Barley Johns The Dark Knight (Returns)

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

Just have to say WOW to start! Had it on tap at the pub in a small snifter. Poured almost jet black with a small dark tan head. Aroma is wonderful: bourbon, chocolate, coffee, vanilla. Taste was basically the same wonferul flavors as the aroma. I just loved the balance of all of it. The bourbon wanted to become to much at times but contained itself. Re-Rate: Time to give it that 5.0 that it deserves and I was too much of a wuss to give it the first time for fear of what I know not. It was even better the second time around. YES!!!!!!!!

This is a beer that I like more the more I have it. The deep black color almost makes one think twice about what they’re doing before driinking it and the strong bourbon, coffee and vanilla just gets smoother with every sip. I’d only be repeating what other have siad if I go on. My only question is what might a third go-round with the barrel.

Enjoyed a sample of this one at Tasting in the Woods, Part Deux. This beer was the surprise of the night for me, and a beer that I found to be so delicious and drinkable, I was ready to book a flight to Minnesota. Pours to a slightly murky, black color, with a slight tan head, and a soft carbonation. The nose on this beer is incredible, with complex layers of aroma. Sweet malt, dark chocolate, vanilla, oak, bourbon, pepper, toffee, and light roast flood the nose. The plate is like silk on the tongue. Complex flavors of what was in the nose grab hold, and just do not let go. Lots of good chocolate, toffee, vanilla, bourbon, and coffee flavors. Dark Knight Returns ends with more of those wonderful, complex flavors up front, then ends with some dark roasty and peppery alcohol that lingers. Phenomenal beer.

A Beer.... Wait that isn’t correct. A dancing delight on your taste buds while soothing the inner beast elixer is more like it. This beer is on a level on it’s own. There is nothing like it nor would I want there to be. I won’t break it down to the individual notes and what not - Just know that it is somthing to enjoy and to add to the 1000 things you must do before you die.

Growler... This beer rocks!... Let me just start things off by saying "What a terrific, world class beer!" It’s worth its weight in gold and at $55 per growler, it had better be. Midnight black and thick with a tiny, fizzy, well-tanned head. The nose is to die for with notes of charred wood, vanilla, port, sour mash (of course), caramel, cherries, chocolate and espresso. Just the right amount of bourbon... not overdone. The flavor pretty much matches the nose, but also has notes of blackstrap molasses and warm alcohol. Ultra full-bodied with a heavy, oily mouthfeel and medium carbonation. Lengthy, burnt, bitter, alcoholic finish. Again, "What a terrific, world class beer!" Thanks go out to footbalm for the growler!

Oh my... The Knight gallops to the table in a small 5 ounce snifter, and though his stature may appear small, it is only a matter of time before he runs you through. It appears like blackest death with a solid tan head that slowly disappears. The aroma of pine struck me quickly, as well as hints of earth, vanilla, and raw alcohol. The taste is a blast of vanilla bean, whiskey, and malt. There is much more going on, but a second trip is required. The summation suggested kahlua. Just an incredible experience. I wish more could taste it.

First off, footbalm’s the man. Thanks for bottling this for me any so many others. Color is black, with a small tan head. Aroma is crazy... bourbon dominates,then chocolate, dark fruit, and vanilla. Body is relatively full and creamy, with tastes of bourbon (again dominate), chocolate, dark fruit, vanilla, coffee and some oak. Alcohol is not hidden at all, but it doesn’t detract from the flavor. Absolutely amazing brew.

Aged in a bourbon barrel and double fermented - Yum! Color is a solid black with some brownish highlights around the bottom. Small tannish head fades super fast and leaves very thin sheets of lace. Smell is like a chocolate-chocolate chip cookie soaked in cough sryup. It has a good strong sense of alcohol, with a really nice woody/earthy deep dark chocolate, with complex notes of molasess, black licorice, dried smokey plums, raisin, vanilla, and fresh wild flowery notes. Its what I would imagine a chocolate factory in an open wet forest would smell like with one nostril while the other nostril is under a cup of Nyquil. I could smell this all day. Quite an intoxicating aroma, no pun intended. Taste is complex, rich, and invigorating with a ton of deep dark chocolate, some molasses, fruity-like alcohol with a dark earthy quick bite of woodyness finding some hold about midway finishing with more complexing woody earth features of sweet malty tang and bitterness with notes of flowery spice like that of dulled mustard or ginger. Wow! The bourbon barrel worked its wonders on this brew. Fantastic! Very port-like in its character. Packs a big punch in flavor and alcohol, you can tell the alcohol is there but is mildly mellow and lends the feel to be smoother then you would think. Very rich, nearly full overall in mouthfeel with a welcoming smoothness that makes this dark knight a deadly easy drinkin' Porter. Super Yum!