Bishop's Barrel 1 - Saint Arnold Brewing Company

Alieniloquium

Florida

3.2/5  rDev -23.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle poured into a snifter.

Appearance - Not quite black. No real head. Pretty transparent. Wispy surface but not much else.

Smell - Nutty and lots of caramel. Some roast. Some bourbon. Molasses.

Taste - Just a bit of sweetness up front. Nutty caramel. Light chocolate. Some bourbon. Not much barrel character. Odd nutty caramel flavor.

Mouthfeel - Dry and medium body. Not too sweet.

Overall - Poor beer came after Grey Monday. Never gonna live up. This has a weird nutty flavor. Maybe I'd like it better in the early evening.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 03:14:53 | More by Alieniloquium

JohnBender

Texas

3.25/5  rDev -22.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A- Pitch black, little to no head.
S- Boozy boozy boozy. A tiny bit of cocoa nibs come through.
T- Tastes hot. Like an old DR with half a shot of Bourbon. Too Much, needs to be aged.
M- Much thinner than expected. Light carbonation.
O- Needs a year or more of additional aging. Hopefully BB2 will be more drinkable upon release.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2012 15:04:21 | More by JohnBender

BeerHunter76

Texas

3.38/5  rDev -19.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I tried this one in a bottle at a bottle share with friends and I was not impressed. We poured it from a bottle and it looked and smelled like it was going to be as good as expected, but no dice. The look was that of a robust stout with a thin tan head and the aroma was instantly noticable bourbon. There was a faint hint of vanilla that quickly faded. However, the taste was more of a thin, raisiny porter not a robust stout as I have remembered from earlier versions of the whiskey stout. It definitely has a cocoa flavor as it warms, though. The mouthfeel was definitely bourbo and it goes down easily, leaving a slight aftertaste with bits of the bourbon. To me it did not resemble the Tatanka stout they used in earlier versions that seemed thicker, and got me started on some whiskey barrel brews. I had high hopes for this, and maybe I need one more to change my mind, but from what I tasted I left feeling a bit let down.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 19:23:04 | More by BeerHunter76

Mora2000

Texas

3.75/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle at the Holy Grail Pub in Plano.

The beer pours a dark brown color with a khaki head. The aroma has a lot of whiskey notes, as well as some roasted malt and oak. The flavor is boozy chocolate and roasted malt up front, with some whiskey, maple, oak and vanilla notes in the background. You can get notes from both the base stout as well as the barrel aging. My only complaint is the mouthfeel, which is too thin for my liking. Medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 02:16:33 | More by Mora2000

EgadBananas

Louisiana

3.8/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours nearly black, some brown edges. Tan finger of head with a foamy cap. Nice bourbon barrel aroma, with oak, vanilla and caramel. Slight chocolate and coffee on the nose. Taste is a little boozy, with vanilla and oak, and touches of chocolate.

The feel is a little thin, but good. Creamy.

Interesting, tasty and I'm stoked st Arnold is doing this barrel project

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 20:03:35 | More by EgadBananas

PhatAtUT

Texas

3.9/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: drinking in a dimly lit bar, but basically looks like an imperial stout. black with a thin tan head

S: at first whiff it smelled like a shot of whiskey. mellowed out some after a couple of minutes. get vanilla and a little cocoa.

T: the whiskey is definitely very upfront. doesn't really come off as particularly "hot", but there is certainly a very obvious whiskey flavor. get a hint of vanilla and milk chocolate. obviously some roasted malts. it's pretty tasty actually, but the whiskey verges on dominating the palate. a little too much barrel characteristic.

M: mouthfeel is fine. very early reviews I saw said too thin, but I didn't find that to be the case. it's not thick and chewy, but I don't find it to be too thin as to take away from the beer.

O: I enjoyed it. it does taste a little young and I could see it improving a little. wouldn't put this in a class with the best BA stouts I've had, but it's a tasty beer and i would certainly drink again

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 00:49:36 | More by PhatAtUT

inlimbo77

Delaware

3.95/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz, Nov. 2012
Hunahpu's snifter

A: Pours a really deep dark brown. I do get some light through edges. Reddish hues. Initially a pretty good head for a big stout, half finger light tan head. Faded quick to a ring of tan and thin layer in top. Getting some alcohol legs.

S: Getting that bourbon fresh in the nose. Nice rich vanilla. Underneath, some light hints of dark chocolate. Not getting coffee or dark fruits, but a little cold.

T: On the sip, first thing I notice: thinner than I would like. Wish there was more body. Up front, you get some dark chocolate bitterness. Some vanilla. Some caramel and light toffee. Finish has some tannic dryness. Lingering wood flavor.

