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

lonestar4lunch

Texas

4.15/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a Maudite snifter with just the lightest had on top. I let this one sit out of the fridge for a good 25min to warm up some. The aroma is somewhat light but I am getting some malts, booze and some cherries.

Oh man, the bourbon and wood are for sure there. There is some sweetness that is like a caramel chew but it really doesn't stand out. The wood flavor is pretty much from the beginning to the end. Though it isn't harsh, like take the smell of those balsa wood planes when you were a kid and make it a flavor. Kind of awesome actually.

There is hardly any carbonation and it very drinkable. Was so glad to see this again for 2011. It is just one of those winter seasonals I don't mind paying for. Very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2012 03:05:15 | More by lonestar4lunch

david18

New York

3.98/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had a small draft of this at the Amsterdam Ale House on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. A very good beer, especially for a "Winter Warmer" which I typically don't like. The bourbon was very present and added a lot to this beer.

Color was lighter than I expected, a dark copper with a low amount of carbonation.

Aroma was a great balance of roasty malt, hops and the bourbon/barrel.

Flavor as well was very balanced and had a great warming to it without any of that crazy fruitiness or spiciness that you can get from winter ales.

A great beer drank at the perfect time of year for it.

Serving type: on-tap

01-24-2012 23:48:50 | More by david18

tut2528

Illinois

2.8/5  rDev -22.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

poured into pint glass

S: hops and malt dominate the aromas, there's also some fruits present mainly apples and cherries. there is a slight burn of alcohol.

T: very bold bourbon and very strong alcohol. There is a quick taste of sweetness from the fruits described above and hops but almost all aspects are ruined by the intense alcohol character.

Now I know why this one hasn't moved off the shelves. Very disappointing. Everything seems off.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2012 04:21:24 | More by tut2528

whatthehull

California

3.38/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Tulip

2011 edition

A - Nice copper color, half finger white head and some slight lacing

S - Not a lot of nose. Malt, yeast, some spices, wood, soil, some booze and a slight hop

T - Wood, whiskey, earth, winter and fall spices, slight vanilla, flowers, hop comes in and out, a bit of booze, roasted malts, sugar, nutty, an almost Belgian yeast note and lots of minerally soil

M - Medium minus body, no acidity, low complexity, medium minus balance and medium finsih

D - Very drinkable ale, a good starter for people who want to have a "big" or "bigger" craft brew. Okay for a winter warmer, nice and refreshing but not much else to ad

Final thought - $13 and only 9.4%. Way to high of a price for a beer that is just OK. I would get one a year if it was half the price

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2012 07:32:56 | More by whatthehull

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

3.33/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Bottle from AJ's Fine Foods on North Central in Phoenix. 22oz into a chalice, 2011 vintage bottled August 21 of the year.

Poured a translucent brownish orange, with about a finger of white head. A bit of lace and a film of retention. Nose has some orangey hop notes that are a bit resinous, a touch of oak, vanilla and only a slight suggestion of bourbon. Taste has quite a bit of the same, orangey-like hop notes (which, as I move through the bottle, come across as more and more artificial), with lots of oak, butterscotch - almost along the lines of an Innis & Gunn. Some bourbon flavour, without any bourbon burn. A hint of spice, bitter in the finish with a dash of alcohol. Heavy medium body and carbonation is quite low, slightly more drinkable than some pure 'sippers' out there. Too sweet for my liking though, and lacks any real complexity to make this stand out. Despite the nice looking bottle and packaging, this was certainly not worth the $14 I dropped on this. 22oz ended up being too much, half of this was disposed of.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2012 03:01:15 | More by liamt07

GilGarp

Colorado

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

Bottled last fall, 2010.

Server cool into a goblet, Bourrrbon is a striking red color with great clarity.

Aroma is sweet and boozy with obvious bourbon barrel influence.

Flavor is strong with heavy bourbon character. Unfortunately not a lot else going on. Burr is a great hoppy beer but this aged version doesn't have much depth.

Mouthfeel is smooth and the alcohol is subdued.

