Oak-Aged Backburner (Imperial Barley Wine Style Ale) - Southern Tier Brewing Company

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4.03/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Poured from tap into snifter at tap and mallet Rochester ny. Pours a hazy burnt orange with nice lacing. Sweet malty syrup and an almost citrus hop aroma. Taste is somewhat mild toffe at first but finishes with a big toffee caramel hop flavor with a mild vanilla woody oak. Its easy to drink....really easy but hits hard. Its better as it warms. Nice barleywine.

Serving type: on-tap

04-24-2013 23:26:27 | More by DrinkSlurm

TheBrewo

Michigan

3.55/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This was served from the tap at Tap and Mallet in Rochester, NY into a Great Lakes Brewing snifter. The brew glowed a golden ruby red, holding a two finger tan head of tight bubbles. This left spotty froth around the glass as it went slowly away. Carbonation appeared light, and no haze or sediment was noted. The nose blows your socks off!! There was the deepest butter and oak, mixing and flourishing with freshness and robustness. It was musky, yet warming and spicy. There was maple syrupy sugars and thickness, and light booze to the back. Our first impression was that it was boozy and buttery, but not nearly as good as the nose. The flavoring opened with light caramel grains and syrupy sweetness. The booze cut everything, moving to the peak with unforgiving fusel bite. Black pepper, oak, paler malts, and faint honey flowed on the back. The booze really killed a lot of any remaining flavoring, leaving booze, wood and caramel to the very end. The aftertaste rumbled on with vodka, nail polish, plastic phenols, and more even oaky musk. The body was thinner than expected, with medium carbonation. There was light coating, but ultimately fusel bite to suck the palate bone dry. There was nice slurp and smack, but thin on froth or cream. The abv was appropriate, and the beer was very slow drinking.

Overall, by far the best thing about this brew was the nose. This is the closest nose we’ve found to be nearly as oaky and smooth as the Bourbon County series. The rest of the tasting falls from there drastically. The flavoring is hugely boozy throughout, with fusel fire burning away the rest of the palate, and decimating all flavor. The feel was also thinner than expected, again, taking away from the experience.

Serving type: on-tap

08-29-2012 20:33:00 | More by TheBrewo

StaveHooks

Oklahoma

2.93/5  rDev -27.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

On tap at Southern Tier brewery.

A - Poured a mahogany brown with a thin cream cap. Very pretty beer.

S - Lots of oak, buttery caramel, vanilla, rich candy toffee, burnt raisins, licorice, alcohol.

T - Super dense malt, oak was very heavy, vanilla, burnt brown sugar, candy toffee, burnt raisins, pine and hints of citrus.

M - Full body, creamy feel, low carbonation, warming.

This beer is either way too young or just doesn't work. Very raw and powerful flavors all around. Nothing seemed to mesh well. I'd like to try a bottled version with some time on it.

Serving type: on-tap

08-28-2012 23:38:14 | More by StaveHooks

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.1/5  rDev -23.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a clean orange-ish to amber color with a light tan head. In the aroma, mellow bourbon, small dark fruits, and alcohol. In the taste, alcohol to oaky bourbon, dark fruit, and licorice. An alcohol bite and a medium bodied mouthfeel, with a small dry bourbon, vanilla, and alcohol like aftertaste. Too big, like a shot inside a barleywine. It's just too much for me.

Serving type: on-tap

07-21-2012 14:51:58 | More by OWSLEY069

ThickNStout

Georgia

4.6/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the brewery. Served in a goblet. 

A- deep chestnut hued red brown. Thin layer of cream head. Nice lace. 

S- citrus and floral hops, sugar, vanilla. 

T- so smooth! Big hops but smoothed out by the oak. Caramel, biscuity malt, vanilla. Only hints of the near 10% abv. Long smooth sweet aftertaste. 

M- medium to full feel. Nice dose of carbonation that makes the flavors tingle. 

O- one of my favorite barleywines that I've tried. Robustly hopped and so smooth with the nice blended flavors of oak. Excellent and highly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

06-09-2012 23:09:19 | More by ThickNStout

weeare138

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appears a dense mahogany with a small white cap that slowly fades into a gentle cap. Tiny speckles of lacing are left around the glass.
Smell is of dense caramel, fruit, vanilla, oak, whiskey, peaches, pineapple...sheer sweetness.
Taste is of the aromas with a candy sweetness that lingers with heat.
Mouthfeel is full bodied, chewy, sweet, and hot.

