Brewer's Reserve Bourbon Barrel Stout - Central Waters Brewing Company

jokemon

Illinois

4.98/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I feel bad writing such a simple review but there is not much else to say but "this is a very good beer and you should try it.

Had it on tap at the Malt House in Madison, WI.

Dark as night, and taste like bourbon milk chocolate with a bit of coffee.

Serving type: on-tap

07-06-2012 00:48:21 | More by jokemon

josephwa

Minnesota

4.98/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

2011 served in a snifter.

A - medium brown, with thin light brown head.

S - bourbon, chocolate, caramel, simple syrup. Wonderful.

T - chocolate bourbon, sweetness, a nice blend of maltiness and hoppyness. The bourbon lingers really nicely. Fantastic after taste. Has the sweetness of simple syrup.

M - no burn on this one. Although it was aged. Well carbonated, great mouthfeel.

O - I can't recommend this enough. Best bang for the buck I've seen. I highly recommend aging this beer as well.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 02:06:33 | More by josephwa

martyl1000

Wisconsin

4.98/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I'm not sure how much my Wisconson partiality is involved in this score. But I'm just as impressed with this as I am BCBS or Mikkeler Black Hole or Founders Imperial Stout. It puts into perspective Tier 1 vs. Tier 2 imperial stouts. Now relegated to Tier 2 are: Stone Imperial Russian Stout, Founders Breakfast Stout, Southern Tier Mokah/Jahva/Creme Brulee, Weyerbacher Tiny, and Goose Island Big John.

The aroma may be the star, here, though how could one choose any awesome feature over any other? It pours an opaque black, rivaling the darkest brown head I've ever seen. Perma-lacing sticks to the tulip glass like meringue.

Christy loves the bourbon booziness. I feel like I'm having another 16% fume-bomb, like Hebrew Jewbilation 16--but in the best way. The sweet malt mingles with the bourbon spice so well it creates the mirage of Neopolitan ice cream (chocolate and vanilla at once), w/o the strawberry of course.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 06:39:28 | More by martyl1000

badbeer

Iowa

4.95/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

2007 Bottle

Pours out black with a tan head that retains well; leaves a nice lacing, especially for a high gravity brew. Smell is splendid. A rich scent of bourbon, vanilla bean, chocolate, and roastiness make up the aroma. This is not overdone like almost all other bourbon barrel beers are; it is amazingly well done. Bourbon taste is strong, but smooth; noticeable, but in no way overpowering. Perfectly blend of flavors. Carbonation is a little higher than medium but does a good job holding this one together. Mouthfeel is medium, with a dry, roasty, bourbon-y, and vanilla finish. BA Dark Lord, Kentucky Breakfast, and Bourbon County Stout are just a few examples of very good bourbon aged stouts; the one that comes closest to this one is BA Speedway. Yes, I did just say that, this is the king of bourbon barrel stouts, in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2007 03:52:33 | More by badbeer

312HopBomb

Illinois

4.95/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

2011 batch in a 12 oz brown bottle. Served in a Goose Island Belgian Tulip (silver goose).

Dark brown with garnet highlights. Not much head, it falls to a ring.

OMG the smell is the best I have ever experienced. It is the most intense, complex blend ever. I am struggling to wrap my brain around all the aromas mixed together. First, the blast of bourbon then vanilla and toffee, molasses, caramel and brown sugar. Booze with dark fruits and some oak. Fig, date, and plum. I can't believe how great this smells.

Each sip is a pool of concentrated flavor swirling around my tongue. This is almost better than the smell if that is even possible. The bourbon, vanilla, caramel, toffee, molasses, dark fruits and booze continue on and on leading one to take the sips in increasingly rapid bursts. This is not the way to sample an imperial stout but oh well.

The mouthfeel is like velvet. Fine carbonation that lasts to the final sip.

Overall: At this price point this is the best value on the planet. I am kicking myself for not buying all I could get my hands on because it's gone now. I only got two or three four packs. I can't wait until next year's release. Central Waters knocked this style out of the park.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2012 05:59:32 | More by 312HopBomb

nflmvp

Wisconsin

4.93/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured a nice thick two inch head of mocha foam which left a sticy lace as it subsided. Pitch black in the glass.

