Barrel Aged Brrrbon (Brothers' Reserve Series) - Widmer Brothers Brewing Company

Kendo

New York

3.68/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured from the growler into a Piraat Tulip/Snifter-type glass. Body is black. No head - appears flat.

S: Some bourbon over dark malt, a touch of smoke or char. Not as strong as expected though.

T: Tannic, bourbony - but not overwhemingly so. Some charcoal/char over roasted barley. Lingering charcoal or woodsy bitterness.

M: Thin - surprisingly so. It's flat, but that might be because the keg was tapped awhile ago.

O: It's OK. Flavor is actually good, but it loses points on everything.

Serving type: growler

05-21-2011 02:19:31 | More by Kendo

bonkers

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Went over to a friends last night and he had a surprise for me. It was poured into standard pint glasses. The pour was copper with a medium white head, light lacing. The aroma is sweet, vanilla and bourbon. The beer was sweet, some honey. The main theme was light bourbon, very warming but not overwhelming. The beer was medium in body and had a sticky mouthfeel. The beer was dangerously drinkable. A good beer, but overpriced.

Serving type: growler

12-20-2010 03:06:19 | More by bonkers

srhoadsy

Florida

4.28/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

2011 bottling. Served slightly chilled into a snifter.

Pours a cloudy copper color with very slight head and no lacing.

Strong aromas of caramelized sugars, dried fruit and vanilla.

Flavors of caramelized sugar, candied citrus peel, toasted coconut with a touch of booze.

Medium to heavy bodied with a surprisingly crisp finish on the tongue. Mild and sweet aftertaste with just a hint of alcohol burn.

Surprised at some of the lower scores on this one. Maybe the aging helped this one immensely, but I can definitely say this was one of the better beers I've had in a while. Kicking myself for not having cellared several more bottles of this.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2013 00:21:01 | More by srhoadsy

khensley

Washington

4.28/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Red in color, spider web lacing, faint rings per sip.

Smells like black liquorish in the woods.

Sweet front of tongue, intriguing bubble-gum/mike and ike's type of finish. Intriguing transition from sweet, to tart, to bitter in the back of the throat. Very sophisticated profile of flavor. Alcohol content is masked in the myriad of flavors that present themselves. A truly one of a kind flavor, which makes this beer worth sampling.

Big enough to fill the mouth, but not too big to be chewy. A bit undefined in the tongue tickle, but not so much than I mind.

I'm taken back to my days of a bourbon aficionado, when I drank too much whisky and coke. This beer tastes as close to whisky and coke as I could possible imagine. I love whisky and coke! Never saw this coming. How did they do it? A whole new category of beer. Try it, at least for the sake of sampling a one of a kind beer!!

Serving type: on-tap

05-03-2013 07:41:57 | More by khensley

brewdlyhooked13

Ohio

3.65/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

From Fall '10

Appearance - pours a cloudy light reddish amber. A thin head of tan breaks up quickly, just a scattered cover after setup, yet somehow manages some impressive lace patterns, apparently from the collar.

Aroma - faintly malty, only because the vanilla and wood are pretty dominant. Not an aggresive smelling beer by any stretch, but it's obviously bourbonized.

Taste - some light toastiness to the malt, going a bit bitter mid-palate as wood, spices, mild caramel, and some abv heat kick in. The wood continues to show on the aftertaste, providing a little twangy bite on the finish. Ends warmly, decent lingering boozy flavor but not especially layered or complex.

Mouthfeel - smooth, weighty, low key carbonation. Very enjoyable.

Overall - a fine sipper for the last few weeks of winter '13, it aged nicely.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 02:26:31 | More by brewdlyhooked13

TheSixthRing

California

3.09/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Had on -tap at Final Gravity in Roseville, CA

Appearance - A clear, reddish copper served to me with a thin, off-white head.

Smell - Smells like watered down bourbon. Sweet, oaky and boozy.

Taste - Follows the nose: watered down bourbon. Touches of caramel. Boozy. Not much else to describe.

Mouthfeel - Medium in body with low carbonation. Smooth. Goes down easy enough.

Overall - Call me unimpressed. Truly tastes like bourbon that's been cut with water. That's it. Really nothing else to it. Definitely a beer that won't be on my future want list.

Serving type: on-tap

03-09-2013 20:55:19 | More by TheSixthRing

secondtooth

Indiana

3.71/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a rich amber, with limited head of carbonation, and not much noticeable lacing.

Nose is some vanilla and oak.

Taste is rich and sweetly malty, but I don't get much of the vanilla-like bourbon tones. The finish does showcase the warm whiskey character, though. Comparable to Alltech Brewing's Bourbon Barrel Ale, this one's not bad, though perhaps a tad high on the price ($14.99/bomber).

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 03:30:52 | More by secondtooth

ranger60

New Jersey

3.09/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Had it on tap at Buckeye Beer Engine.