Serving type: on-tap

04-13-2012 23:58:06 | More by weeare138

merc7186

New York

4.1/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this beer on tap at The Ruck in Troy NY, poured into a pint glass.
(reviewed from notes on 3/26)

A: Deep Amber Hue, Passes Some Light, Mild Brown Head, Decent Lacing

S: Caramel, Vanilla, Raisins, Sweet Malts

T: Caramel, Raisins, Sweet Malts,

M: Decent Carbonation, Medium Bodied, Sweet

Overall, a nice barleywine that isnt over powering and the oak aging takes some of the sweetness away and mellows it out.

Serving type: on-tap

03-29-2012 13:14:41 | More by merc7186

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.03/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

It never gets old, the effect that oak has on alcoholic beverages. Whether it's bourbon, scotch, wine, or beer- the maturity and control that the wood has over the beverage is undeniable and regal.

Pouring with a bright garnet hue, the beer shows surprising clarity as the carbonation penetrates the liquid en route to build a dense and creamy light tan, almost yellowish head. The barley-stained foam laces the glass and retains with confidence and masculinity.

The full spectrum of ale aromas rise from the glass with individual scents of molasses and toast, plumbs and raisins, malt and grain, citrus and pine, rum and oak... the complementary notes go on and on with balance, strength, and most importantly void of off-character.

Much the same can be said for flavor as the plethora of taste begin as caramel, molasses, malty sweetness, and medium toast. More fruity esters of plumbs, grapes, dates, figs, prunes, raisins, and cherries carry the sweetness across mid palate and begin to weave into the rummy alcohol taste. A balance of hops deliver notes of grapefruit, pine resin, and grassy elements, again at mid palate and fuel a medium bitterness in finish to complement the receding malty-dry taste.

Very full flavored with creamy and supple carbonation that's mouth coating, robust, and strongly textured. The beer remains creamy and full until deep into finish where the hop bitterness, alcohol warmth, and toasty-dryness closes the taste with a malty, semi-dry texture.

This oaked version of Backburner remains well balanced between malt and hops for a perfect after dinner substitute to port wines or sherries. The complexity of oak gives an overall woodish taste and powdery texture but also amplify the caramel, vanillans, and char while rounding off the rougher edges of grassy and sharp citrusy hops.

Serving type: on-tap

03-19-2012 17:15:12 | More by BEERchitect

barczar

Kentucky

3.73/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear deep amber with garnet highlights and a quarter inch cream colored head that dissipates slowly, leaving a ring around the rim.

Aroma is sweet malt, caramel, booze, and a but ifsoft grapefruit. There's a slight hint of vanilla and pine.

The flavor is somewhat dominated by booze, with a backbone of fairly sweet caramel malt and a hint of vanilla. Citrus hop is present throughout. There's a hint of oak at the slightly bitter finish.

Body is moderate, with fairly low carbonation, ending with alcohol warmth.

Overall, a pretty tasty beer. Alcohol is definitely evident. I expected a little more hop presence for the style.

Serving type: on-tap

03-19-2012 00:53:22 | More by barczar

n2185

North Carolina

4/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 2 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: pours a clear copper with barely any off-white head that almost completely vanishes with no lacing.

S: caramel and vanilla at first followed by woody oak notes. There is also a strong aroma of sweet peaches and orange. Light alcohol aroma on the finish. Smells quite good.

T: again, caramel and vanilla at first with some woody flavors. Bubblegum and peach flavors come through mear the finish with a light alcohol burn.

M: medium-thick carbonation with mid-low carbonation, this beer just avoids being too sticky sweet.

O: a good beer, overall. I really like the peach aromas, though I'm not for sure if they're intended or not. Still, it's not cloyingly sweet like many Southern Tier beers.

Serving type: on-tap

03-02-2012 23:45:01 | More by n2185

Bierguy5

Ohio

4.43/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at South Park Tavern. Clear mahogany, with some ruby edges. White head disappears immediately, but leaves a few spots of lace.

