Americas Bourbon Barrel Barleywine

Several samples at a beer taste. Deep amber pour with a creamy head. Probably the bottom of the keg. Big hop/bourbon combo was pretty unique , sticky mouth feel and very good. Wish this was being bottled.

Draught at the pub. Dark brown with hints of red along the edges. Thin off-white head, no lacing. Intense barrel aged nose with fruit, and hops in the nose. Very unique and tasty. Sweet hoppy malty combo of a typical barleywine mingle amazingly with bourbon and oak barrel character. Has a lingering boozy taste. As opposed to clashing with the flank steak sandwich I ordered it actually complimented it and assumed a nice port like flavor. A bit warming, but not overbearing, medium bodied and creamy.

Draft at brewpub. Diacetyl-butter all the way in the nose. Dark red body with an off-white head that is almost white. Pretty. Beautiful lace. Not much diacetyl in the flavor; just limited to the aroma. Quite good; just a little off in the finish. A few tweaks and this brew could be stellar.

Aroma is a fantastic combo of dark fruits, figs and raisins with warming alcohol and malt with a big caramel kick. Flavor wise its similar with a slight overwhelming of the alcohol. Going down its got a little too much sting, but overall turns out to be a good solid brew.

festival of barrel aged beers 2004. bourbon (but slightly sweet) aroma, nice thick gold color, and a nice bourbon flavor, however, a fruity sweetens crept in to lessen my enjoyment of this otherwise remarkable brew. this is a heavy, complex brew, not a session brew.