Bell's Bourbon Barrel Aged Batch 9000 - Bell's Brewery, Inc.

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On Tap at Varga Bar in Philadelphia, PA

Batch 9000 in Bourbon Barrels looks pretty much the same regular 9000 looked, a droppy black color with some faint brown spots near the edge of the glass. Off the spout some minimal off white bubbles sprang up and dissipated very quick, leaving nothing up top and nothing notching on the glass. Barrel 9000 also smells pretty similar to original 9000 with the addition of wet oak/wood, bourbon scents and faint vanilla. The original scent of the 9000 is still strong with light chocolate, tootsie roll, cream, grain, and a minimal hop scent, I guess that died off during it's stay in the barrels. Either way it's a bold smell with more alcohol than before bringing out a English old ale quality to itself. This is BIG BEER, it was big when 9000 1st came through and reigns true today. Big hits of molasses, chocolate, a huge grain bill, vanilla/oak, licorice and some nice bourbon taste coming through in the end with some burn on the way down, this is about 15% after all. The body is thick and the carb is minimal off the tap which is surprising, but than again, this is 15% There is some heat and some sting on the way down, the heat is there and in scope, not hidden in the least bit. If you like boozy big beer, this one is for you. If you like small portions of boozy big beer(like me) this one is good for about 6oz or so and than losses it's luster. A Great beer, just not one I would be interested to make a session out of. If I could score a bottle of this, which is impossible after looking at the trade forums, I would share it with as many people I could find. 25oz's of this would be a chore and a suicide mission in one.

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2012 21:19:10 | More by onix1agr

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