Smell: HEAVENLY.... smoky bourbon, coffee, molasses, dark chocolate.

Taste: WOW. Homerun! Again, bourbon, coffee, etc.

Moutfeel: Amazingly smooth for the higer than average ABV. Thick and coating...even creamy. Very light alcohol tingle. I find this stuff to be amazing.

Drinkabilty: Simply outstanding. I can't seem to get enough of this amazingly smooth, yet complex BBS. Likely the highest rating I've given to any beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2006 03:57:00 | More by nflmvp

Wasatch

Utah

4.93/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Thanks to beerwolf77 for this brew.
2010 Edition
Bottled: Jan
Revisted: 7 Nov 10

DAMN! This is one tasty brew.

Poured into a chalice a black color, nice carbonation, nice little creamy/fizzy tan head, some islands and sticky lacing follows. The nose is big on roasted malts, oak/bourbon, vanilla, and chocolate/toffee. The taste is simply delicious, it hits you right in the face with a big bourbon/malt/chocolate/toffee notes, with some really nice vanilla sweetness. The warmth from the alcohol comes in next, and leaves the tummy nice and warm. Full body, well-rounded brew. Very drinkable, MAN! I wish this was available in Utah. One of the best brews I've had to date, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Thanks to autumnaldave for this brew.

DAMN! This is one tasty brew.

Poured into a tulip a black color, nice carbonation, nice little creamy tan head, some islands and sticky lacing follows. The nose is big on roasted malts, oak/bourbon, vanilla, and chocolate/toffee. The taste is simply delicious, it hits you right in the face with a big bourbon/malt/chocolate/toffee, with some really nice vanilla sweetness. The warmth from the alcohol comes in next, and leaves the tummy nice and warm. Full body, well-rounded brew. Very drinkable, MAN! I wish this was available in Utah. One of the best brews I've had to date, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2007 00:57:39 | More by Wasatch

gkatsoris

Pennsylvania

4.93/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A: Darkest of brown; border-lining black. No head and no lacing. No bubbles either.

S: Chocolate Jack Daniels. Vanilla whiskey. Chocolate coffee whiskey. Butterscotch.

T: Butterscotch!!! Coffee whiskey!!! Chocolate whiskey!!! Bourbon-licious!!! Vanilla whiskey. Expresso on the very very end. Ground coffee beans.

M: Thick and rich. Coats the tongue beautifully. Yum!!!

O: As big and bold as this is, I could drink these/this all night; usually a beer this big is a one-and-done...NOT THIS ONE!!!

Serving type: on-tap

04-14-2012 03:01:02 | More by gkatsoris

vobr0002

Minnesota

4.93/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A- dark brown with creamy tan head that last a while

S- caramel, chocolate, vanilla bourbon, oak. Smells fantastic

T- chocolate, roasted, vanilla oak, bourbon, and coffee.

M- full body, thick and very smooth.

O- one of the very best bourbon barrel stouts I have ever had.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2012 04:17:41 | More by vobr0002

Jimmeekrek

Wisconsin

4.91/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

Truly an epic Bourbon Barrel aged imperial stout, at a price point that defies the industry standard. Basically the same componentry as 1414, which won gold at the GABF, this spends a year in heaven hill bourbon barrels, and the result is nearly perfect. Chocolate, vanilla, bourbon and a hint of coconut make for an outstanding beer. Do yourself a favor, get a bottle or two if you can.

Serving type: on-tap

03-11-2013 03:00:15 | More by Jimmeekrek

GehenHerzog

North Carolina

4.9/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

12oz bottle poured into a Mother Earth Snifter. 2011 vintage Bottle received from beerwolf77. I'm pretty sure this is my new favorite

A- Pours a deep brown, almost black. About a quarter inch head, no lacing at all.

S- The smell is strong bourbon, vanilla and an ever so slight coffee scent on the back end.

T- Very strong vanilla and bourbon up front which I love. On the back end I get a little bit of chocolate, coffee, toffee, and a little bit of alcohol. Very balanced and one of my favorite beers (comparable to Event Horizon).

M- It's a full bodied beer, medium carbonation.

D- Very drinkable. Very slight heat/alcohol detected which I prefer.