Overall not a bad beer if you like bourbon but otherwise not much to like.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2012 02:13:59 | More by GilGarp

bluejacket74

Ohio

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

22 ounce bottle, Fall 2010 (stamp on bottle says October 2010) vintage. Served in a nonic pint glass, the beer pours a reddish/copper color with about an inch light tan head. Head retention and lacing are both good. Aroma is a bit boozy, the brew smells like bourbon, vanilla, coconut, caramel malt and some dark fruit. It tastes like bourbon, vanilla, caramel malt, coconut, and a little bit of sweet spices and dark fruit. But the bourbon flavor in this brew is stronger compared to the other ones. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's coating, smooth, and has moderate carbonation. Aging this brew for a little more than a year certainly hasn't hurt it. I thought it was good, now I might have to buy a bottle of the 2011 version to try.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 00:52:41 | More by bluejacket74

flexabull

California

3.25/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Sampled last night at the Alehouse.

Pours a bright orange/amber color with a pretty good off white head.

Aromas are very bourbon forward, boozy, with some roasted nuts, light cola, and mixed spices.

Taste is a bit of a let down. Caramel malt sweetness, light cola, some nuttiness, and a general booziness. But it lacks complexity, and comes off as an odd mixture of booze and spices.

Thin, but smooth mouthfeel, but leaves a bit to be desired.

Overall, this is ok. I really enjoyed Brrr, but this treatment of that beer doesn't work all that well. I guess it's something to try once, but not something I'd like to revist.

Serving type: on-tap

12-23-2011 18:04:15 | More by flexabull

StielBier

Georgia

2.5/5  rDev -30.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Poured from 22 oz bottle into snifter.

Very disappointed.

Poured a rich off-white head that, within seconds all but disappeared.

Immediate smell of toffee/caramel with a hint of chocolate that quickly fades.

The flavor has a hint of wood and a sweet malty undertone. The flavor quickly fades leaving a slight bitterness behind.

Puts a light coating on the mouth that quickly turns to water and fades away.

I had such high hopes for this beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2011 04:08:28 | More by StielBier

DavidST

Texas

4.22/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22 oz bottle into a goblet, bottled in Oct 2010. This pours a hazy tea color with a very small short lived bad. The smells are of toffee and caramel malts with a little bourbon. Feel is medium to thick with a little extra carbonation. The taste is pretty good, more bourbon taste than I expected with the smell, along with the load of malts, pretty great stuff.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2011 02:52:00 | More by DavidST

Cyberkedi

Georgia

4.38/5  rDev +21.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Strong aroma has a decided overtone of bourbon-soaked wood, as well as fruity and malty tones. It pours a beautiful clear golden amber with a decent light golden tan head. Flavor has a strong woody bourbon overtone, which dominates the flavor but still lets through malt and apple/pear notes, plus just a hint of caramel. Smooth texture has slightly above average body and quite a bit of fizz, leaving a tingly, woody finish. This is a bold beer for bold people.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2011 23:14:33 | More by Cyberkedi

MattyG85

Minnesota

3.9/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured from 22 oz. bottle into a Surly Darkness chalice glass. 2011 vintage bottled on 8/12/11.

Appearance: Pours a bright and clear brownish amber orange with a moderate amount of bubbles. Decent two fingers of off white head that quickly fade into a thin patchy layer.

Smell: Smells a lot like bourbon. Has a fair amount of woody oak and vanilla along with caramel and toffee malts that are lightly roasted. Also some light hints of the typical winter warmer spices of cinnamon and ginger. A little bit of alcohol. Oak and vanilla stand out the most.

Taste: Big taste of bourbon, oak, and vanilla up front. Caramel and toffee malts come towards the finish along with some light hints of winter spices. Also a little taste of alcohol. The oak and vanilla flavor is pretty strong while the malts and spices are subtle. Somewhat sweet but not overbearing.

Mouthfeel: Light to medium bodied with a moderate level of carbonation. Feels thin for such a high abv barrel aged beer but it is easy to drink and the alcohol heat is mild considering.

Overall: Quite an interesting take on a winter warmer. Oak and vanilla flavors are nice. Could of been a little more full bodied.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2011 05:53:16 | More by MattyG85

JackieTH

Minnesota

3.48/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle dated Aug-20-11.

Poured a clear lighter shade of amber with a thin layer of tan foam that receded quickly and didn't leave much if any lacing. Smell was light elements of bourbon wood- vanilla and cherries and a bit of alcohol. Taste was quite the same with vanilla and cherry elements, mild maltiness reminds on this is a beer and not the leftover watery remnants of an inexpensive Kentucky bourbon on the rocks.. Mouthfeel was medium and held together okay however my overall impression was as somebody else mentioned 'bland'. There is just enough of an initial hint of bourbon elements to get a person excited...but like that...it's gone.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2011 05:30:53 | More by JackieTH

bagpiper2005

Idaho

3.4/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pour: Clear red-amber in color. Small ring of tan head with minimal lacing left on the glass and OK retention.

