enginaaron (18), San Diego, California, USA Jul 5, 2008 Growler from Stone. 2006 BBA version, filled May 2008. Wasn’t sure of what to expect with this brew. The age was very prominent; had a sort of musty flavor. But the bourbon was very strong and prominent. Taste had lots of chocolate, coffee, vanilla, molasses, hops with a creamy smooth texture that smacks the lucky taster in all areas of the mouth and tongue. Taste lingers and develops with time. This beer will make you think long and hard and ponder exactly just what you’re drinking. Alcohol is still prominent but not as much as when freshly brewed.
Make sure to consume this at a warmer temperature than other beers. Also, the beer seemed to mellow out the day after the growler was first opened. And even moreso the third day. Different flavors came out during those second and third tastings.
Overall quite good. I wish I could have this more often! eaglefan538 (2013), Wilmington, Delaware, USA Jul 4, 2008 Hand bottle marked 06, generously shared by sloth, who always out does me. The pour was dead on for the style in color, a bit still on the effervescence/carbonation leading me to think this was a little spent in the bottle, hopes dashed a tad. The aroma, though, was wonderful, excellent oak, cedar (undoubtedly this, and Bert nailed that first), bourbon, vanilla, and chocolate notes teasing the nose, raising hopes back up. The flavor kicked buttocks, surpassing all expectations and leading me to want more: all of the aroma was there in the flavor along with a chocolate dustiness that was quite nice. Absolutely no hint of oxidation at all, just a great production in its prime of drinking. Mouthfeel was full and a little flat, but surprisingly this thing wasn’t cloying or sticky one bit, despite the lack of carbonation and aging (absence) of any hops. Right on, Bert, thanks so much for sharing this one with me. I shall declare this my honorary/symbolic 2k beer. holdenn (1075), Chicago, Illinois, USA Jul 1, 2008 Consumed on 5/25/08 from a swingtop growler with big thanks to drewbeerme for scoring this one. Pours a dark black with a beige head. Doughy chocolate malts with some of the grains coming through. Medium bodied. Chocolates, roasted malts, rich and flavorful with a touch of raisins that finishes sweet and bourbon. This is balanced really nicely with the barrel. JK (2341), Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA Jun 22, 2008 This is a great example of what happens to world class beer when it comes in contact with bourbon. It is no longer world class beer. The palate has been thinned considerbly. Some vanilla and coconut. Good carbonation. Mostly bourbon flavor and bourbon aroma. Far from a top 50 beer in my opinion. Thanks to Tytoanderso and Stine for sharing. acrdz (4088), Pennsylvania, USA Jun 21, 2008 12oz handbottle pours deep black with little to no head, but still decent carbonation, thick and vinous. Bright and sharp bourbon nose, sweet buttered bourbon and honey. Vinous, thick and oily on the palate. Typical semi-sweet bourbon and honey and chocolate syrup flavor - medium roast, light tannic wood character. Nicely quiet.
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