Bourbon Barrel Aged Winter Warmer - Rahr & Sons Brewing Company

OgreSanchez

5/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I got this on tap at The Gingerman's in Fort Worth. This might be what the Greek's were talking about when they wrote about the God's Ambrosia. If you have access to this hidden gem, you should grab as much as you can find. I hear you can get it in 22 oz bottles at Central Market in Dallas if you get a chance to go.

Serving type: on-tap

01-23-2013 02:32:28 | More by OgreSanchez

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3.85/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

On tap in snifter.

Dark color is little head. Full glass of beer.

Normally I don't like winter warmers, but the bourbon flavors take down the spices a notch. There is still spices after the wave of oak and bourbon. Caramel and chocolate with some dark fruits.

A little thinner in body with a touch of roast.

A nice treat and worth a try!

Serving type: on-tap

01-12-2013 02:27:34 | More by mothman

abeerwiseguy

Texas

4.75/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

From the tap at Fred's Texas Cafe in Fort Worth on Western Center served in a frosted schooner. It was hard for me let this beer sit there until it warmed to an acceptable temp. The smell alone caused me to drool.

When it arrived at the table it had a nice head that hung around for more than a few minutes. Very dark impenetrable color.

An amazingly rich collage of burbon, roasted malt, and vanilla aromas hits the nose like a sledge hammer.

On the taste, I was impressed to the point of immediately telling my spouse that she would be the designated driver as I was going to have another as dessert after our meal.

The roased malt, burbon, and caramel flavors all hit the tongue at once in a perfect symphony of flavorful bliss. No hops or other bitterness at all. I have been a fan of Rahr’s Winter Warmer for several years and this burbon cask conditioned variation is head and shoulders above that. But this is a rotating beer at Rahr and this year’s effort is also hugely better than what I have tasted from them over the past several years.

Very low carbonation with an incredibly thick and rich mouth feel that lingered for some minutes after each sip.

I am very much impressed by this effort from Rahr and hope they continue to produce such beers.

Serving type: on-tap

08-23-2012 18:09:22 | More by abeerwiseguy

jkanavel

Texas

4.28/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

A: Jet black with a sticky mocha colored head.

S: A little heavy on the alcohol. This is a huge beer, and smells like one. Low on the hops, high in the malt aromas.

T: Carmel, strong chocolate presence, smokey, a slight hint of bourbon/dried fruits. Plenty of alcohol comes through...very warming. Very complex and sweet, like a good brandy.

M: Full bodied, low carbonation. Satisfying. Just perfect for this style.

O: If Rahr could brew all their beers with this much care and attention to detail, they'd be the hottest brewery in the country. As it stands, this is something of an anomaly from them.

Serving type: on-tap

12-27-2011 23:05:14 | More by jkanavel

jamescain

Texas

3.88/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a 10oz pint glass at Draught House

Appearance: Mahogany with an off white head that fades into a thin lacing on the top of the beer.

Aroma: Bourbon, vanilla, sweet malt, toffee, caramel, coffee and chocolate. Very complex aroma I’m very excited about the first taste.

Taste: Slight alcohol warming with a big bourbon taste, I think with a little time this would mellow out and be even more enjoyable. Sadly the taste did not live up to the nose. The flavors were hard to distinguish because of the strong bourbon flavor.

Mouthfeel: Medium carbonation and medium body. I was expecting more body, but I guess for a winter warmer this what you should expect. There was a slight alcohol warming sensation.

Overall: Good offering from Rahr, this being the first beer from them I have ever tried. If they make it again I want to pick up some bottles for the cellar next time.

Serving type: on-tap

05-17-2011 15:54:58 | More by jamescain

brewdenver

Colorado

4.97/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

WOW! WOW! WOW! Had this on tap at the Medilsom Moth in Dallas, TX. Poured into a tulip.

I have had the KBS stout and this is right on par in my opinion. Outstanding stout aged in whiskey barrels. This beer was almost completely black even when held in the light. Strong head that had good retention and held on for sometime. Fingers and lacing were strong throughout. Smell was amazing with the whiskey really standing out, followed by roast malts, chocolate, and some caramel from the whiskey and caramel malts. I could not stop smelling this beer. Caramel, whiskey, roast malt, chocolate all hit the palette in perfect harmony. One not overpowering the other or leaving a lasting impression to deter another. Pure and utter goodness. This had equally impressive mouthfeel. Tantalizing the cheeks and tongue with perfect carbonation with a good thick mouthfeel perpetuated by the strong malt profile. This was one amazing beer and will be looking for it anywhere I can find it in Denver.

