Bear Republic Batch 1092

Formerly brewed at Bear Republic Brewing Company
Style: Barley Wine
Healdsburg, California USA

On tap at the brewpub in Healdsburg. Hazy, light amber-gold with very thin medium-white head. Very sweet, fruity malt aroma with raisin and red cherry, showing characteristics from the bourbon barrel aging. Sweet malt and alcohol in the flavor with ripe citrus, a touch of light oakiness, and just a hint of tartness in the finish. The body is quite light, considering the alcohol level, and is very well integrated throughout the multi-layered flavor profile.

On draft at Cato’s Ale House in Oakland. Arrived a medium amber color with no head noticible. Sour fruit and rich malts in the aroma. Flavor of fruity malts, green apples, clover, tannic wood, lots of sourness and astringency, especially in the finish. Interesting but not well balanced IMHO. Medium to full body, almost still, with just touch of carbonation.

2008 Boulder Strong Ale Fest: Medium orange hue. Nice combo of yeast, orange, sweet and sour. Also had some notes of wood, as well as some zinginess, if that’s a word. Good beer, but it didn’t really stand out, IMO.

This is a unique beer, but it just doesn’t work too well for me. I guess I’m not that crazy about the bourbon barrel thing in general, but this one is overpowering. It smells great, but then it’s more like drinking bourbon than beer. There’s a buttery quality to it, and an oily mouthfeel. I liked it but wouldn’t drink much.

On tap @ Boulder Strong Ale Fest poured a hazy copper with a small lingering ring of amber foam. Aromas of bourbon, carmel and fruittiness. Palate was light to medium bodied and crisp. Flavors of carmel, light bourbonb, oak and vanilla with a crisp tart finish.

Draught at 6th Boulder Strong Ale Festival. Pours clear orange with a small, fizzy, white head, diminishing with fair lacing. Aroma is average malt (hay, straw, meal), average hops (flowers, perfume), average yeast (sweat, dough) with notes of alcohol, grape and wine. Medium bodied, sticky texture, lively carbonation, and a bitter finish. Long duration, light sweetness, heavy acidity and bitterness.