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

Zachtheporter

Wisconsin

4.53/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

a 2011 poured from a 12oz bottle into a Duvel Sifter.

A- A Robust absolute pitch black. The head was very thin and dissipated right away leaving a remaining white ring around the edges of the glass. Absolutely no light penetration whatsoever.

S- You can smell the alcohol and the bourbon right away. The bottle itself smells just like pure bourbon. If you put it too my nose and i was blindfolded I would think you were making me smell a bottle of Bullet or wild turkey. Delicious fudgy notes also hit the nose, giving off the smell of the hot fudge that goes on top of ice cream sundaes. A few caramel notes as well.

T- Tastes very much like bourbon minus the alcoholic burn. Hints of chocolate dance along the tongue leaving a semi sweet after taste. Taste has hints of what I believe to be oak. You can definitely taste the wood from the barrel this was aged in. It isn't so strong though that it is unpleasant.

M- Very smooth with very little carbonation.

O- This beer has definitely taken on the most characteristics from the barrel, then any other beer I have tried as of yet. It is like drinking bourbon without the alcoholic burn which is absolutely amazing. For anyone who enjoys whiskey in general I would highly recommend this. All the joys of bourbon put in beer form. I was thinking about aging this but Im not exactly sure if I want to anymore. It already seems so perfect.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2012 02:54:37 | More by Zachtheporter

challenja

Virginia

4.53/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served On Tap at Church Key DC

A: A bit light with a redish glow. Crimson blood spilt and kept in commemorative jar.
S: Candied Cherries, brown sugar, warm maple sap. Grape Concord? French vanilla is swetting through the cherried oak barrels. Sweet syrupy molassesed malts. Definitely a different profile from most imperial stouts which tend to be coffee and dark chocolate.
T: This is one complex brew that teeters on fruity saison territory. I am at a loss at why this is considered an imperial stout. The bourbon flourish comes after the candied fruit intro which is loaded with candied cherries, strawberry jam, and concord grape juice! The coffee profile is minimal at best it comes racing in after the fruit bourbon and sweet lacing in Fourth place. Not even Medaling! Boo!
But definitely a tasty brew.
M: Very cask in feel. Light to medium carbonation, smooth and creamy with a nice white pepper backbite that travels down the throat cavity.
O: A very tasty brew. Impressive in character and taste profile. Definitely a sneak attack beer to offer your beer geek friends. Highly recommended for the adventurous beer snob

Serving type: on-tap

03-21-2012 17:34:09 | More by challenja

Lognar

Illinois

4.53/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2012 vintage

A - poured dark drown and the minuscule head dissipated in seconds leaving a khaki ring around the glass.

S - great nose on this one. sweetness, chocolate, caramel, and black licorice. you can really smell the sweetness in this brew.

T - that first sip was a real eye-opener as I looked from my glass to the bottle remarking "wow, that's good." Sweet, mild bourbon and vanilla (my two favorite flavors) are most prominent, so the label wasn't lying. :-) Cocoa and coffee roastiness are there too. Subtle when compared to BCBS, more subdued. As it warms the roastiness really comes through and takes center stage.

M - Smooth, quite smooth. No burn. The alcohol is hidden and blended well.

O - A great BA stout. Very balanced and sweet. Really mellows as it warms and blends together well.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2013 05:25:30 | More by Lognar

unclejazz

New York

4.51/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

2013 vintage

A-brown/black body with a short live tan head.

S-pit fruit/dates and bourbon, a touch of smoke and cola.

T-nics sweet cola start with date and then a smooth vanilla bourbon backbone. A little bit of bread malt presence with a nice roasted flavor in the back of the mouth.

M-there is a nice dance of carbonation that really allows the date and bourbon flavors to pop. This a just a bit reminiscent of Kuhnhenn BB4D.

O-I like this better than last year's release, bravo CW!

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 00:43:21 | More by unclejazz

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Almost black. Streaks of ruby are noted. Thin and very creamy light brown head. Lacing is quite full and comes in rings. Aroma is excellent. Chocolate and tar and tobacco juice and bourbon and oak and vanilla...Nice! The alcohol is noted up front on the palate. But so is the sweet bourbon and oak cask characteristicds. Chocolate and vanilla come together like ebony and ivory...in perfect harmony. Bitter roasted tones are quite noticeable and coffee bean accentuates as well. All in all a quite enjoyable, complex flavor profile. The mouthfeel is nicely carbonated (but not overly so) and the body is about medium-full.