A - dark caramel color, almost looks like a dark cream soda. off white head that really laces the glass.

S- picking up hops, not much else overly characteristic.

T- tasting alcohol more than anything. some hops, and if I let it linger in my mouth and think about it, I'm picking up the bourbon.

M- a bit harsh and strong alcohol.

O- not bad, but disappointing for a bourbon aged.

Serving type: on-tap

01-28-2013 18:31:36 | More by ranger60

Amalak

New York

4.03/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A. It has a nice caramel color with a slight haziness to it. Some bubbles, small head.

S. A metallic malt scent.

T/M. It has a balanced malty taste. Some hops and a bit bitter. A slight alcohol taste, but not overbearing. Smooth and full bodied.

O. Very nice, smooth beer. For a winter warmer, it's a very nice offering.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 23:31:08 | More by Amalak

JayQue

Virginia

3.73/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Overall this is pretty good. Was expecting an overly sweet bourbon and caramel concoction. Other than the strong alcohol presence, this was nicely balanced and even a bit muted.

Poured a murky dark orange color with a small but stubborn off white head and some good lacing into a pint glass. Smell was fairly light, some oak and bourbon but not that pronounced.

Taste is pretty good. THe bourbon and oak were not overdone, some bready and sweet malts evened things out and there was even a mild hoppy presence.

The dominating mouthfeel aspect was the strong alcohol presence. I had this sitting over a year, and it was still "hot". The alcohol is a bit overdone but after all this is a slow sipping winter beer.

I drank the whole thing myself over a few hours. A fairly nice accompaniment for a cold night.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 16:37:13 | More by JayQue

KickbacksSteve

Florida

3.95/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Kickbacks in Jax. Poured into a snifter. 2012 vintage. Off-white head, moderate retention on a slightly hazy, copper body. Clear and soapy, sticky lacing. Aroma includes (suprisingly) earthy piney hops with some citrus. Slight vanilla, caramel malts and marmalade. Taste is again dominated by earthy hops and bitterness, some caramel malts again and vanilla sweetness. Not at all what I expected, very drinkable for the abv and quite tasty.

Serving type: on-tap

12-30-2012 06:21:35 | More by KickbacksSteve

McD0uche

California

3.55/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle into a tulip glass:

Pours a reddish, orangey brown color. Looks like your typical ale. A good amount of lacing boils up and subsides after a moment. Fairly sticky lacing rings the glass. A deep whiff earns me the scent of apples, but is a bit muted. I wonder what else is in there. A quaff reveals the flavor of apples, toffee, dark fruits, malts, vanilla, and cream. A little smokey. Overall, an enjoyable arrangement of flavors. Mouthfeel is dry and light, and the flavor radiates well. I wouldn't mind revisiting this one in the future.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 02:51:23 | More by McD0uche

TwelveOunces

Kentucky

3.13/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Bomber poured into a tulip
2012 Vintage

A- A dark amber orange, very clear. One finger of an off white head. Some alcohol legs.

S- A little bourbon, a light spiciness and cinnamon. A slight oak.

T- A little oak and bourbon at front, very light. A big alcohol flavor which is surprising. A slight spice on the tongue. A little hop bitterness. No offensive flavors but not too many great ones either.

M- A light body, and too light for the size of the beer. An strong alcohol feel and burn which is surprising.

O- Quite disappointed. Was expecting much better, especially for the price.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 00:53:01 | More by TwelveOunces

UCLABrewN84

California

3.5/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle pour at the BevMo Holiday Beerfest held at Golden Road Brewing in Los Angeles, CA.

2012 vintage.

Pours a clear dark orange with a foamy orange-tan head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, caramel, wood, and slight bourbon aromas. Taste is much the same with a mild alcohol kick and a woody finish. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer that is a decent example of barrel aging.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 07:19:40 | More by UCLABrewN84

brentk56

North Carolina

4.23/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2012 version

Appearance: Pours a clear burnt orange with an inch of foam; rather nice bit of splashy lace

Smell: Toast, caramel, pine, vanilla and a moderate Bourbon aroma

Taste: Caramel and toast, with a developing pine character in the middle; at the same time, the Bourbon and vanilla elements also build; more Bourbon, after the swallow, but the base beer flavors balance out the whiskey; not very boozy, despite the ABV

Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with moderate carbonation

Overall: Reading through the reviews, I wonder whether the recipe may have changed here as I found this beer to be extremely well-balanced, with a very deft handling of the Bourbon in a way that really complements the base beer

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 22:17:01 | More by brentk56

JamesShoemaker

New York

3.95/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

22 oz 2011 vintage poured out into three regular size wine glasses. Thanks to RyanSchwam for this extra beer in a great trade!

A - pours a dark orange, a little brown, not unlike an English BW. Foam recedes quickly, lingers on the edge.

