Barley Johns The Dark Knight (Returns)

Brewed by Barley Johns Brew Pub
Style: Imperial/Strong Porter
New Brighton, Minnesota USA

First of I want to say I usually hate barrel aged beers, especially overly barrel aged beers and I often dislike, in particular, Bourbon BA beers. However, the difference here is this is not a beer aged in bourbon but bourbon mixed with a little bit of beer and it becomes an awesome alcoholic beverage. Tap at the brewpub and served in a small wine glass, apparently 5.5oz. Its a silky black static beer with a small ring of dark brown head. Presentation is pretty cool I would say. Aroma is all delicious booziness with fruity alcohol. No pretense of beer given here, its hard liquor done very well. There is no oak or anything, just straight up bourbon. Taste starts with a thick chocolate sweetness and then bourbon and more of that fruity alcohol. It is actually so good that it makes my mouth watery after sipping it. That’s right sipping, cause there is no other way to drink this. Its just as strong tasting as a distilled spirit and this is the first time I have drank a beer that I believed has been underestimated in its alcohol content. About 3ozs in and I felt giddy. Maybe this is a beer and bourbon cocktail for all I know. The mouthfeel works great with it. It is not one of this thick, underattenuated brews, but the sugars have been eaten up. Its goes down easy but leaves an essence of alcohol heft. Wow, this is a doozy and man was I presently surprised. I could barely finish my small glass, it was that strong.

On Draught at Barley Johns. Pours nearly black with a light brown head. Aromas of bourbon with chocolate and vanilla notes. Taste is sweet, vanilla, woody, roasted malts, with a bourbon and chocolate finish. Mouthfeel is creamy smooth and a good alcohol burn.

Pours jet black from the tap at the brewery with a ring of brown foam at the edge of the Riedel glass. Brimming with the aroma of port, vanilla, and powdered cocoa. Tastes the same with added notes of cough syrup, dark, fruit, espresso, tart cherry, faint peach, and coconut. The depth of this beer is insane. Finishes hot with bourbon, very similar to BCS. A champion beer.

Hand bottle at home thanks to STINE AND BDR for this one ... Deep black ... Huge fizz off this for it being Hand bottle though no head ... Oh my this has Whiskey written all over it in both the nose and the Flavour ...and this is the RETURN ... whiskey and soft roast little vanilla nose ... Up front its all whiskey ... behind thats its quite soft with quite a bit of chocolate and decent roast malts ... while very soft its got a pretty decent carbonation level...the bourbon just persists... quite warming... i cant believe this is the return i cant imagine any more whiskey in this.

Enjoyed on-tap at the brewpub. This is a refermented Dark Knight, and uses $250 bourbon bottles’ casks. Wine colour, virtually no head. Above-average mouthfeel. Complex bourbon lavours, a bit of oak, a sipper Great aroma from the quality bourbon. Served too cold,so much better as it warmed.

Draft at Barley Johns on 10-25-08. Poured black with a tan head. Massive boozy aroma with notes of malts, chocolate, coffee and cheap bourbon. Taste was a big boozy punch in the face, followed by big tastes of chocolate, coffee, wood, roasted malt, caramel, and vanilla. There was much more to this beer once the booziness subsided. Body was very thick, and stuck to the mouth, leaving a strong alcohol presence burning long after each sip. No carbonation to speak of This definitely one to sip on. An intense drinking experience that was well worth it.

Mix and wine & bourbon with a nice chocolate and roasted character. Finishes with smooth vanilla and almond. Too vinous.

Way too heavy and strong of alcohol. Also prominent bourbon whiskey flavor...so aroma and flavor is alcohol and whiskey...not a fan. Got slightly better as it warmed but not much.