Great oak aroma, dark candied fruits. Figs and plums. Caramel malt as well. Great nose.

Some darker fruits and figs up front. Huge malt character, without a great deal of sweetness. Nice oak character with drying tannin, but manages to not be overwhelming.

Medium body, with lower carbonation. Some warmth from alcohol. Great oak character. Awesome beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-25-2012 02:10:28 | More by Bierguy5

nesarebad

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

TIme to rev up the old review machine:

Oak Aged-Back Burner; 22 oz bottle; Bottled on 2/28/13; served at 42-45F in my new Firestone Walker Barrelworks Teku:

A - Poors a beautiful clear ruby with a tea brown tint, 1 finger head that clings to the glass as vibrant lacing.

S - The nose is not intense or over powering. There are hints of dark fruit, leather, smoke, and herbal tones from the dry hops. Not really getting any hint of the oak aging in the smell. I would say the smell is just somewhat flat.

T - Upfront, you call tell that there are some complex flavors coming together. Hops, not overly bitter but very fresh at this point. A nice malt balance. Slightly medicinal...and...not much oak.

M - Smooth, vibrant, very fresh. Not cloying or viscous, definitely a drinkable barley wine.

O - A well crafted American Barley Wine. Hits the mark with a nice hop bill that balances the sweetness of the malt. It is what you would expect. The kicker though, is you are not getting much of the oak in the flavor. Perhaps the oak is working in the background to balance out the often assertive flavors in the style. Would like to see how this one works out with age and will definitely consider getting more if it is available.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2013 03:47:45 | More by nesarebad

Etan

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

22oz into a wine glass.

A: Pours out an amber-brown with a small light beige head.

S: Brown sugar, molasses, light oxidation, leafy, overripe citrus. A bit sweet.

T: Brown bread, toffee, a little bit of pleasantly dry oak character, light clementine and hop bitterness.

M: Medium-bodied, light carbonation.

O: This is actually pretty nice. The oak tempers the sweetness a bit, and the hop character isn't astringent or overbearing.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 02:21:40 | More by Etan

jmdrpi

Pennsylvania

4.04/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle, no date.

appears a deep brown with brilliant red highlights. nice thick off-white head. decent retention and lacing. rich boozy aroma. spicy, herbal, wood. earthy hops, complex. taste has a good balance of caramel malt, bitter hops, and slight alcohol burn. a bit syrupy, coats the tongue, mild carbonation, which works. nice beers to slowly sip and enjoy. opens up and is quite nice as it warms.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 05:14:57 | More by jmdrpi

MadScientist

New York

4.14/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: Medium copper with a slight haze, I'm pretty sure this was dry hoped hence the haze. The head doesn't get very big but last for a long time with the foam being made of a mix of mostly cream bubbles with some large soapy bubbles that are tan in color. The crown has small blisters indicating that it is not a fresh bottle, have just bought it last week I'm guessing it's a bottle from last year.

S: A moderately-strong, rich malt aroma that has malt sweetness, some ripe cherries, a bit of and caramel. The oak notes are moderate bringing some cinnamon to nose. There is a bit of dark stone fruit at moderately light levels. Maybe this is last years bottle as the hops aroma is pretty low, just a faint citrus. A reasonable amount of floral alcohol aroma as well.

T: The malt flavor is strong and up front bringing a fair amount of sweetness but it is quickly balanced by a strong hops bitterness. The malt bring flavors of caramel, plums and nectarines with a moderately-light cocoa showing up mid-way into the flavor. The hops are again on the low side with a nondescript citrus hops flavor like an aged beer. Light citrus hops flavor but a moderately strong hops bitterness. Having a moderate oak flavor that only underlines the Barleywine flavor with some cinnamon and a faint coconut flavor. The balance of the beer is somewhat bitter while the finish is medium. The aftertaste is of hops bitterness, some caramel malt sweetness and the oak showing a bit more as the other flavors fade.

M: Medium-full bodied with a moderate level of carbonation. This one reminds you that it a sipping beer from the good amount of warmth from the alcohol from the palate to throat to the belly.