Serving type: on-tap

05-03-2011 04:14:33 | More by brewdenver

waterintobeer

Texas

4.63/5  rDev +11%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 3.5

This beer pours very dark with a slight head. The initial smell, revels oak, vanilla, bourbon and dark roasted malts. The tastepermeates from your mouth to your nose. The taste is rich with all of, the same nose characters with a rich maltyness. Mouth feel is great. A beer to sip on a cold night. Not to be missed!

Serving type: on-tap

01-16-2011 00:20:20 | More by waterintobeer

kiltedtxn

Texas

4.13/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This was found at Gingerman Fort Worth on July 18th, 2010.

This is the same version from December of 2009 that was aged in Makers Mark Bourbon barrels, only aged 6 more months in the keg.

A- Dark ruby to black in color, little to no head

S- A ton of vanilla, almost no cherries, very malty with a little chocolate

T- Big vanilla, moderately malty, no cherries

M- Slight high alcohol burn (not as much it originally had), very smooth creamy feel

D- Very drinkable, could drink it more often if available

I was wanting a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream to make a float but they were out. I was surprised that the cherries had dissipated to slight to non-existent, because it had such a huge presence in December of 2009.

Serving type: on-tap

07-27-2010 18:04:41 | More by kiltedtxn

Mora2000

Texas

4.63/5  rDev +11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Had on tap at the Fort Worth Flying Saucer and reviewed from notes. Rahr's Winter Warmer aged in Maker's Mark barrels, sounds interesting.

The beer pours a dark brown-red with a small tan head. The aroma is awesome, with some oak, vanilla, bourbon and a little roasted malt. The flavor is great as well, with tons of vanilla and oak character. You get a little bourbon and some spices as well as some dark fruit and some coffee and roasted malts. This is a complex masterpiece that is a great improvement over the regular Winter Warmer from Rahr and Sons. The beer has low carbonation and a thick mouthfeel. The alcohol is not that present in the flavor but the alcohol warming affect is great. I was sitting outside on the patio in about 40 degree weather and this beer warmed me up nicely. I wish they would bottle this because this is as good as any beer I have ever had from the state of Texas.

Serving type: on-tap

12-28-2009 05:11:27 | More by Mora2000

natelocc787

California

4.22/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Nice crimson red body with a light tan head. Notes of winter spices, oak, vanilla and dark cherry in the nose and taste. This beer tastes exactly like the Winter Warmer with an oaky vanilla profile (must be) from the bourbon barrels. I guess that's exactly what it should taste like but I didn't notice a remarkable difference between them. The mouthfeel was smoother in this version with the vanilla more pronounced. It's nice to see what a little barrel aging can do to a winter warmer. Great example, very drinkable. I was told it was between 8-11% but it tasted more like 6-7%. Very small nutty character in the finish which was dry for the style. A treat and great after dinner/late night beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-04-2009 01:42:03 | More by natelocc787

mjl21

California

4.43/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the Ginger Man in Fort Worth. Poured into a pint glass. Unsure of abv.

A-Pours a dark brown that lets a little bit of light through. It has a small tan ring that surrounds some film. Leaves a little lace in between sips.

S-This one is all about the bourbon, which my friend claimed was Makers Mark. Oak and vanilla are there. It picks up some coffee aroma as it warms. Hard to detect the base beer with all of the bourbon barrel characteristics.

T-Lots of vanilla and oak start it off. There is some spice from the base beer that hits midsip. I also get some cherry as well. The malt is both sweet and roast. Vanilla flavor returns in the back. It has a very oaky aftertaste. Like the nose, some coffee appears as it warms.

M-Thick and oily. It had a nice level of carbonation.

D-Really enjoyed this one. The abv was well hidden.

This was definitely a pleasant surprise. A really great non-hyped barrel aged beer. Too bad they don't release it in bottles to the public.

Serving type: on-tap

11-28-2009 18:06:40 | More by mjl21

spaceycasey

Texas

4.83/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served on tap at an area brewpub. Served into a snifter glass.

Appearance: Deep tawny brown, slightly reddish hue, slightly hazy, but carbonation bubbles rising to the top from first sip to last. Thick creamy head that stuck to the side of the glass like glue, forming beautiful lace.

Smell: Vanilla, oak, bourbon, roast and sweet malt.

Taste: Sweet malt with oak and vanilla hints, but prominant bourbon taste. Faint caramel notes. No hop presence.

Mouthfeel: Smooth and creamy - only moderate alcohol warmth.

Drinkability: An excellent beer - perhaps one of the top 3 I've ever had brewed in the state. Alcohol content limits the amount one could responsible consume, but this is a perfect night cap in my opinion.