M: It's a big medium. Wish it was a little thicker and fuller. Mildly over carbed. Prickly.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 16:25:39 | More by inlimbo77

Cambo04

3.98/5  rDev -5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The appearance is of dark cola with very little head.
The nose rings with vanilla and sweet bourbon, hence the barrels.
In the mouth it's extremely carbonated and ocerwhelmingly bourbon tasting. You better like whiskey if your gonna try this beer. It's huge!
12.1% ABV

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2012 23:36:50 | More by Cambo04

champ103

Texas

4.03/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Have had several bottles over the last week at various places in Houston.

A: Pours a dark brown, nearly black color. A one finger tan head forms, and recedes quickly. Light lace is left behind.
S: The barrel is very apparent, and very well incorporated. Wood/oak and vanilla is up front at first. Molasses, and liquorish. Bitter chocolate in the finish. The barrels are awesome in the nose.
T: Follows the nose. Plenty of wood/oak and vanilla. Light chocolate, and even some spices like cinnamon and ginger. Light molasses as well.
M/D: A medium body and carbonation. Not viscous at all. Which I like, though I wish for just a bit more body. Very easy and enjoyable to drink. A good sipping beer.

Overall, I really enjoy what the barrels add. Not that complex, but well integrated and very enjoyable. Something that I would recommend.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 02:32:21 | More by champ103

SavvyStudent

Texas

4.18/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Nothing out of the ordinary here with a slight head and overall dark appearance.

S: Right from the nose you pick-up the unique punch that this beer has to offer. The bourbon scent is very prominent with an OK back-end that was a little sour for me

T: The taste is where this beer really stands out: The most prominent Bourbon flavor profile to any beer I have ever tasted with a little burn at the end similar to drinking the liquor. There is also some hints of vanilla and dark chochlate that compliment it nicely.

M: A little on the fence as it was neither thick nor clean. Some bitterness as others have described below but it is hard to notice past the flavor.

O: If you get the chance to find this little beer try it. It is tricky to track down but the unique punch of bourbon is a must have if you are into the new trend of barreled beers.

Serving: Bottle

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 04:00:22 | More by SavvyStudent

Bluestar

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Found a bottle at Whip In on my way into Austin. Nice surprise to start my weekend trip...

Poured from a bottle into a whiskey tumbler at the advice/persistance of the bar staff. I asked for a tulip, but they told me this was the way to go, so I yielded...

Colour is a pitch black (this may have been due to the darkness of the bar), with a thin, tan head. Swrilled to develop a head - this quickly dissipated leaving little to no lacing.

Aroma is awesome. I am a big fan of the Woodford Reserve and this beer stinks of it. If you are a fan of this bourbon whiskey you will recognize immediately that's where the barrels must have come from. There are also some dark roasted malt and chocolate notes in the background.

Taste - here again the bourbon whiskey dominates the taste. The base malt is eerily similar to devine reserve #5 - which it assume it most likely is given that SA said they put this in the barrel in '05. Also some roasted malt taste in the background. It is apparent how boozy this beer is when it hits the stomach... an immediate alcohol warming feeling will creep out from there.

Mouthfeel is smooth, with minimal carbonation. Nothing to write home about, but very nice.

Overall a very enjoyable beer. Wish I could get a couple more bottles to hang onto, but i'm told it's not supposed to leave the establishment it's sold at... :(.... i feel that another year or 2 in the bottle and you would see improvement on what is already a great beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2012 19:35:57 | More by Bluestar

dcloeren

Texas

4.43/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this one at Luke's Ice House on election night.

Pours a dark coffee black with ruby edges. The head is sucked down under the weight if the abv. Thin ring stays for the remainder of my beer.

The aroma is heavenly! Woodford Reserve slaps me across the face with oaky notes, rich vanilla, roasted malt and chocolate.

The taste follows the nose but is a tad under the awesomeness of the aroma. This beer is mighty tasty. Great bourbon notes dominate followed by oak and vanilla. Roasted malt and chocolate are present in the background.

The mouthfeel is the only weakness of this stout. A tad thin with a little too much carbonation. It's not the worst thing that could happen to this beer though. It keeps it easy drinking and hides the alcohol. I would like for this to be thicker and have a higher viscosity but it's not bad enough to bother me.

Overall, I got to give it up to Saint Arnold's. Not the best BBA Stout but it was a damn find beer. These guys keep on comin with new stuff(minus DR12) and are moving in the right direction. Worth seeking out!

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 00:28:15 | More by dcloeren

Dajtai007

Texas

4.45/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had this a few times and I enjoyed it every time. Not as thick as one would think for a BA RIS, but its delicious. The smell of this beer is amazing, sweet bourbon and vanilla. You can taste and smell the quality of the barrel (Woodford Reserve). I think the boys at SA are doing things right with their first installment of Bishops Barrel. Only if I can land a bottle or two more for the cellar.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2012 15:08:25 | More by Dajtai007

genitempo

Texas

4.55/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Poured by the bartender from bottle to snifter. Pours nicely, dark black body with a hint of caramel where the light hits the stem. Minimal, beige head, with a lace that dissipates almost immediately.

