Barrel Aged Imperial Schwartz - Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery

falloutsnow

Illinois

2.94/5  rDev -27.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3

From: Binny's, Peoria, IL
Date: None, bottled spring 2012
Glass: Ayinger willi glass

An easy-sipping bourbon barrel aged imperial "schwarzbier," heavy on the bourbon whiskey aspects, very low on the schwarzbier ones. If that's your idea of an exceptional beer, then this is for you! My snideness aside, I do not mind drinking bourbon whiskey from time to time, but I was not under the impression that this was what I'd call a "black bourbon beer," with very low beer-like qualities to it. Fairly disregardable in my final opinion, not one I'd return to, even if it were still in production. If you want an actual higher ethanol-content schwarzbier, with actual schwarzbier characters, check out Grand Teton's 5 O'clock Shadow.

Pours a 1.25cm tall head of tan foam, composed of small and medium-sized bubbles in a fairly close-packed arrangement. Retention is average, lasting about a minute as it descends to a thick ring around the perimeter of the glass and some small islands atop the body of the beer. Lacing is modest, some small spots/dots and a few larger washes of foam stick the sides of the glass. The beer's body is a very dark brown-amber color, transparent, with light bringing out dark, mineral-like, reddish-brown hues. Carbonation is not visible through the body.

Aroma of bourbon whiskey, ethanol, oak barrel, faint smokiness, and vanilla. Where is the, uh, schwarzbier, or even bier for that matter?

The bourbon and ethanol heavily overpower whatever roasted and caramel malt flavors are in the beer, making it rather one-dimensional. Front of palate finds bourbon whiskey, oak barrel, vanilla, very faint roasted malt. Mid-palate finds bourbon whiskey, ethanol, vanilla, oak barrel, and subtle caramel and roasted malts; again, the beer-like components of this concoction seem to be an afterthought in the final product. Back of palate finds strong ethanol, bourbon whiskey, and oak barrel; little vanilla or malt characters pierce the ethanol harshness. Lingering aftertaste of bourbon whiskey with light oak, vanilla, and roasted malt character.

Beer is surprisingly medium to medium-light in body, with carbonation of medium to medium-low intensity. The resultant mouthfeel is slightly foamy and generally smooth, aside from the somewhat harsh ethanol burn across the palate, throat, and in the nostrils. Closes expectedly dry and substantially sticky on the palate.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 05:37:28 | More by falloutsnow

libbey

Washington

4.13/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

22oz bottled poured into a Hoppin Frog snifter

A: The beer pours a dark chocolate brown with a nice coco head that settles into a thin cap leaving a trail of sticky lacing throughout the session.

S: The nose is dominated by the barrel. Notes of vanilla and toasted marshmellow mingle with hints of oak. A layer of dark fruit and burnt toffee malt base lingers in the background. Smells great.

T: Taste follows suit with a nice candied dark fruit malt base combined with a layer of bourbon barrel. Primarily oak and vanilla.

M: The carbonation is perfect on this medium bodies ale and the finish is tacky and sweet leaving a layer of barrel notes on the pallet after each sip.

O: Overall this is a unique take on the style and I really dug the layer of flavors added by the barrel. I tend to like my BA beers to be heavy with the barrel and this one came through in spades. I would drink this again in a heart beat if offered.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 03:30:46 | More by libbey

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.48/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle courtesy of noodleuser. Served in a mini snifter. Pours near black with a short tan head. The nose brings some light roast along with bourbon, roast, and vanilla. Mild sweetness. Flavor has really nice bourbon notes along with a touch of vanilla and roast. Medium body with good carbonation. One of the best Flossmoor beers that I’ve had.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 19:00:47 | More by Thorpe429

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.88/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A big beer. Bourbon barreled imperial schwartz says it all, as it is not a shwartz. Lots of bourbon,roast, boozy, vanilla, raisin, and sweetness. The aroma is somewhat more balanced and pleasant, perhaps a function of several months of aging. Big black body, above average mouthfeel. More of a sipper in terms of drinkability.Thanks Steve.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2012 04:04:33 | More by northyorksammy

nachos

Ohio

4.38/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

As an imperial black lager thats got a lot of bourbon character to this, I really really like it.

