GABF 2008. 2006 vintage offering. Solid. Utterly solid. Super sweet oak and dark pitted fruit aroma that’s incredibly balanced. Indeed, it’s somewhat a relief to try an oak aged beer that hasn’t been contaminated by the now dreaded flavor of bourbon. A sweet body that’s just shy of cloying with a distinct brandy characteristic.

Pours with a dark coffee color and a small tan head that clings to the sides of the glass. The aroma is sweet dark chocolate, light fruitiness, moderate booze, and wonderful barrel aged sourness. The flavor, wow. I had a bottle of this fresh and on tap and it has evolved. It is not as sweet and brandy-like now and the sourness has really become dominate. Sweet malt, carmel, liquor filled chocolates, slight oak/barrel, brandy, sour, funkiness from barrel aging (oxidation). The palate is medium bodied, with a slight alcohol burn, and a clinging finish. For an 11.5% abv this beer goes down easily, maybe too easily. I really like this beer and am glad I have few more sitting in my cellar. I hear the next batch (2008) will be from freshly emptied brandy barrels, so I look forward to that beer.

750ml Bottle: Sweet aroma of oak, vanilla, brandy, and alcohol. Poured brown in color with a small, tan head. Cloudy. Sparkling. Medium sweet flavor. Tastes of malts, chocolate, brandy, oak, vanilla, and caramel. Medium body. Smooth, lightly oily texture. Soft to average carbonation. Vanilla, malt and oak finish.

bottle. thanks glkaiser. dark pour with thin head. rich nutty aroma with vanilla, oak, chocolate. flavors match aroma. rich. great balance.

Nov 07 release. 750ml. Dark brown with a light beige head. Awesome nose of vanilla, smoke, wood and a touch of coconut. Just massive tasting - notes of caramel, light roast, bourbon, vanilla, oak, smoke, light chocolate and coconut. Pleasant, slightly burnt aftertaste. Nice sweetness level with ample hop bitterness. Full, round and creamy with subtle carbonation. Great stuff.