweet chocolate, followed by some robust and bitter dark chocolate and slightly astringent cocoa. There is some caramel and toffee, throwing in some much needed sweetness in the middle, right before you get a full dose of the bourbon. This is providing a great mix of vanilla, soft and dry oak, a hint of cherry & butterscotch and more of that rich, bourbony chocolate. I'm finding the Makers Mark and I love it. Finishes dry while the bourbon lingers, solid.

M - Creamy, thickish, but not thick, yet satisfying. The carbonation is just a bit too high for me. It is prickly, which throws off the soft creaminess. The mouthfeel reminds me of cold-hot chocolate.

D - This is quite drinkable, I'm loving the mouthfeel and then letting it warm and really get those flavors imparted from the bourbon, really nicely done. The alcohol is hidden perfectly with no chest burn. This would be a great beer for someone who likes an understated bourbon barrel flavor. It's there, but it isn't in your face and lending to the overall flavor versus dominating it. I wouldn't recommend trying to get your hands on a bottle because not only did they recall all of it, there is, at least in my experience, a 50% chance of having an infected bottle.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2011 04:50:28 | More by drewba

corby112

Pennsylvania

1.6/5  rDev -59.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

750ml, 2009(?) vintage

Pours pitch black and completely opaque with a one finger frothy beige head that slowly fades into a lasting ring. Sporadic rings and spots of lacing are left behind.

Slightly tart and metallic smelling with hints of sweet boozy bourbon and earthy oak. Faint roasted malt underneath but this one is dominated by notes of infection and barrel character.

This beer is overly oxidized and pretty badly infected. Tight abrasive carbonation up front that lingers throughout into a sour metallic finish. Some of the intended flavors are evident(sweet boozy bourbon, oak and vanilla from the barrel as well as some dark, roasted malt notes) but the overwhelming vinegary metallic infected notes kill off almost everything pleasant about this beer. Only a few sips and then down the drain.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2011 08:58:29 | More by corby112

thatsfine

Arizona

3.95/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

10 oz pour into a snifter.

The appearance is black, black, black. The head is minimal but what is there is dark brown, which may have been a result of the pour. A thing ring of head remains at the top of the brew throughout the glass.

Bourbon smell comes first, naturally. After I dug deeper I found chocolate and roasted malts. A somewhat sweet smell but not nearly as sweet as other stouts.

The taste is quite bourbony and roasty but as it warms the coffee flavors become more evident and the brew becomes much smoother and pleasurable to drink. A nice brew.

This has a medium, dry finish that warms as well. The mouthfeel doesn't stand out as much as the rest of beer but it really doesn't concern me too much.

Definitely a sipper, but is something I wouldn't mind sipping on all night.

Serving type: on-tap

01-16-2011 03:58:24 | More by thatsfine