Carlyle Bourbon Barrel Stout

This poured a jet black body in my glass from which a head never emerged. The aroma has some light Bourbon scents neatly blended with roasted malts, a nutty bitterness, and maybe, just maybe a splash of chocolate. The sweet Bourbon dominates the flavor, barely allowing the roastiness to emerge. Some vanilla and oak are added to the mix. The finish is boozey and sticky.

<font size=-4><a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowPlace.asp?PlaceID=2247>Carlyle Brewing Company, Rockford, IL<font size=-1>

Draught sample at the brewpub in early October 2006. Opauqe ebony with a thin wisp of lasting head, little in the way of lacing....oaky vanilla notes in the aroma are well balanced with roasty, somewhat burnt chocolate notes, little in the way of alcohol....on the tongue though the bourbon completely takes over, roasty-chocolaty stout characteristics are subdued to the point of invisibility....I like bourbon, so I can enjoy the whiskey-vanilla-corn sweetness of of but it’s way unbalanced and the low carbonation and fairly thick, oily body don’t really help. Interesting, but problematic.

tap at the brewpub-black wit hvery little head and carbonation. Vanilla, whisksy, and light chocolate nose. Vanilla, roast, char and anise on the flavors-im glad the bourbon didn’t mask everything here. the beer still retains its origonal character with an accent of bourbon. pretty tasty. body is lush and silky making the experience that much better. a dose of bourbon heat on the finish. nice effort!