Quite enjoyable and intoxicating beverage.

Thanks for the goods cokes.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2004 03:59:41 | More by Bighuge

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle obtained via trade with Skidz. Thanks for the opportunity...

Poured into an imperial pint glass, formed 3/4" of medium brown head over the opaque dark, dark brown brew. Head retention is good, laces well. Aroma is of coffee and chocolate malts, with an undercurrent of bourbon, as advertised. Taste is pretty evenly split between coffee and chocolate, making for a nicely balance flavor, dark malt-wise. Some alcohol notes ala the bourbon sneak in at the end. Mouthfeel and drinkability is are high, would want to drink this all day for the flavor and feel, even if my head would rue the day in the morning...

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2004 02:15:56 | More by ppoitras

Flyer

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I'm predicting big things for this up-and-coming brewery. This particular entry would make great competition for Irish coffee. It pours so dark it's almost purple, with a nice head. Phenomenal aroma of bourbon and oak, and maybe even a little peat. Really nice bourbon flavor over a chocolatey base. More oak and bourbon in the aftertaste, with a really nice warming sensation.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2007 23:38:25 | More by Flyer

rye726

Colorado

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Near black with some ruby hues and a silky tan head. Nose has whiskey, oak, roasted malts, bitter hops, chocolate, coffee and booze. Taste also has a big roasted malt presence along with, espresso, cocoa, molasses, hops, oak and bourbon.
Body is a bit thin, but well carbonated. Tasty stuff.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2009 04:39:25 | More by rye726

Dogbrick

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Sample at the Most Honorable SuperHappyFun Stout Tasting. Thanks to MIBRomeo for the trade! This beer is a dark brownish-black color with a medium and foamy beige head that recedes slowly. Patches of lacing on the glass. Aroma of rich malt, bourbon, oak and vanilla. Full-bodied with flavors of malt and butterscotch, bourbon and dark fruits. Lightly bitter hops and coffee in the background. The finish is roasted malt and butterscotch with a lingering coffee and vanilla aftertaste. Very good overall.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2009 02:16:29 | More by Dogbrick

indiapaleale

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pour - pitch in color and streaky as it hits the glass. The head on this is off-white almost tan and a good half inch in depth. Age has done little as far as presentation goes, this looks great.

Aroma - sticking my nose in the snifter I am met by a wave of vanilla, tannins, sweet milk chocolate, whisky and brown sugar. Lots of smells to take in when you've got a beer like this one. The heat from the alcohol tickles my sinuses a bit. I am in for a treat.

Taste - as soon as this hits my tongue my body warms just a bit. The flavor of burnt sugar, vanilla extract, sour cherries and red wine permeate my mouth. The vinous taste of this leaves a dryness in the finish. Bittersweet with plenty of whisky flavor present but it's light and blends nicely with the subdued and mellowed maltiness. This is silky in mouthfeel and the carbonation levels are near perfect even after so much time in the cellar. No off flavors whatsoever, just a lot of complexity and enjoyment.

Overall - Complex. Age has been kind and the flavors have all come together nicely. The heat is gone and some of the sharpness that may have been present has mellowed out. The bourbon barrel aging has done wonders for the flavors imparted on this stout and age has done even more for it. Time has mellowed the heat but it still warms your soul.

Would I buy more of it? - Absolutely. I'd love to have a few more bottles to put away for years to come.

Vintage - This bottle is from the winter of 2007. So it has 2+ years on it.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2009 01:26:24 | More by indiapaleale

jampics2

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle courtesy of a great Wisconsin trader. Into my La Fin Du Monde tulip. Looks nice, a dark as night beer with a small tan head. After a minute, though, the head disappears and just a film hangs on. That stops this from scoring higher.

Nose is crazy hotness, with bourbon and dark fruit, with a nice roasty quality as well. Bourbon is the star and some sweet molasses and vanilla also make an appearance. Could be a bit more balanced smell-wise.