S - I like the smell, some bourbon notes, woody, sweet, flavorful.

T - also pretty good. I like the fact that it's not quite as sweet as some BBA brews. A little bit of caramel, woody.

M - meh. The carbonation hurts this beer, and maybe the extra age does too. The alcohol is undetectable.

O - a good brew. I'd like to try it on tap.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 21:56:30 | More by JamesShoemaker

pkalix

California

4.73/5  rDev +31.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

beautiful clear, caramel color with a nice topping of foam.
citrus aroma, some pine.
caramel front, pine-y hop flavor as it slides past the middle, and clean and refreshing finish. doesnt taste like there is alcohol in here, yet it says 9.4% abv
overall, i really like this. i like this 'alternate' version of the previous brrr i tasted and the bourbon barrel flavor goes hand in hand with the hops and 'pine'. this really is a great brew. however, i am not sure we are all reviwing the same beer, are we? my bottle says '12 and yet the reviews go all the way back to 2010. this appears to be an annual product and i noticed there was an '11 version also. the brewery's website even advertises the '11, but not the '12.... confusion, but who cares? darn fine product in my hands. and since i still dont know if aliens exist, i suppose i can live without knowing whether this review should be for a '12 . . . . but i gave the taste part a 5. this is an awesome job of producing beer. 9.4%....even...

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 20:57:12 | More by pkalix

kylehay2004

Florida

3.83/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Two finger off white head on a hazy amber orange body. Excellent retention and nice lacing. Flavors of vanilla, toasted malts, brown sugar, spices, bourbon, caramel and hints of toffee. Aroma hides under the thick head ad is mostly of candy sugar, dark fruits, orange peel and caramel. Medium body and moderate carbonation. A little oily on the palate. A lot of flavors in this one but for me they do tall come together in the end to form a memorable or great beer.

Serving type: on-tap

11-14-2012 12:59:36 | More by kylehay2004

PeterIngemi

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Split a 22oz bottle poured into a dfh snifter.

A: pours a nice brown ruby with a finger if slightly tanned head... Excellent lacing.

S: nice burbon on the nose along with light oak, I get notes of caramel, toffe, vanilla, mic maltiness.

T: much like the nose nice barrel aged notes over a nice malty base, kind of scotch ale like.... I get brown sugar and a citrusy note of wet mango along with toasted caramel and vanilla And a light touch of burbon. Also a touch of spices.

M: nice lush medium mouthfeel with creamy carbonation, nicley drinkable. A bit dry and Sticky on the finish.

O: this I a nice beer for a cold night... Very nice notes from the barrels, though they are not wet burbon notes, wich aloes tem to just add some nice barrel flavors to a tasty malt backbone... Nice.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 23:55:24 | More by PeterIngemi

BlurryVisi0n

New York

4.03/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in a Sam Adams signature pint glass. Vintage bottle October 2010 (limited release #3), poured 10/29/2012.

Appearance: Pours a semi-cloudy amber with heavy bubbles (small) on the body. Had slightly off white about 1/3" at best off a vigorous pour.

Smell: Very nice bourbon scent. Not too overwhelming but obviously a little room for improvement.

Taste: Complex and good. It has a light lager feel to it offset with a sweet taste that reminds you of a borderline carbonated whiskey,. It is lightly bitter but feels heavy in alcohol because of the bourbon taste that goes with it.

Mouth: Strongly sticky, you lay this glass down and you feel the after taste of brown sugar but of what real beer is supposed to taste like.

Overall: A beastly beer, I am not crazy to begin with on the bourbon or oaked aged beers but this one is a gem. I know there are different versions that might not live up to the expectations of this one aged two years just right did it for me. I have had this bottle for about a year and thought it was time. Enjoy and drink up....Salud!

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2012 04:43:11 | More by BlurryVisi0n

JHS123

4.5/5  rDev +25%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2011 Seasonal BARREL AGED BRRRBON is an amazing beer, enjoyed it today at the Foodie Festival in Westport CT. Its one of the more impressive offerings from one of the most impressive craft brewers nationwide. One of the highlights of an event that featured a diverse variety from Widmer, BluePoint, Goose Island, Southern Tier and a host of locals.

Widmer Brothers states: FOLLOWING THE INITIAL BREWING PROCESS OF BRRR, THE BEER WAS GIVEN A FRESH CHARGE OF HOPS DURING SECONDARY FERMENTATION AND THEN PUT INTO KENTUCKY BOURBON BARRELS AND AGED FOR FOUR MONTHS. AFTER BARREL AGING, THE BEER WAS ALLOWED A TERTIARY FERMENTATION FOR FINAL CONDITIONING BEFORE RELEASE.

22oz bottle.