S - Booze are in the nose, but more of a comforting, rich whiskey smell. A little chocolate, as well.

T - Very complex spices hit the tongue immediately, with a finish of chocolate and subtle whiskey and dark fruits. The booze are well-hidden, considering the beer was touting 9.1% prior to being barreled. The owner tweeted that the beer finished at around 12% prior to bottling. You would never be able to detect it.

MF - Not as syrupy as one would expect, but still carried some weight. Minimal carbonation.

O - I was lucky enough to try this beer in Cedar Park at The Dig Pub. They received 24 bottles, and were only selling 12. Very impressive. As far as Texas beers go, it seems like St. Arnold is just taking over 2012.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2012 04:00:43 | More by genitempo

bobbrew

Washington

4.7/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I hate to say this about a Texas beer but this beer is amazing! It's pushing the envelope of anything ever brewed. Hard to recognize as a RIP. It's a mouthful of plums and figs but soft and smooth. No edges on this brew. If you're into savoring, this will not be surpassed. I'm not sure what Thomas Hardy has been shooting for but 30 years of drinking everything they have brewed I think I've finally found it. Liquid mama. A first and hopefully not the last. This is what decades of beer exploration can come to. A Mother load of indescribable flavor.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 04:23:35 | More by bobbrew

cosmicevan

New York

4.73/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

massive thanks goes out to cfh64 for surprising me with this gem. enjoyed from my eclipse sinfter.

a - brew poured a watery black with a thin fizzy head that was gone quick leaving a ring of bubbles around the surface clinging the sides of the glass and a few spotty bubble islands on the surface as well. the bottom of the cap says "Happy Holidays" and with the weekend around the corner, that's holiday enough for me.

s - HEY NOW! super rich and decadent chocolate. bourbon soaked wood. some vanilla. really balanced, but everything is turned up to the max. thick and lush.

t - HOLY CRAP! hello lover...where have you been all my life? this beer is perfect for what i look for in a barrel aged stout. booze soaked chocolate but not too hot

m - extremely drinkable. fairly light for such a big and heavy beer, but definitely on the full bodied side of the spectrum. a tad fizzy. leaves a sheen of happiness in my mouth as it goes down the hatch.

o - overall, this was great. i would love to have this again. i had not heard of this until it appeared in a surprise box (yep, that's brad for ya...), looked interesting but i had no idea. this is one of those hiding gems that everyone is always looking for. really well done.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2013 04:25:12 | More by cosmicevan

Lelia

Texas

4.75/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Rich, smooth Russian Imperial Stout with a hint of the bourbon barrel finish - Woodford Reserve, I heard. Creamy, slightly caramel head. Flavor continues to open up as it warms and the complexity is incredibly well balanced. Top notch offering from Saint Arnold!

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2012 04:36:57 | More by Lelia

Ford

Texas

4.83/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle poured into a pint glass.

Wow. This beer was pretty hard to get but did not disappoint. The first by Saint Arnold in this series of limited releases.

Plenty of bourbon, which is the point of the bourbon barrel.. but plenty of chocolate and caramel in there... the base Imperial Stout seems really good.

Up there with BB Hellfighter from Karbach to me... another great beer out of Houston. Would love for this one to be year round...

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 03:29:11 | More by Ford

beerborn

Michigan

4.85/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

First beer review, here it goes!

A: Pours a deep/dark brown, not quite what I would consider black (although could just be the brightly sunlit room I am in). The head is a typical pour, but very inviting. Not quite sure yet but I believe I saw some light sediment leave the bottle at the end-wasn't expecting that.

S: Has that great Bourbon smell to it. Its strong, but not boozy to the point it burns your nostrils. Could be noticing faint hints of the molasses it was brewed with, although that may just be a characteristic of the bourbon as well.

T: Truly remarkable in my opinion. The bourbon does what it should and supports the beer remarkably. Their is a strong presence from the bourbon barrels, but it leaves out that boozy throat burn other bourbon barrel-aged beers leave you with. Some slight hints of molasses do give it a "dark sweetness" to it, not sugary per say, but makes it enjoyable.

M: There is a good mouthfeel to this beer. It sits good on the tongue and seems to turn almost foamy in your mouth, leaving a good bourbon aftertaste to it as it slides down your throat.

O: This beer reminds me of a more drinkable Backwoods Bastard. The base beer has its own flavor profile that comes first, followed by a considerable but not overpowering amount of rich bourbon. I wish this was sold in 22oz and that I had more than one so I could note the change over time. Hands down a top beer for me.

Cheers

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 20:59:23 | More by beerborn