Taste is freaking awesome, totally made up for a less than exceptional nose. Great chocolate presence and just enough bourbon. A wonderful cocoa powder and vanilla aftertaste. Really flavorful and bold, with the barrel well integrated. This is a world class tasting beer!! I like the taste more than the Peruvian AM I had last week.

Mouthfeel is thin and a bit too carbed to be creamy like I like my american double/imperial stouts. But still acceptable for the style.

Drinkability is great. SO glad I have another bottle of this in the cellar. Can't wait to have it again, really a perfect beer on a Sunday evening as I'm finally relaxing!

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2010 23:10:28 | More by jampics2

chumba526

Oregon

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appears dark brown almost black. With a very small layer of brown foam.

Smells alcohol like, bourbon like vanilla. I also get a bit of caramel malt like smell to the beer as well. There is also a coffee like smell as well.

It tastes of coffee, vanilla, strong bourbon and chocolate. It is very strong on the bourbon flavor. There is a mild oak flavor. It is actually a somewhat light stout but it is very flavorful.

Fairly moderate carbonation with a light body.

Overall a great bourbon stout that really highlighted the bourbon. The beer was a bit light in body for a stout but I really loved this beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2011 05:10:48 | More by chumba526

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

thick dark brown liquid, essentially black with no light penetration what so ever. Rich deep, and thick chocolate colored lace then formed on the top of it to a height of around two inches

rich and sweet, the first notes to hit me were a nice sweet milk chocolate, lactose, and a nice burnt caramel aroma. Very sweet, with hints of coffee throughout. A nice mixture of roasted malts, and not overly heavy. Rich milk chocolate, molasses and vanilla hints were the first right out of the gate. Very sweet with lots of lactose sugar like flavors coming in, probably from the oatmeal. A slight warming on the back of the throat, but other then that there was literally no hint of the alcohol what so ever. Really a fine quality stout here. Nice dry touches in the finish capped it off well and left a long lingering sweet coffee like taste in the mouth. Very well done indeed. nice light bourbon on the finish and it was gone

It was a nice full-bodied stout, though nowhere near as filling as some of the others can be

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2011 02:04:42 | More by mikesgroove

AndyAvalanche

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. bottle poured into a Duvel Tulip Style Glass. Liquid portion itself comes out of the bottle and the stream looks like a cola color, but as it pools in the glass it looks black. When you hold it up to the light, you can see the cola colored brown at the top. An off-white to gray colored head, mostly really small bubbles so it looks creamy. Has better than average lacing to it. It's a really good looking beer.

Smell is pretty good, but I really gotta recommend the Tulip or Golet on this one. Swirl effect helps this beer out quite a bit. A few swirls will give some nice wiffs of bourbon, but not overbearing. Slight woody aromas and hints of vanilla, it's all good. Slight hints of dark chocolate and roasted coffee, however it's not a dominant feature. Not too strong in the smell though, the Tulip helps a bit.

The taste isn't perfect, but pretty darn close. Good roasty flavors. Dark, indulgent chocolate, dark fresh brewed coffee as well. Vanilla bourbon and some nice woody flavors too. This is a VERY good tasting beer. They hit the nail on the head pretty hard here.

Mouthfeel and drinkability are great for the style. It has a good carbonation level and a slight hot bite from the alcohol, pleasant though if that makes sense. Starts sweet and ends nice and warm. You can't really taste the hops, but there is a slight bitterness in the mouthfeel from the hops. Full bodied and well balanced. Really digging it. Big and aggressive in flavor, bold and strong. A sipper with full flavor. I love this beer! Thanks bpfrush for an awesome trade!

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2012 03:54:49 | More by AndyAvalanche

sukwonee

Washington

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

A: another ugly looking beer from CW. Dark reddish brown, not completely opaque, but not transparent either. Almost no head. Not much lacing.

S: Bourbon, coffee, chocolate, vanilla, brown sugar, roasted malt, excellent smell!

T: Tastes great. Oak, vanilla, bourbon, coffee, chocolate, brown sugar, molasses, and some hop bitterness in the finish. Gets a 5 from me.

M: Similar to BBBW, this stout also is too thin and flat.

O: I don't like how this beer feels in my mouth, but it smells and tastes great. It has much less booziness compared to the BBBW. Great brew!

