Kuhnhenn Bourbon Barrel Fourth Dementia Old Ale

Formerly brewed at Kuhnhenn Brewing
Style: Old Ale
Warren, Michigan USA

At ashleys in ann arbor. The regular fourth dementia is great and the bourbon barrel makes it rediculous. Aroma of brown sugar and some bourbon. Flavor was a little burning from the bourbon and alcohol. Strong bourbon but not overpowering like some. I thought this was incredible, nothing overpowered. Had this again from a bottle. This is a great beer that is one of my favorites.

Bottle generously shared by Crosling. Poured a deep amber-brown color with a thin beige head. Aroma of sweet caramel malt and toffee, fruity undertones (apple and light berry), oak, and light bourbon. Smelled awesome. Sweet, smooth caramel malts with a strong oak dryness and undertones of fruit (apple, plum, grapes) and a nice, complex bourbon finish. Super smooth on the palate with a spectacular oak bite that made me moan in joy as I drank it. Spectacular beer. Thank you much Nick.

Kuhnhenn Brewing is a tiny brewery in Warren, Michigan which brews small batch artisanal ales that you would swear the brewing goddesses above had blessed. Rare, coveted, and possibly even worshiped, their ales encapsulate the time-honored tradition of small batch artisanry which I imagine many of our fore-mothers and fore-fathers of brewing held dear. In little hamlets and villages the world over, a skilled brewer was the pride of the town, and their wares were quite often top-notch, enjoyed and sacredly coveted by knowledgeable outsiders. I would put myself on the coveting side seeing as I have only been able to sup on two of their beers so far. Small bottles big on flavor and character, I can see, smell, and taste the heavens in their beer.

Deep dirty amber brown with a fluffy tan head. As her tan clouds descend upon the murky seas below, lace crackles and sparks along the sides of my glass, striking in playful intervals. With each strike, smoking wood and dank, dark nutrient-rich earth sizzles underneath. Brown spices mingle with apple skins and sun-dried prunes. Cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, sage, and rosemary highlight sweet prunes and the crisp citric acidity of red apple skins. She is very forestry and woody; I feel as if I have stumbled into the Black Forests of Germany centuries past where majesty lingers in the air with a heavy presence. Despite her dampness, there is an underlying presence of dry wood tannins, and I simply cannot take it anymore. Diving headfirst into her body, I am enveloped in an array of tastes and textures; dry, sweet, spiced, rummy, earthy, and woody. Wood tannins immediately work their palate cleansing pleasures atop my tongue while her alcohol warmth permeates my body. Her warmth lingers in each breath with nutmeg and cinnamon sticks while sticky my lips reveal butterscotch and maple. A solid palate, she focuses the brunt of her attack in the middle, choosing to come in with a whisper, conquer, and then leave just the same. Prunes and raisins finish last with a deep chewy sweetness. As we part ways, more warmth, spice, dry wood tannins, and the crisp crunch of red apple skins linger in sweet memoriam.

When I sup on a beer like this, there is clarity of understanding in my heart and in my mind. I understand why, for centuries, brewers were lauded sacred positions in society. Beyond being liquid bread, I imagine that many of their brews were heralded for their taste and flavor; a life-enhancing beverage which was also a gourmand experience of heavenly origins. Vinophiles can have their viticulture. I’ll stick to my beer, continuing my sacred quest for the fruits of Kuhnhenn Brewing.

12oz bottle tasted at Saarlander’s SoCal tasting with saarlander, cquiroga, dirty_martini & kittiesandbeer, JohnC and others. Wow, super-awesome nose of oxidation and a bowl full of brown sugar and dark fruit. Sweet molasses flavor. Fn awesome.

Holy crap am I happy I was able to have tried this. Thanks Jason for sharing. The beer pours to a dark brown body with a very thin white head. The aroma is huge. Tobacco and sweet vanilla bourbon. Ultra-complex and very good. Woody, barley, and hard to describe it’s so masterfully blended. The flavor is caramelized goodness with heavily fermented tobacco, vanilla, nutty maduro cigars, did I mention tobacco? Strong old ale components too. The palate is rich and earthy with lots of caramelly goodness going on. Creamy, full bodied, rich. Perfect palate.

Finally am tasting one of my bottles of this. Beautiful dark brown with some fine bubbles on top. Aroma of toffee, molasses, vanilla, malted barley, bourbon. Wow that smells awesome. This also tastes very awesome: extremely bready, some fruits in the back of the mouth, vanilla. I agree with 1FastSTi, definitely some tobacco going on here. Mouthfeel is soo smooth and full, but not cloying despite being really sweet and having a super long aftertaste. Overall this is a really remarkable beer. I wish I would have gotten more of this last winter. I love this brewery!

A great brew shared awhile back at my tasting in the rain..Dark fruits, Bourbon vanilla, sugary, rich, like desert in a glass, easy to drink,well balanced, I forgot who brung it, but thanks!

Sampled at RBSG. Wow, what a beer. So much sweet malty aromas. Flavor of vanilla, malty sweetness, wooden barrel, and brown sugar. Good good yumminess