Bourbon Barrel Aged Cowabunga Porter - Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant

oline73

Maryland

3.1/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

I had this on nitro-tap at the Lancaster brewpub.

Appearance: Pours black with hardly any light coming through at the edge. There is a thick creamy dark head, the nitro-pour makes this beer look great. A finger of head remains.

Smell: There is a lot of bourbon and very little else. I can pick up some sweet roast as well. Smells a bit hot.

Taste: Again, the bourbon crushed everything else. I like bourbon flavor in my beer, but this doesn't allow for much else to come through. There is some roast, dark chocolate, and vanilla in the finish as the beer warms.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with very smooth carbonation. The finish is dry.

Overall: The bourbon took over a bit too much here. The rest of the flavors seemed to be nice, but I had a hard time finding them. I'd be interested in trying the non BA version.

Serving type: nitro-tap

04-19-2011 20:12:06 | More by oline73

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on-tap at the Lancaster IH location.

A: The porter arrives with a fleeting darkness, deep brown (black from afar) that betrays lighter notes on close inspection. A small head, less than half a finger, is along for the ride.

S: Mild bourbon, sweet with vanilla and coconut, lingers just below the roasted porter body. I've had bad experiences with IH Lancaster barrel-aged beers but this one transcends the lot, a treacly sweet brew with sufficient porter to keep me grounded.

T: Porter up front with bourbon in the back end. Roasted malts, chocolatey, are evident first before the bourbon kicks in. Also present are nitro-smooth flavors that cut into the roasted bitterness. As the flavors pass to bourbon, more sweetness with vanilla and coconut comes to the forefront, a pleasing blend with the porter body. This is the barrel aged beer that I've been waiting for from IH Lancaster, so sweet and potent but calming. It's dynamite steps, cuz you're never gonna feel like you felt last night.

M: The porter and bourbon are a wicked combination, twins separated at birth but destined to be reunited. Sweet and murky, enjoy.

D: It feels stronger than the listed 6.5% but whom am I to pass judgment. A bold porter with a great bourbon finish. Another one to take off of nitro.

Serving type: nitro-tap
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 781 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster

02-12-2011 22:04:49 | More by akorsak