O: A fairly sweet beer that's got a good amount of hops bitterness with a moderate amount of oak character. I didn't get much in the way of an other barrel character like like it was a wine or whiskey barrel that it was aged in and overall I'd like a bit more oak character in there. I'd had this fresh before, like out bright tank 13 day after brewing fresh along with from the store where it's had a solid amount of hops flavor and aroma which is awesome if not a bit agressive. Aged this beer has mellowed but I don't see it become an elegant after dinner beer like other Barleywine. Personally I prefer this one young and full of hops character but this still help ease the pain of a long work week just fine.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 00:27:30 | More by MadScientist

Bung

North Carolina

4.05/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz. Into Founders snifter. Dark brownish red pour. Thin layer of white on top.

Aroma, toffee like maltyness, quite a bit of herbal and red fruity hops.

Taste, some herbal and piney hops initially. Large brown sugar, caramel and toffee follows. Fig. Some woodiness, peat, cocoa even.
Time has been kind to this, making it somewhere in between an American and English Barleywine.

Med-full body, just enough carbonation. Coats well, not too sticky. Alcohol is very well hidden.
Overall very good.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 03:04:43 | More by Bung

Lognar

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

My first barleywine, so I'm judging this against my experiences with IPA, stouts, and BA stouts.

A -Pours a reddish/copper. White/tan half finger head faded quickly.

S - Not as big as I expected. Mostly roast and sweetness with a bit of oak in the background.

T - Sweet. Definitely a sweet brew. Smooth malt on the front end. The hoppiness is there on the finish. As it warms, fruit, woodiness, and a bit of bourbonish flavor come through. Booziness came with the finish, but not much burn. More burn as it warmed.

M - Smooth. Really coats the mouth nicely. Thinner than I expected, but then again I know not what to expect from the style.

O - Definitely a sipper. Drank it a bit too fast and it had my floating a bit. As for a first foray into barleywines - I enjoyed it a lot. A good amount of sweetness and well balanced. Bottled date was from April, so I'm willing to bet 9 months gave it time to blend.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2013 05:37:48 | More by Lognar

mjpolzin

Wisconsin

3.85/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I am not a fan of hoppy barleywines...and this was hoppy...but that said, it was still a very tasty beer but not amongst my favorite barleywines because I look for a more malt forward beer when drinking something out of this style.

As the beer warmed, there were some malt and fruit characters that came through. One thing I noticed missing in this beer was the oak taste, since this was supposedly aged in oak barrels.

Overall this was solid beer but with some many other barleywines out there that I like better, I probably won't buy it anytime soon again.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 03:33:50 | More by mjpolzin

RDAdams

Maryland

3.88/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a mahogany brown with ruby highlights and a thin, lingering, tan head.

S: WoW! I was overwhelmed, first by the maple syrup, then by the caramel, then by the oak, and finally by the alcohol. It has a very sweet, thick, high octane aroma with hints of toffee, vanilla, and dark fruit plus citrus & floral hops. I am in love.

T: The label says to serve at 42°F. Do so as its taste is very affect by temperature. Regardless of temperature, it is cloyingly sweet and over-oaked. At lower temperatures, the hops and the alcohol provide a balance that is otherwise lacking. Also when it is warmer, it lack the clean finish and the fruity aftertaste that the brewer intended.

M: Mouthfeel too depends on temperature. Warmer means a thinner body and over carbonation.

O: Obviously the answer is "It depends on the temperature."

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 22:16:29 | More by RDAdams

SawDog505

New Hampshire

3.75/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a Lost Abbey tulip, bottled 2/15/12. Pours a orange red, with a one inch off white head, that leaves some solid lace. Smell is hard candy, vanilla, dark fruit, biscuit, carmel, grapefruit, and brown sugar. Taste is really well balanced, lots of vanilla, carmel, burnt brown sugar, and sweet grapefruit in the finish. Body is thinner than expected, the amount of carbonation you would expect, not really dry, and drinkable for its heft. This is a good and different tasting barleywine.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2012 03:34:04 | More by SawDog505

tut2528

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

poured into a FFF teku

A: pours a dark ruby color, almost brown. there is also some transparency and when held up directly to the light the ruby really comes out. there was very minimal head formation and I feel that the 1/2 fingers worth that did form was more forced carbonation. the edge of the glass does have a slight film

S: oak and toffee really sweeten this one up, and is complemented by vanilla, alcohol soaked figs. I also pick up on some slight grassy hops. there also seems to be a peppery spice present as well. quite complex, and its all in a nice balance.