I absolutely love this beer, which is the reason why I traded for it again. This beer and Olde Hickory Event Horizon are neck and neck as my favorite beers. If anyone wants to send me more of these, I will not mind at all.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2011 02:34:48 | More by GehenHerzog

klewis

Ohio

4.83/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Thanks to ThomasHardy for this extra!

A: Pours a solid black with a bubbly off-white head that subsides to a thick frothy ring around the glass. Moderate lacing.

S: Malty smell with chocolate, raisins, and a strong but pleasant bourbon aroma.

T: A dry taste of coffee with an earthy quality. Nice complexity from the barrel aging with flavors of vanilla, burnt wood, and quite a bit of fine bourbon flavor.

M: Full-bodied and dry with light carbonation.

D: Quite a fine brew. Normally I don't like beers in which the bourbon is this noticable, however, the brewers at Central Waters have found a way to combine the stout with the bourbon barrel so that both flavors compliment each other while still retaining their characteristic tastes. Every sip gets better andbetter. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2007 20:54:38 | More by klewis

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.83/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

12 oz bottle poured into a nonic. 2010 Bottled on Jan notched.

Picked up at the brewery during their 12th Anniversary party.

A - Pours out almost black, it appears the same in the glass. Very small highlights of dark brown around the edges. A rather modest pour creates a two-finger tan head with moderate retention and wisps of thin lace here and there.

S - The bourbon barrel is so strong and robust. It's just a tad too much...or the malts not strong enough? Oaky wood notes are somewhat closed in comparison to the massive bourbon nose. Hot alcohol but not solvent-like or burning. Bold vanilla cream too. The roasted malts are strong here but still overwhelmed. I picked up light notes of semi-sweet chocolate chunk and a drizzle of molasses.

T - The roasted malts really pull through and come out in a big way. After the nose, I was a little scared it would be a little too unbalanced but the first blast consists of heavy milk chocolate and mocha with very smooth and delicate roasted malts. Right away the profile shifts gears to a relaxed vanilla cream and deliciously smooth bourbon barrel flavor with minor hints at wood. The alcohol adds warmth too but not flavor or kick.

M - Hot damn! It's not even a month past bottling and this is one of the most smooth things I've ever had. It's like plush velvet meets baby's bottom meets James Brown smooth. It just glides down the throat with finesse. It's full-bodied and robust with a very mild carbonation finish.

D - Here's how drinkable this is; the first thing I did after sipping this was text Beerwolf77 that I'm pissed I couldn't afford a case of this. I'd love to put some away to age for a long time but holy crap, this drinks so well now I don't know how I could resist. For a bourbon barrel stout it went down insanely quick. May I have another?

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2010 19:12:39 | More by BeerFMAndy

bitterbeerguy

Minnesota

4.83/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

It's been a pretty good day so far...Pliny and some fresh BBS from Central Waters

Beer pours black as night, with off-white head that subsides very quickly. Small stream of bubbles does come up throughout the entire time I drink this beer. Slightest rim of foam still present

Smell hits the bourbon highlights: nut, whiskey, and vanilla. Not the heaviest aroma, but definitely present once you get your nose into it.

Flavor is top notch. You might expect a very thick feel to it, but very well balanced that way. Bourbon flavor throughout, but turns into a creamy toffee flavor on the end. Honestly, one of the best finishes I have ever had in a stout. The vanilla linger is beautiful.

This brew makes it on my list of favorites without any effort. The real question is: how can I get a hold of a case?

Cheers and Merry Christmas!

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2011 03:19:20 | More by bitterbeerguy

joeseppy

Illinois

4.8/5  rDev +14%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Had on-tap @ Beer Bistro, Chi-town. Thanks Bob and Chris for scoring a barrel.

Kinda dark in the bar but a black pour with a one inch creamy head. At any time, putting this down, you could rouse up a thin vanilla cream topping by agitating the pint.

Aroma of sweet cream, vanilla and trace bourbon.

First sip is CHOCOLATE decadence. Not too sweet to hurt your teeth. Picking up on dried coconut flakes, vanilla and just the right amount of bourbon. The malt bill is spectacular. Simple saying-this is a Coke float with vanilla ice cream and a shot of choice bourbon. Medium density but this doesn't need to be thick, IMO.