Smell: Rather subtle aroma with a definite bourbon note up front. Underlying tones of vanilla and some other sweetness which I can't make out. Will move on to the taste to figure it out.

Taste: Once again, bourbon notes are more or less the forefront in this brew. Small hint of vanilla on the palate, and a slight spice note. The finish is very warm and very alcoholic. A bit bland overall, however.

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body, medium carbonation. Kind of thin given the ABV. A bit of smoothness despite the alcoholic back end.

Drinkability/Overall: It's an alright beer. The taste is pretty good, and it's definitely warming. It's palatable, but it doesn't blow me away by any stretch of the imagination.

Final Notes: Just doesn't live up to the intense brew that a good winter warmer should. It has the ABV but not the bold, assertive flavors to back it up. Quite enjoyable otherwise. Not worth the hefty price tag, but you might want to check it out if you're a fan of bourbon.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2011 00:49:27 | More by bagpiper2005

hoptualBrew

Florida

4.15/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22oz bottle of the 2011 vintage shared with my buddy at Hurricane Wings in Estero - thanks to Chris, the owner, for shoutin this one out to me as a recommendation.

Poured into Unibroue tulip a moderate burnt woody brown with a mellowed light tan head. A good amount of legs hang out on the glass. Smell is bourbon forward to say the least, literally smells like a mild version of Maker's Mark with a sweeter note. Taste follows through the same, but balanced way more than I thought from getting the nose. Sweet malts, vanilla, oak, bourbon all give equal parts to combine for a smooth & tasty bourbon barrel aged brew. Body was spot on too, moderately full but light enough to not overwhelm one with heaviness from body & taste.

Overall, the bourbon was spot on in this one & for its price and availability - you need to get some. Was $13 at the bar, but I had seen it for $10 at bottle shops. Solid price @ both places!

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2011 02:12:12 | More by hoptualBrew

mdfb79

New York

3.63/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

From 11/22/11 notes. Had on tap at FireWorks in Arlington, VA. Poured in a snifter.

a - Pours a reddish brown color with one inch of tan head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of bourbon, oak, vanilla, light spice, and lightly roasted malts. Bourbon is very strong but I'm definitely enjoying it in the nose.

t - Tastes of bourbon, oak, spices, vanilla, alcohol, and some roasted malts. Bourbon again is strong but a little too much for me here in the taste.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation. A bit of alcohol warmth here.

o - Overall a decent beer, but a bit too strong for me. I think with some time on it it could be a lot better, and would age it if I had it in a bottle.

Serving type: on-tap

11-28-2011 22:16:28 | More by mdfb79

peacebone116

California

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

2011 bomber poured into Delirium snifter on 11/18/11.

A: Nice clear honey colored body with quickly fading white head.

N: Oak and vanilla bourbon are the primary scents.

T/M: This beer has an incredible flavor while cool. The bourbon really dominates the flavors, with a wonderfully strong vanilla and booze note. The alcohol is incredibly warm. The beer really does lack a middle, however, with a very weak body. The mouthfeel is a little light considering the style and richness of the booze, which is really most noticed by the lack of malt.

Really not a bad beer, but it does seem to miss the mark with regard to the middle--the beer could use a stronger grain presence. I really do enjoy the intense bourbon flavors though, so this some what makes up for the lack of body.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2011 02:43:09 | More by peacebone116

ElGordo

Oregon

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

2011 vintage sampled at a group tasting of several new releases. Pours a pretty orange-tan color with just a hint of a creamy white head. Aroma is big on the bourbon, with strong notes of wood, vanilla, and a spicy note of caraway or anise. Palate is rich and sweet, with a lightly fruit hop profile mingling with the assertive malts and the strong bourbon edge, leading up to a very warm finish. This is a very nice beer right now, but I think a few months of aging will round out the edges and make this an excellent beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2011 06:37:44 | More by ElGordo

mithrascruor

California

3.38/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

'11 on-tap at Callahan's, San Diego.