T: the hops make there presence known more here than in the nose. still get the big oaky, toffee aspects, along with barley, brown sugar, pepper spice, alcohol, figs, and sweet vanilla finish. again, very nice complexity.

M: medium bodied, but on a the lighter side of medium. it leaves a big sweet and sugary note on the palate well after the finish, with a slight touch of at the back. wish this was a bit more viscous, but still nice.

O: its a pretty nice all around BW. really enjoy the oak aged aspects, along with the big vanilla. like BW's it has the complexity to make this one intriguing and enjoyable. Solid.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2012 02:17:10 | More by tut2528

weeheavybutdieting

Georgia

4.38/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22 oz Bomber from Ale Yeah, Roswell GA.

Quick disclaimer: I am a softee for Quads, Tripels and Barleywines. Yes totally different, but that is my deal...

A: Got all of the skills needed for a good BW. Has a nice dark yet golden look, enough not to see through but transparent enough to not scare you away. Surprisingly carbonated along the lines of a champagne. Very light lacing left over.

S: You know it is a sweet barley wine. Nice caramel notes with just a hint of that oak aged differentiator.

T: Yes. No really. It is exactly what I want out of a barley wine. The front end has the caramelicious taste and coating of the tongue. Then comes just enough hops to wipe the palate. Lastly I am left with just the right amount of sweet and sticky requiring me to take yet another sip.

M: Again, just what the style asked for. Deep enough to coat but not so heavy to cover up the nuances of the barrel aged notes.

O: I am a big Southern Tier fan, they just do it right. I am a big Barley Wine fan. This is a beer that meets the style and lives up to the Southern Tier level of quality and uniqueness.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 01:46:09 | More by weeheavybutdieting

beerdrifter

Germany

4.43/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

My sister picked this up for me at the brewery. Beautiful clear mahogany pour with two finger off-white head with decent retention and great lacing. Huge sweet oaky nose with hints of caramel, butterscotch candy, booze, vanilla, and toffee. The taste is complex and the oak is once again the star. Nicely complemented with hints of caramel, butter, brown sugar, vanilla, dark fruit (specifically figs), toffee, and just a touch of orange zest, licorice, and coconut. The mouthfeel is slightly syrupy but surprisingly smooth with a subtle bitterness and alcohol warming on the finish. With that said, it's really pretty drinkable for a 9.6% ABV beer! Had this on tap at the brewery earlier this year and it's even smoother and more drinkable than the bottle version. Probably my favorite Barley Wine...

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2012 21:41:33 | More by beerdrifter

BasterdInABasket

Wisconsin

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

22 oz. bottle, DOB 2/15/12 (8 mo. old) poured into Tulip glass
A- Mohogany-colored with red highlights, Very Hazy, About 1.5 finger off-white head, little retention, some spotted, whispy lacing
S- Oak, Caramel malts, dark fruit, Vanilla, sweetness, slight hoppiness, alcohol, (something strange here: get some citrus smelling straight from the bottle but none really from glass, hmm..)
T- Tastes similar to nose, The oak is present throughout but not overpowering, some booziness, overall good not great flavors
M- Full, Could be bigger, Pretty Smooth and a little creaminess, coats the mouth some
O- Nothing really jumps out to me in this beer but overall its solid. Have had better barleywines for sure but this is a worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2012 05:00:29 | More by BasterdInABasket

jrenihan

Ontario (Canada)

3.95/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Beer is a very dark amber, with a moderately sized beige head. Good lacing, OK retention.

Lots of oak in the nose, along with caramel malt, vanilla, some dry dark fruit. Nice smell, the oak is strong but blends in well.

Taste consists of caramel, oak, raisin, vanilla. Some bitterness from the hops, and perhaps a bit of grass and citrus peaking through the rest of the beer. The hope and the barrel leave the beer not as sweet as it probably would be otherwise (which I think would be quite a bit, given how my mouth is getting dried out).

Beer is full bodied, but a little thinner than expected. Moderate carbonation. Dries out the mouth in a big way.

Overall, pretty good. Glad to have tried it.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 18:09:54 | More by jrenihan