Nice auburn copper pour.
Frothy with sweet smell reminiscent of oak with vanilla. Little bourbon smell mild not overpowering. Texture is slick with taste of sweetness coupled with some alcohol but not negative. Solid hops composition with a little bit of a burnt earthy smell and feel. Finishes spicy like the Falconer IPA but not as hoppy just peppery smoothness. Really enjoy the texture and taste of this beer. There's essentially no cloying bitterness as its nicely hopped but maintains a 40 IBU and its potent at 9%.

It's not hot like a bourbon but if you don't like bourbon or whiskey you probably won't like this but I highly recommend it as one of my favorites from Widmer where I think the SXNW and the Pitch Black and the Falconer IPA are spectacular.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 02:15:58 | More by JHS123

jondeelee

Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Barrel Aged Brrrbon (Fall 2010 release, reviewed Fall 2012) opens to a lovely sugary, malty, slightly alcoholic aroma. Immediately noticeable are big vanillas, caramels, brown sugar, and molasses, with strong support from rising wheat dough, floury baguette, and toast crust. The bourbon barrel aging is subtle, mostly adding touches of vanilla and oak, and is nowhere near the overwhelming whiskey aroma that sometimes happens with barrel aging. There is a good citrus note in the background, with lemon and pink grapefruit, as well as lighter pine notes from the hops. Fruit esters aren’t quite as powerful as the basic vanilla and brown sugar notes, but do include apricot and berry. As a whole, the nose is surprisingly light for a 9.4% ABV beer, and I expected much more in terms of bourbon. Instead, this comes across sugary and light, almost light a sugary fruit spritzer with just a touch of whiskey. The effect is pleasing, but does want for a bit more earthiness, including breads and bitterness, as well as gusto, to help balance things out.

On the tongue, the beer opens with a quick shot of brown sugar, then merges into a nice, satisfying mouthful of decent ale, with strong brown sugar, honey, and caramel notes, as well as toast crust, floury baguette, and rising dough. Bits of orange, apricot, and berry fruit esters add further complexity, and hops provide a light tinge of grapefruit and pine. The bourbon barrel aging is stronger here than on the tongue, initially providing a light oak and vanilla undertone, which gains in strength as the beer is held on the tongue and the sugars die off, so late in the mouthful a touch of charcoal and whiskey-like alcohol emerges. In subsequent sips many of the initial sugars and more nuanced flavors are lost under the bourbon and piney hops, and the beer begins to taste more like watery bourbon. The aftertaste is also dominated by watery bourbon and pine, and lingers for a short while. Mouthfeel is medium-light to medium, and carbonation is medium.

Overall, this is good fare, but not quite what I was expecting. The beer comes across well at first, but the bourbon notes, even though they’re somewhat watery, tend to dominate later mouthfuls, and the beer wants for a better malt base to help sustain the fruit and sugar notes. There’s also a slightly-too-large remnant of whiskey-like alcohol about the edges, and even more noticeable in the aftertaste, the malts not quite capable of hiding the higher ABV. The ultimate effect is that, despite the high ABV, this comes across as a mid-grade ale that was barrel aged for better flavor.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2012 19:33:45 | More by jondeelee

ngeunit1

California

4/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a hazy amber-orange color with a finger of frothy white head. The head fades down fairly quickly leaving behind some lacing.

S - Aroma is a full of oak, vanilla, and Bourbon, with some holiday spices, sweet toasted caramel and bready malts, dark fruits, and some booze.

T - Starts off with a mix of sweet toasted caramel malts, some light spices, vanilla, dark fruits, and some residual sugars. Through the middle, the oak and Bourbon comes through with some more spices and some bready malts. The finish is a mix of sweet caramel and bready malts with some dark fruit, Bourbon, oak, vanilla, spices, and some booze.

M - Medium-full bodied with moderate carbonation. Feels smooth with a sweet and warming finish.

D - Very drinkable. Nice barrel character balanced nicely by the big winter warmer.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2012 04:14:57 | More by ngeunit1

cdkrenz

Wisconsin

3.85/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Cellared for 2 years at 42.5 degrees.

The look is a light brown with nice head. The body is medium and the flavor of bourbon is evident. This is a nice, smooth, enjoyable brew. Whether or not the time in the cellar helped or hindered isn't really an issue with the beer because the characters of the beer are in good shape.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2012 01:33:21 | More by cdkrenz

DRyan

Texas

4.18/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottled Nov 2011, had 7/23/12

A: Dark Reddish orange with thin white head that slowly dissipates and laces nicely
S: Malt and whiskey and almost a tiny citrus underscent
T: Forefront is malt, middle of the tasting has a distinct bitter almost sour feel, and the end of the taste is all bourbon and warming alcohol
M: Thin and smooth. Very light carbonation.
D: Definitely a sipper, not a chugger. The alcohol is very apparent (probably because of the bourbon smell), so this lends its self to slow enjoyment.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2012 00:36:21 | More by DRyan