This is my fourth BA from Central Waters and they have their barrel program nailed this past year. This brew right here is the pie'ce de resistance : )

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2013 15:10:15 | More by joeseppy

TheSSG

Illinois

4.78/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a light, loud hissing, tan head that collapses to a thin edging. MASSIVE nose of woody vanilla with a noticeable booziness behind it. Black. Starts out aggressively woody and vanilla-y, with that booze behind it; almost as forceful as a bourbon. Moves to a medium bitterness as an AMAZING, deep, toasted coffee flavor comes through, switches to dark chocolate, and finishes with roasted malt and chocolate. This has a nice, thick, viscous consistency.

This is AMAZING. Simply stunning. This is everything a bourbon barrel stout should be; the bourbon flavors lead the way, but the stout is equally strong and these flavors blend so well with the wood notes to create a sensationally complex, toasty, coffee/chocolate character.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 03:05:45 | More by TheSSG

ktrillionaire

Florida

4.75/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Hook-up from Grynder33. Thanks Tom.

A - I am quite surprised at the look of this brew. It is obviously thin for a Stout, and pours a somewhat translucent coffee-brown. It looks like iced coffee sans cream. Intriguing. Strangely appropriate though considering the Bourbon focus.

S - The smell is straight-up Bourbon and chocolate.

T - Delicious. The taste is heavy on the chocolate. Not so much coffee, a little bit, but just as much of an impression of smoke, tea and sweet roasted malt. Tons of straight Bourbon on the finish.

M - This brew is unusually thin for the style, but the thin feel works well to deliver real bourbon flavor. I feel like if it were thicker, it would be hot and sticky.

D - This brew is awesome, and as easily drinkable as a Bourbon-barrel Stout can possibly be.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2010 22:01:04 | More by ktrillionaire

DreadHead

4.75/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

First of all the beer had been aged for 4 months prior to consumption. It poured really well from the bottle but left me wanting something more as far as a head was concerned. It dissipated quickly but left a lingering oil in water appearance throughout the life of the beer. The smell was deep in bourbon with a hint of chocolate. Possibly too dominant for some but fantastic in my book. It develops well from beginning to end and lingers on the tongue. Great beer for a fantastic price. Eager to drink it once I have aged it.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2012 03:58:59 | More by DreadHead

TVolt1

Minnesota

4.75/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Dark black with a medium amount of off white head.

S: Smells like a lot of coffee and a small amount of dark chocolate. Hazelnut and cream smells as well.

T: Really smooth dark dark chocolate taste with a hazelnut and creamer aftertaste. Has a taste of coffee but the other notes are much stronger and limit the amount of coffee taste.

M: Good medium to thick mouthfeel which I feel is very fitting for this beer.

O: OVerall, great beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2012 04:16:43 | More by TVolt1

nickapalooza86

Wisconsin

4.75/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

As I go through what has to be about my 4th case of this beer I have had in my lifetime it occurs to my why not review it, especially when it is by far the best it has ever been this year!

Pours a almost black, light shines the brown on the sides, looks great lets dig in!

Smell, very sweet for a barrel stout, Vanilla is number 1 for sure, followed by bourbon, caramel, dark fruit, smells great lets go a step further shall we....

taste is also dominated by vanilla, bourbon and caramel. A little roastyness from the satin solstice come through in the finish.

Mouthfeel here is where I disagree with most reviews, It coats my mouth, sure it has a semi dry finish but that just keeps me coming back for more! Silky and smoot, not thick but certainly not thin!

Well at 9.69/4pack if you see it get it!, I know it is more in other areas but still only a dollar or two.... You are not gonna top that value and well you pay that price for 4 bottles not one 22oz bomber! Lets support our breweries who recognize that beer like this belong in this format, now stop my reading my awesome review and drink it up you fools!

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 03:55:52 | More by nickapalooza86

Andrew61923

Connecticut

4.75/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

2012 vintage. Poured from bottle out of my beer fridge into my Duvel tulip. Normally I'd say that it is entirely too hot out to have a stout, and especially a BA one, but I need to get through my cellar before the big move.

A: Pours a dark, dark brown that borders on black with a finger's worth of cream colored head after a fairly aggressive pour. I noticed a good amount of light coming through on the pour, so I was pleasantly surprised to see a darker end product than I expected. The head fades slower than I would expect with light lacing along the glass. A good start.

