Bourbon Barrel Barleywine - Central Waters Brewing Company

BrewerB

California

4.45/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

mcc1654 sent this beer my way a while back and I've been looking forward to trying it ever since. Cheers and thanks again, Mike!

Great clarity, copper in color with a thin off-white/light tan foam. Not much in the way of lacing.

Honey, vanilla, oak, molasses, fruity esters all coming through in the nose. Bourbon also prominently featured. Complex and inviting aroma hints at the strength of this brew with alcohol being detectable though not hot or solventy.

Rich malt backbone combining with bourbon barrel aging leads to flavors of vanilla, toffee, and burnt sugar. Though difficult to pick up in the aroma, some citrusy hops can be spotted here in the flavor. Pleasant lingering caramel sweetness in the finish.

Medium-full bodied with moderate/moderate-low carbonation level. Smooth with warming from alcohol.

Overall this is one delicious beer. Complex array of flavors keeps my palette intrigued in taking sip after sip. My only regret is that I didn't ask for a couple bottles to cellar as I think this will only get better over the next few years and beyond.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2012 04:52:38 | More by BrewerB

jakeox

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -12.8%

05-19-2013 00:13:33 | More by jakeox

xdtfx

Illinois

4/5  rDev -7%

05-18-2013 17:28:00 | More by xdtfx

JOrtt

California

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%

05-18-2013 03:32:00 | More by JOrtt

OddNotion

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%

05-17-2013 14:27:50 | More by OddNotion

BarrelAgedBrian

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -7%

05-17-2013 04:03:30 | More by BarrelAgedBrian

Nachos4two

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

05-17-2013 02:55:29 | More by Nachos4two

Westuh

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%

05-16-2013 18:37:38 | More by Westuh

Rainblows

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

05-16-2013 14:29:48 | More by Rainblows

Pelican5

California

4.75/5  rDev +10.5%

05-16-2013 07:19:27 | More by Pelican5

Pecan

California

4/5  rDev -7%

05-16-2013 02:01:01 | More by Pecan

mvdillman

Indiana

4.75/5  rDev +10.5%

05-15-2013 18:18:52 | More by mvdillman

chrisp450

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

05-15-2013 02:44:47 | More by chrisp450

InspectorBob

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%

05-14-2013 22:04:45 | More by InspectorBob

langchops

Illinois

4.16/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

12 oz. Bottle poured into snifter

2013 Vintage

I was expecting more bourbon based on the reviews I've read here, but was a little disappointed by the lack of this. It's a smooth barleywine but I would not say this is a bourbon bomb by any means.

Solid barleywine, would drink this again

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 18:18:47 | More by langchops

lookrider

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%

05-14-2013 14:28:41 | More by lookrider

BUNZILLA

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

05-14-2013 02:17:12 | More by BUNZILLA

pk18

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

05-13-2013 20:19:48 | More by pk18

EROCK75

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

05-13-2013 15:48:05 | More by EROCK75

dasmusik

Minnesota

5/5  rDev +16.3%

05-13-2013 02:51:05 | More by dasmusik

wisrarebeer

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev -12.8%

05-13-2013 01:41:32 | More by wisrarebeer

ajzy

Wisconsin

5/5  rDev +16.3%

05-12-2013 21:52:51 | More by ajzy

sendbeer

Georgia

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%

05-12-2013 19:16:47 | More by sendbeer

MCImes

Minnesota

2.5/5  rDev -41.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

I like bourbon barrel aged anything, but CW goes way too far over the top with this beer. There is literally no beer flavor, its just bourbon nose, bourbon taste, bourbon finish.

I you LOVE bourbon this is YOUR beer. The bourbon is overwhelming. Its just booze, vanilla, and bourbon through and through. Very unbalanced. (this could be a good thing if you love bourbon)

Overall, if you cant get enough bourbon in your beer, this is for you. If you like a more balanced barrel flavor, there are better choices.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 18:59:19 | More by MCImes

Coldsnack

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%

05-12-2013 11:36:55 | More by Coldsnack