Poured a slightly hazy dark amber color. Minimal head, with little retention. I really couldn't get any aroma off of this beer. Good malt taste with caramel and allspice. Unfortunately the flavor gets milder and milder over just a few sips - so it began to lose me a bit. There's a bit of bitterness in the aftertaste. Overall it is a very smooth beer. It is medium-bodied, with light (yet very prickly!) carbonation. An enjoyable and mild (in a good way) barrel-aged winter warme.

Serving type: on-tap

11-15-2011 03:02:36 | More by mithrascruor

rtaps

California

3.58/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

barrel aged brrrbon "11

Pours a deep orange with a red tint when held to the light. Forms a good size finger n a half head that hold very little retention. You can see the carbonation through the beer until the head subsides. Leaving no lacing behind on the glass.

Alcohol is mainly what is smelt. and i think im picking out very mild hints of caramel

sweet with caramel. finishing/ leaving behind the bourbon flavor in back of throat.

Overall all i'd have to say it a decent beer, but not worth the $12.99.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2011 03:48:26 | More by rtaps

eschultz

Maryland

4.45/5  rDev +23.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Fall 2010 Barrel Aged Brrrbon #3

Appearance:
Clear amber color with a tall two finger tan head

Aroma:
Crisp, slightly hoppy and citrusy with a hint of vanilla

Taste:
Creamy, vanilla front with a slight hoppy/fruitiness and a nice carmel finish

Mouthfeel:
Very smooth bodied and a very light carbonation

Opinion: Very nice smooth beer. Not to strong of flavors but a nice balance of an aged winter warmer and bourbon. Nice beer for a relaxing evening

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2011 22:20:38 | More by eschultz

Zorro

California

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

Clear bronze colored ale with a scant off-white colored head.

Smell is lightly sweet with vanilla and bourbon there but not super strong. Vanilla and coconut stand out in this. Still, not the most aromatic ale.

Starts out semi-sweet with big coconut and vanilla. Whiskey is in here but it doesn't take over like in some beers. Little bit of spice here but only cinnamon stands out from the bourbon. Decent hop bitterness.

Mouthfeel is on the thin side; bourbon adds no body at all.

Overall an OK beer. I would buy again if it were $5 a bottle or less and I wanted a cheap bourbon barrel beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2011 02:30:47 | More by Zorro

StoneBrewFanatic

Virginia

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

A - Pours hazy copper with ruby hues into my snifter with less than a finger of head that dissipates quickly and leaves minimal lacing.

S - Sweet caramel malts, earthy hops, lots of oak, notes of bourbon, vanilla and dark fruit.

T - Bourbon is much more present here, very woody, caramel malts, vanilla, toffee, and some spice with kind of a boozy finish.

M - Feels a little thin with the big woody flavors.

O - This is decent and has potential but just not quite on the mark.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2011 03:21:01 | More by StoneBrewFanatic

IKR

California

3.05/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance: Dark golden-brown. Small beige head that dissipated quickly. Good looking beer.

Smell: Very mild Bourbon aroma with some mild fruity notes.

Taste: Semi spicy musky taste with possibly some faint Bourbon notes. I get some hops in the fairly dry finish. Very subdued and thin tasting.

Mouth-feel: Light body with a modest level of carbonation. Very thin feeling.

Overall: I'm missing the flavor and body of the beers I usually drink. The beer doesn't have any objectionable characteristics but it faults are "sins of omission". My tastes gravitate to upfront flavorful beers. I just find this one lacking.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2011 04:31:28 | More by IKR

smakawhat

Maryland

4.08/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle into a snifter glass. Vintage 2011

A very dark and clear orange amber body, consistent throughout but with hardly any head presence at all. Small collar seems to remain with some whispy top, head was a light caramel that disappeared very quickly. In sunlight though the body has a wonderful gorgeous ruby red color.

A real nice whiff first of cherry like fruit and spices, followed by bourbon style barrel aged notes of caramel, oak and thick vanilla. Really nice.

Taste is a mild mix of barrel aged thickness, but also some wet cherry body. Palate has a light caramel malt and warming spices, but also a very wet finish. Carbonation feels just interesting enough to not take anything away from the drink.

Overall rather enjoyable take on a winter warmer and a nice break from the giant barrel aged stout beers. I would have this again anytime, real nice nose on this too.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2011 18:35:27 | More by smakawhat