So much vanilla bourbon smell and flavor to it. Its heavy on the barrel flavour, but it is in no way a bad thing. I also really enjoy central waters bbs if that helps any since I feel its pretty bourbon forward as well.

But, this is everything I look for in a schwartz, in that its flavorful, but easy to drink a bunch of it and has good carbonation. The bourbon character really adds to it, and makes one slow down a bit, but this is just a flat out delicious brew.

the wax is annoying to have to remove, but i also respect that its probably actually doing something as opposed to the superficial wax thats on NG belgian red and rasp tart

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2012 04:50:45 | More by nachos

Holland

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: black with brown highlights and a small tan head that gives way to a covering lacing.

S: bourbon, roasted malt, and huge sweetness and caramel

T: taste is much the same - the only flaw is that it's too sweet for my liking.

M: Well carbonated for a big beer like this with a medium body. The bourbon and alcohol seem to cut the body down to medium even with the high sugar amount.

O: could have been done with less sweetness, and it would be fantastic. Still, I'm glad I got another of these as it's pretty delicious. $15 a bottle at the brewery only, so thanks to my sister for picking this up for me on DLD eve 2012.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2012 02:08:11 | More by Holland

Sean9689

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at the Pre-DLD Flossmoor Event.

A - Pours a darker cola-like body, tan head, thin collar.

S - Bourbon, vanilla, burnt sugars, oak, light malts, root beer, and light chocolate. A nice mix of complexity and the bourbon adds a nice touch on the entire beer.

T - Similar to the nose with bourbon, burnt sugars, toasted malts, some toffee. The alcohol is fairly well-hidden and adds to this beer rather then dominate. Finish is sweet booze and toffee.

M - Medium towards full body, good carbonation, sweet finish.

O - A nice take on the style with the barrel notes adding something extra to this beer. Not sure how much I could actually drink, but my pour was just about perfect. I'd have again in the future and I'm looking forward to seeing how this will age.

Serving type: on-tap

06-06-2012 14:52:20 | More by Sean9689

MasterSki

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Flossmoor Station for the pre-DLD festivities. Served in a plastic cup.

A - Thin tan foam settles to some wisps, thin collar, and tiny spots of lace. Very dark brown body.

S - Bourbon, vanilla, chocolate, light roast, toasted coconut. Pretty much all bourbon barrel here, but thankfully it's not overly boozy.

T - The taste is a little more schwarzbier-esque, with fruity notes, dark chocolate, and a clean lager finish. Still, there's a ton of overt bourbon flavor, nice oaky vanilla, and a lightly tangy sour mash whiskey note in the aftertaste.

M - Medium chewy body, lightly tannic finish, smooth texture, with lower carbonation and minimal warming alcohol.

D - Nice beer - I liked it more than the Scotch Ale even though I was more skeptical of this one to start. Curious how it translated to the bottle and what age will do to it.

Serving type: on-tap

04-29-2012 23:33:03 | More by MasterSki

brystmar

New York

3.9/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at the brewpub on release day!

Thin, boring-looking pour. Mild head leaves me wishing for more. Fruity smell reminds me that I used to love Schwartzbiers. Dark fruits, heavy malt, booze, oaky barrel flavors too. An interesting blend of flavors that I'd love to revisit in 9 months.

Serving type: on-tap

04-28-2012 04:01:52 | More by brystmar

birchstick

Missouri

3.53/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours black with hues of brown throughout. Nose is some chocolate malt mixed in with vanilla bourbon. Starts off with chocolate malts that moves to a lot of bourbon and vanilla notes. This dominates the palate. Ends with a spiciness mixed in with a lot vanilla and booze. smooth, silky body. Overall, the barrel aging dominates this one. It is pretty hot and boozy right now, but might settle to be a damned good beer down the line.

Serving type: on-tap

04-27-2012 22:55:27 | More by birchstick