Bluegrass Bourbon Barrel Rye Porter

Sample at GABF 2009. Pours a dark cola brown with off-white head. Aroma is malty with notes of bourbon, vanilla, oak, light smoke, chocolate, rye, peat. Flavor is much the same. Medium body with a bourbon malt finish.

5/07/2009 and 5/31/2009: BBC BA Rye Porter pours out in a beautiful deep brown color with a really creamy, dense, and lasting light tan-colored head that has a great reverse-cascading effect and good lacing. What a great appearance for a porter! The aroma is soft with milk chocolate, caramelized malt, and vanilla char. The flavor is rich and oh so smooth with plenty (but not too much) creamy vanilla and bourbon coming through with the fruity, dry rye in finish. There is also a great bourbon flavor in the back and finish that is very, very well-blended and integrated with the the other flavors so that the bourbon just doesn’t immediately jump out. It is almost sublte and pairs so well with the sweet and sugary caramelized malts and dry, fruity rye. The base rye porter beer and bourbon barrel aging complement each other so damn well! True synergy paired with a soft, smooth, silky texture on the palate. What a great beer. Probably my favorite and the best of the BA BBC brews that I have had thus far. Simply wonderful!

Draught (growler fill) shared by alexsdad06 on 5/07/2009. Thanks Brad. I had also purchased a growler of this beer at Party Town in Florence, Kentuckyand started drinking it on 5/31/2009. Rating #5 for this beer.

Growler acquired in trade with alexsdad06 (thanks!). Poured a dark brown color with a small sized off white head. Aromas of lots of woodiness, roasty, some rye, and a little earthy. Tastes of woodiness, ligther earthiness, roast, rye, chocolate, and lighter vanilla. The bourbon was light and not overpowering. Alcohol content hidden.

Growler shared by alexsdad06. Pours dark brown color with a large frothy light brown creamy head that was lasting with excellent lacing. Heavy toasted dark chocolate, wood and bourbon aroma. Medium body with a smooth texture and flat carbonation. Moderate to heavy roasted bittersweet flavor with a medium bittersweet well whiskey finish of moderate to long duration. This is a standout porter.

Name: Bourbon Rye Porter
Date: February 07, 2009
Mode: Growler
Source: Footset Foreplay Friday
Appearance: clear dark brown, wispy beige head, bits of lace
Aroma: dry roasted aroma with a vanilla sweetness
Flavor: sweet chocolate flavor, lots of oaky rye, light roasted bitterness, vanilla brings in the sweetness to pull out the chocolate
Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 14/20
Rating: 3.4/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: **4

"Aged in Knob Creek bourbon barrels." So many BBC porters, but I assumed none of the ones listed were this one because none noted "Rye." Someone please correct me if I am wrong. Pitch black with nice rich mocha head. Aroma doesnt extend much beyond simple porter roastyness with some hints of smoke. The flavor on the other hand it outstading and develops very much as the beer warms and after every swallow. IT starts out roasty and simple and develops for an entire minute further and further into a remarkable oaky vanilla bourbon finish the is very delicately balanced and subtle yet potent. Silky creamy low carbonation palate. Overall: one of the best bourbon barrel brews out there.