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2012 02:30:53 | More by sukwonee

uwmgdman

Wisconsin

4.48/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This bourbon barrel stout pours black with a moderate tan head that diminished to a skim and left a small but consistent lacing down the glass. The aroma is moderately roasty, bittersweet, a good amount bourbon and a bit of oak. Very nice. The flavor initially hits as bourbon, then chocolaty, roasty malt and finally oak with reemergence of bourbon at the swallow. The mouthfeel is full and velvety smooth with a pleasantly dry finish. Overall a treat, do yourself a favor and pick it up.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2012 02:29:10 | More by uwmgdman

jjayjaye

New York

4.47/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours an opaque dark brown color with a full finger fully tan head that resists fading. A significant amount of lacing is present.

The aroma is milk chocolate and sweet malt. Reminds me of a tootsie roll.

The mouthfeel is very smooth and creamy, like a milk shake. A nice heavy body without being syrupy.

The flavor is equally smooth and chocolaty roast malt. There is a nice lingering presence of coffee and bourbon in the end.

You can barely smell the alcohol, but the 9.5% is well hidden on the palate. Quite drinkable.

This stuff is awesome.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2007 01:08:13 | More by jjayjaye

GbVDave

Illinois

4.47/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a St. Feuillien goblet. Thanks to neubernie for the hook-up!

Bottled Dec. 11 2008

A: Pours a tarry black (with faint ruby highlights) with a creamy, 1 finger, mocha colored head that doesn't hang around for too long and leaves a nice assortment of lacey specks and splotches on the glass. Pours a little on the thin side.

S: A heavenly combination of aromas. Bourbon, chocolate, over ripe dark fruit, caramel, cherry, molassas, vanilla, char, alcohol, and a pinch of coconut.

T: See above. Bourbon and chocolate compliment each other and don't allow one another to get stepped on. Rum soaked raisins, alcohol, dark chocolate covered cherry, vanilla, figs, pan seared molassas, espresso, plums, and wood.

M: Appeared thin upon first pour right out of the fridge. As it came up to temp it thickened considerably. An excellent mixture of sweet, bitter, and alcohol burn.

D: Fantastic! Drinks like a stout with half the abv. I was afraid that its' booziness would get in the way and affect the drinkability. No sir! The alcohol here knows its' place and does what it's told.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2008 02:03:59 | More by GbVDave

Pauly2X

Wisconsin

4.47/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Opaque black, thin quarter finger head.

S- Rich dark raosted malt aroma coupled with toffee and notes of vanilla.

T- Great complexity in terms of the malt showcasing toffee/chocolate notes along with a deep roasted and caramel character as well. A decent dose of hops comes out mid point to bring it all in. Very little alcohol in the rich finish.

M- Very rich, good smoothness.

D- Quite welcoming.

A very approachable "big" stout. Relatively mild for the style yet still packed full of flavor.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2009 04:16:01 | More by Pauly2X

GRG1313

California

4.47/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottled Jan. 2010; dated 2010; Brewers Reserve Series;

Pours black with a tan head that appears firm and then quickly fades.

Nose is pure sweet dark chocolate with hints of whiskied raisins.

Mouthfeel is lovely and very creamy rich. This one almost tastes like a coffee/mocha/dark chocolate milkshake. Delicious mouthfeel and texture, one of the nicest I've tried.

Flavors are all full, rich and creamy wonderful malted chocolate and sweet coffee with undertones of bourbon and red plums. This a very pleasant and most drinkable bourbon stout. Excellent.

Finish is all creamy sweet dark chocolate, whiskey and sweet espresso. Good! Note: Still good but fades in the glass a bit with only a little bit of time. Still, a very drinkable stout that's full of complexities and character.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2010 07:43:30 | More by GRG1313

pokesbeerdude

Colorado

4.47/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle courtesy of levifunk. Into a Stone IRS glass.

A: Very deep brown with a light tan head, not quite an inch thick that slowly recedes to a layer of bubbles that is slightly thicker around the edge of the glass. A few gobs of lacing.

S: At first a large note of coffee and burnt malts, underneath that there are some pretty distinct notes of bourbon and vanilla. As it continues to warm a large note of caramel and burnt sugars really come to shine. A few powdery cocoa notes really tie things together. A lot going on, and it smells great.

