New Glarus Unplugged Bourbon Barrel Bock

The first thing is WOW! I should say right off if you do not care for Bourbon this beer would not be for you. This beer totally took me by surprise. First the aroma is divine. It fills your nose with hints of vanilla, and caramel, and then the Bourbon aroma takes over. And that’s before I ever got the glass to my nose. Bourbon nose with all the beer qualities. This beer is best served in a goblet as to allow it to breathe. Much like allowing a fine sniffter of Bourbon to breathe so should this beer. This beer is not to be finished quickly. It lost its head rather quickly, but the flavor more than made up for the loss of foam. This beer started off chilled and by the time I got to the bottom of the glass it got better as it got warmer. So, I recommend enjoying this beer at slightly below room temp. And ladies, this beer is not bitter at all. A very smooth and aromatic finish right to the very end of this very satisfying elixir. To be enjoyed with a smoked salmon, filet minon, smoked cheeses. It does pack a punch with the amount of alcohol in this beer. So, if you are looking for a conversation piece or warming up on a cold winters day in front of the fire place look no further. The following is how I rated this beer: floral, alcohol, clove, vanilla, amber, clear, aminimal head, medium sweetness, lightly bitter, lightly sour, full body, creamy, soft carbonation, and a long finish. On a personal note this beer should have been released in the winter. Though it is a limited edition it is not to be missed. Stock up on this one! Create the mood. Or enjoy this one with great friends.

12 oz bottle. Hazy dark tan with a full off-white head. A lot of vanilla in the nose with hints of oak. Very, very smooth drinking. Picked up vanilla, oak, and carmel. It’s very smooth with only a very small hint of an alcohol bite.

Today I sat down and had an excellent beer. I love the flavor Carey gets out of his barrels. The Belgian Quad had a bit too much going on with it to really be able to taste what aging in bourbon barrels can do, but this is a great example. Pours an amber color with little to no head. Rich vanilla, toffee caramel notes and a full body. I cant wait to taste this one after some time lagering!

Had this one last night amazing beer. New Glarus is one of the Mecca’s of the MIcro beer world. Full body and very satisfying. Great beer and its a shame that distribution keeps it from escaping Wisconsin now.

On tap at The Horse & Plow Pours clear amber with a nice beige head that quickly disappears leaving a nice lacing. Aromas of malty, caramelly bourbon alcohol are somewhat overpowering, but not offending. Slightly burning. Flavor was, unexpectantly, somewhat sour and hot from the alcohol but very complex. Oak and vanilla are in the background and should come through nicely after this sits in the corner and mellows for a while. A bit too hot on the alcohol for me but shoul dbe outstanding in a few months. For right ow, one was enough. Update: Tapped the second barrel and it was fantastic after aging! Harsh alcohol has dissipated to allow Vanilla and caramel flavors.