Serving type: on-tap

01-18-2009 19:45:50 | More by spaceycasey

ElCommodoro

Texas

4.71/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75

This beer is hella-mazing. It smells like scotch. Seriously, I smelled it and couldn't figure out how to describe what I was smelling except, "whiskey?" It's got a pervasive smoked peat flavour and a real whiskey-like flavour despite the relatively low alcohol content. I don't know how it attains that flavour and bite at under 9% ABV. But it does an amazing job of it. Besides the peaty, woody, whiskey flavour, there's a character of overall sweetness and maltiness. Roasted malt and maybe a little bit of chocolate malt can be detected. This tastes to me like an exceptional Scotch ale, which certainly makes a nice winter warmer in my opinion. Very musty, very warm, and overall whiskey flavour. Yummm

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 06:19:06 | More by ElCommodoro

chanokokoro

Illinois

3.96/5  rDev -5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2011 Vintage poured from a 22 oz. bottle into an unbranded snifter

Pours a murky dark amber capped by a fluffy two finger khaki head. Some light lacing is evident, slightly above average retention. Caramel, toffee, light oaky notes, and some faint bourbon accents on the nose. Caramel, almond, toffee, coconut, vanilla, some light cocoa power and hints of chocolate maltiness . Finishes with toasted oak and gentle warm bourbon booziness. Heavy medium body to lighter full body. Creamy, smooth and silky. I tend to enjoy unspiced, more traditonal winter warmers. This brew fits the bill and the bourbon barrel is an added plus.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 05:42:06 | More by chanokokoro

MattSweatshirt

Texas

4.19/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A vigorous pour yields a couple fingers of khaki head on a opaque brown and red body.

Big dark fruit, caramel, vanilla, and oaky coconut goodness.

The flavor brings forth notes of dark fruit, caramel sweetness, light bourbon, and barrel character.

Light carbonation, medium bodied and super smooth.

So sad I've skipped over this before due to being a Rahr beer. This beer rules.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 23:16:28 | More by MattSweatshirt

LITTLESTHOBOUK

4.25/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Very hearty Winter Warmer, on the cusp of porter/stout. Full chocolate and bourbon attack on the nose, yet, sadly not quite reaching the same level of assault on the tongue, however, it is still worthy of full recommendation from this particular reviewer. I must admit to being a little biased as this is one of my local brewers, but, this fact notwithstanding, Rahr and Sons has a great team and consistently attempt to push the boundaries.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2013 00:25:39 | More by LITTLESTHOBOUK

hornsup

Virginia

3.88/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Winter 2012 version poured into a Sweetwater pint glass courtesy of a trade with sjs0187..thanks

A: Pours an amber murky brown color with no head at all and a small lacing around the edges. Very typical of the style

S: Was expecting more in this area....this smelled like a shot of Jim Beam. Very harsh...Get some wood in the back end of it after shaking my head from the whiskey...would expect about 12% abv from this alone

T: Tastes like a very sweet, coconuty whiskey shot. Load of vanilla in the middle. I personally dont like whiskey but this was a huge improvement on the smell as I was expected to be punched in the face with burning alcohol. Reminiscent of Beach Brewing's Blackfin barleywine....which I really enjoy.

M: Mouthfeel is medium bodied but has alot of depth. Coats your palate.

O: A solid bourbon barrel aged WW. The bourbon is definitely more pronounced in this brew than alot of its cohorts. The sweet coconuty, vanilla notes cut the alcohol and makes this beer grow on you as you continue to enjoy it. Its definitely a beer you sip, but is very acceptable for a cold winter's night. I would drink it again, but would not put a ton of effort into finding it...many others would substitute fine.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 06:28:50 | More by hornsup

whoneeds8

Texas

4.58/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

2010 Vintage (as it doesn't have the year on the label, this was the first year for bottling on the new line)

I've had this aging and thought I'd give it a try after being rather disappointed with the 2012 offering (which has replaced this one in the cellar).

Poured into a tulip glass black with a one finger off white head. Good retention and lacing. The scent of bourbon was noticable just pouring the beer into the glass. Once you get past that, there are also scents of carmel and chocolate malts.

The taste has a rather vanilla oak taste that melts into the bourbon. Then it brings out the chocolate flavors. This vintage is very well put together. The carbonation is still great and the body is medium.

I didn't review the 2012 bottle I had a couple weeks ago. But I was VERY disappointed with it. After opening this 2010 Vintage, I'm even more disappointed with the 2012. I'll have to review that bottle in two years.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 00:42:26 | More by whoneeds8

inlimbo77

Delaware

4.48/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22oz, Winter 2012
KtG snifter

A: Pours a deep brown almost black with reddish hues on edges. Initially about a half finger of light tan head. Alcohol feet.

S: Good amount of bourbon on nose. Vanilla. Roasted notes. Dark chocolate. Slight coconut notes. Dark fruits.

T: Really nice soft vanilla from the barreling on the tip of the tongue. Roasted notes. Dark fruits: fig and prune and raisin as it warms up a bit. Goes great with dark cocoa chocolate. No alcohol burn.