T: Initially there is a large burst of sweetness with a lot of components that I can't pick out, just this huge chocolatey/brown sugar/caramel/vanilla/molasses combination that fades into a long coffee roasted malt profile that lingers in the mouth for quite some time. A nice bit of oak on the finishes that dries out the big sweetness on the front end of it. Light bitter hoppy finish mixes well with the barrel and roasted malts. Pretty darn nice beer that isn't overwhelmingly bourbon or overwhelmingly stout.

M: Nice velvety mouthfeel, carbonation is a touch high, but is about right, helps make things a little creamy. Fairly sticky on the lips and in the finish, just a touch of booze that warms the whole way down.

O: Overall, nicely done, a very well made stout that is enhanced by a touch of bourbon and a little time aging in the cask. One of the better examples out there, as it isn't extreme in one direction or the other. Nice balance and blend, and I would love to try this again.

Thanks Levi!

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2011 03:50:09 | More by pokesbeerdude

Mississipping

Mississippi

4.47/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a very deep brown with notable clarity.  Essentially no head appears at all.  Rather, there are just a few patches that briefly rise out of the darkness and then recede to the edges to form a very thin ring.

S: Really nice barrel characteristics are evident right away.  Bourbon, vanilla, caramel, and oak.  Dark chocolate, roasted malt, and a touch of dark fruit.  Quite a bit going on, but the results from the barrel aging take the show in the aroma. 

T: Sweet to kick things off.  Chocolate, caramel, vanilla, oak, and brown sugar.  Transitions smoothly into a more roasty and bitter flavor comprised of roasted malt, bitter coffee, and a subtle hoppiness.  Slightly drying on the finish, which is a great transition from the largely sweet start.

M: Fuller side of medium bodied, just missing full-bodied.  Good level of carbonation to make it smooth, velvety, and even a little tingly; great for this beer.  Coating and slightly sticky, but not quite chewy.  Really nice feel on the palate. 

D: Absolutely delicious beer.  I was expecting the bourbon to be a bit more pronounced than it is, especially after smelling it, but there is a lot more going on to add great complexity.  Pretty well balanced and really tasty.  Alcohol is hidden pretty well, although there is a bit of heat at the end, which isn't unexpected or off-putting.  A really well done bourbon barrel aged stout.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2011 17:44:10 | More by Mississipping

mobius387

Wisconsin

4.47/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

poured into a deschutes snifter

appearance: black tar, nice 1" chocolate head. looks like it means business

aroma: a little weak here, but not bad. a nice chocolate and bourbon nose

palate: full-bodied, little to no carbonation, feels creamy in the mouth, you can feel the 9.5% but it doesnt blow you away

taste: just superb. strong flavors of chocolate, bourbon and graham that blend together perfectly. r-to the-obust

overall: just a flat out awesome brew by CW. i didnt think anything could touch their brewhouse coffee stout, but this is right there. very lucky to live in WI and have this readily available, it can stand up to the likes of other BA brews that are extremely hard to find. and all for only $11 a 4-pack? theres a reason why i bought over a case full of this stuff.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2012 02:50:49 | More by mobius387

Lemke10

Wisconsin

4.47/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I bought a 4pk of this at Woodman's in Janesville, WI for $10.29 in Late 2011.

Pours a very dark brown/black color with only a slight head. The scent is amazing with caramel malts, robust malts, bourbon, and sweet cocoa. Taste is smooth and mellow. Full of rich flavors that can be found in the scent. This beer puts your taste buds to the test! A fantastic sipping beer on a cold night in Wisconsin.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 06:10:38 | More by Lemke10

WankelEngine

Illinois

4.47/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a snifter

A: Pours opaque, dark brown. There is a tiny light tan head which fades to a few bubbles fairly quickly.

S: Coffee and bourbon leap out of the glass. Sweet vanilla, toffee and milk chocolate follow.

T: Sweeter than the smell. Opens with strong notes of vanilla and milk chocolate. The bourbon is subdued but delicious; it complements the sweetness perfectly. Coffee notes in the background which increase in potency as the beer warms. It finishes vanilla sweet with coffee.

M: Moderately thick with a decent amount of carbonation for a big stout. Slick and pleasant.

O: Fantastic. Vanilla, milk chocolate, bourbon and coffee all share the stage here. Well balanced and drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2012 02:20:51 | More by WankelEngine