S: This beer smells so strongly of oak and delightful bourbon that I could smell it from across the kitchen after I poured it. A healthy dose of chocolate and raisin. I'm really excited to get into this one.

T: Wow. Picking up on a lot of chocolate covered raisin with a good amount of the oakiness coming through on the finish. Though a different style, I would compare this to Tyranena's Dirty Old Man...and that's good company to be in.

M: As I mentioned, this is similar in a lot of ways to a specific barrel-aged porter, not a stout as advertised. It is a bit thin, but there are no other complaints here. Carb is spot-on and the taste lingers plenty long enough to make me want to dive right back in.

O: I really enjoyed Peruvian Morning, so I'm not surprised that I had a similar great experience with this beer. Certainly different beers, but definitely cousins at the very least. If you see this, pick it up and drink it...weather be damned.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 02:22:45 | More by Andrew61923

drpimento

Wisconsin

4.72/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Well now, this heah's some kinda beer. Mm hm. Served with a small fine tan head and a little lace. Color is an opaque brownish black. Aroma is roasty, bourbon, malt, coffee, vanilla, caramel, toffee, dark ripe fruits, and cocoa. Flavor's about the same but the whiskey stands out along with some bittersweet. Great body and carbonation; perfect for the style. Finish is excellent - medium long and tapered. Really well balanced beer. Rich and yet drinkable. Satisfying and yet intriguing. Go great with a nice mild cigar. Booze is subdued. A masterful beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-23-2010 20:45:02 | More by drpimento

ZAP

Minnesota

4.7/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

An excellent beer....particularly if you like Bourbon...pours a nice black with brown notes...little creamy tan head....nose is all bourbon...also some oak....and a sweet almost vanilla like note...

Body is full...relatively carbonated but creamy textured...the flavor is big on the bourbon...feels a little hot from the booze conditoning...I like it...some bitter dark chocolate mixes in nicely..finishes with a whiff of piney hop bitterness...dry...

A fantastic brew...complex while at the same time blasting you hard with the bourbon and oak flavors I wanted to taste....

This is a hell of a brewery and this is one of their better ones which is really saying something...I

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2004 18:29:55 | More by ZAP

biglobo8971

Minnesota

4.7/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

poured from bottle into tulip. Started off way too cold, but I gave sufficient time to let it warm up.
A - black as hell, very little head, a ton of lacing.
S - bourbon, bourbon, coffee, roast, bourbon Absolutely breath taking. I smelled it every time I took a sip
T - see Smell, awesome taste. Bourbon, roast, coffee, bitter chocolate, and barrell are all present, Just a hint of alcohol burn. Absolutely fantastic.
M - the perfect viscocity for me. Just the perfect balance.
O - a true winner, glad this brewery is semi close to me. Will definitely recommend to every one.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 03:50:19 | More by biglobo8971

nlmartin

Ohio

4.68/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Giant thanks to JeffKrenner who sent this beer as part of BC-2. The beer was served in a Imperial Nonic. The beer was lightly chilled for 20 minutes.

Appearance: The beer pours a solid perfect blackness. The beer has no ruby opaqueness to light. The head of the beer is the color of lightly creamed coffee. The head is 2 fingers high with great retention. Thick sheets of lacing remain behind on my glass.

Smell: This reminds me of dark chocolatey Bourbon bon bons served with rich robust espresso. This beer has a bit of oakey vanilla flavors. This beer is loaded with Bourbon fumes. This is a great smelling Bourbon barrel beer.

Taste: This beer has a very upfront Bourbon flavor. This compliments the molasses, dark roasted strong espresso, chocolate, and vanilla oak.

Mouthfeel/ Drinkability: This is a full bodied beer. The beer is loaded with boozey alcohol. For some people the boozeyness of the beer would be a negative. I found this to be a very pleasing part of the beer. I am a big guy and sometimes it takes a big beer to please me. I was distressed how quick this beer left my glass. I tried to make myself hold back. I failed! I think this beer is easily as good as some of my favorite Bourbon Barrel Stouts. This could do the Pepsi Challenge with Goose Island Bourbon County Stout and Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2007 16:25:06 | More by nlmartin