M: Full bodied. Great mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 14:25:44 | More by inlimbo77

claspada

New Jersey

3.73/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2011 release.

Pours a fairly dark brown color with some ruby hues and a thin khaki colored head that recedes rather quickly.

Aromas are all barrel forward initially. Bourbon, oak and vanilla are all out in the forefront with emerging light toast and toffee in the background. Maybe a little cocoa as well.

The tastes follow the nose with cocoa, toffee and toasted bready maltiness which is immediately taken over by the robust bourbon induced flavors of oak and vanilla. Some warming alcohol emeges as it warms as well.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium to low carbonation. Finish is pretty barrel heavy and sweet.

Overall this was a fine end of the night kind of beer but it's fairly one dimentional. The base beer is merely a vehicle for the barrel induced flavors and this falls into the overly barrel forward beer category for me. A bit much to attempt to finish a bomber by yourself.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 15:10:16 | More by claspada

BigBarley

Texas

4.48/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - pours rich, deep brown, almost black, ruby highlights show when held up to light. 1 finger of tan head that quickly recedes to a standard foam ring. Looks very close to a stout

S - Bourbon up front, dtrong oak notes, slight vanilla, sweet chocolate, hint of molasses, more warm bourbon, sweet potatoe, slight creamy smell

T - Whiskey and chocolate blend, spicy wooden characterweet dark malts, mild alcohol flavor, slight coffee bitterness. Imagina a stout but replace the bitter roasted character with a strong whisky note. Slight coconut, very faint maple, creamy coffee, whisky all over

M - Thick and creamy, carbonation tends more towards the creamy than the fizzy. Lends to an over all creamy beer experience. Very enjoyable and smooth

O - Delicious and strong. Flavorful, packed with all sorts of smell and taste, the kind of beer that keeps you interested, and develops as it warms. An all day drinker for sure.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 16:17:30 | More by BigBarley

beerdrifter

Germany

4.15/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Picked this up at Las Colinas Beverage in Dallas. Dark mahogany, almost black pour with one finger head that fades quickly with decent lacing. Huge bourbon nose with hints of oak, vanilla, dark fruits, and chocolate. The taste follows suit with the bourbon really dominating again. Nicely complex with hints of raisins, oak, vanilla, maple, chocolate, and some subtle black cherries and butterscotch. The mouthfeel is smooth and creamy, albeit a bit thin at times, with a gentle boozey warming on the finish. Overall, this was a very surprising and delicious beer. This is my first experience with Rahr & Sons, but definitely not my last.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2012 04:49:17 | More by beerdrifter

afluentturtle

Texas

4.7/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served in a pint glass from a 22oz bomber.

Appearance: A dark reddish/black, not see through by any means but a little bit of light can be seen penetrating through.

Smell: Bourbon, chocolate, holiday spices, a little but of vanilla.

Taste: Very good to say the least. When cold mostly chocolate and malts, a little bourbon. As it comes to room temperature the spice, and vanilla really show up. A little bit of fig, oak and raisin is detectable.

Mouthfeel: Almost stoutish, velvety smooth, a little alcohol lingers

Overall: Very good beer, for sure will be trying to score a few more to see how they age and for regular consuming. Have not had the un aged winter warmer to compare, but this is a delicious beer from Rahr and I think on of their best so far.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 23:18:46 | More by afluentturtle

pschul4

Illinois

4.35/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Pours a medium brown but sits very dark in the glass. Thanks to some jackass (me) pouring it there is 2/3 head and 1/3 beer to start.

S- Hints of whiskey and booze (in a good way). Other undeterminable sweet scents that I'm enjoying. Sorry this part of the review sucks, I'll get better with time like a watch (wtf does that mean lil wayne?)

T- Southparkdetectivenice.jpg. So complex, chocolate, roast malts, bourbon, honey, booze, more chocolate and some pine needles. This is awesome

M- Pretty flat due to said asshole pouring the beer but decent thickness

O- Really good, would have again in a heartbeat

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 21:26:57 | More by pschul4

Labeorphile

Texas

4.43/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a pint glass from a 22 oz bomber.

Really dark. Can't see through it, even when held up to the light, save for some auburn highlights toward the bottom. Minimal head, even with a relatively strong pour, and what there is quickly disappears.

Aroma is really enticing. Sweet malts with definite hints of the Bourbon barrel.

Taste has definite Bourbon notes and very warm in the throat. Really good with some spiciness up front on the lips and the Bourbon flavor on the back end on the tongue. Taste not quite as powerful as the smell, but improves with temperature.

Not overly carbonated, which makes sense for the style.

Overall a great beer that I will be adding to seasonal rotation.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 03:16:35 | More by Labeorphile