Rock Bottom Chicago Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Red Ale

Brewed by Rock Bottom Chicago
Style: American Strong Ale
Chicago, Illinois USA

Pours very murky, dull pinkish/brown, looks like BBQ sauce with a thin white head. Sweet floral hop, huge bourbon, and sweet rye. This stuff burns your throat going down, soooo boozy! A bit glassy, light caramel sweetness, nice rye flavor. The bourbon in this is insane. Medium bodied, a bit creamy with light carbonation. Fantastic if you like rye and whisky.

Great Taste 2008. I’ve had Clares Hungry, Angry, and Thirsty, and now’s the chance to try Commando. Stupid me, but I didn’t quite realize that Clare was a real person, and then name is a pun on Clare’s (as in posession) and Clare’s (as in "Clare is"). Onto the beer, a mahogany colored pour leads into notes of cherry, rye-like spice (wouldn’t be surprised if there was a bit of rye used in the beer), orange peel, vanilla, and a nice bourbon finish. Of the Clare’s series, this one was another great addition.

Tap GTMW 2008 Higher alcohol sweetness. There is some octane to this beer. Dull hoppiness with bittersweet finish. Lots of acetone, but enjoyable and not distracting or overly ethanol. Aroma is very similar. Sweet toffee, higher alcohols. Finish is sweet red fruits and more alcohol. Very estery and different. A lot of flavors. I enjoyed this quite a bit, but it probably needs a re-visit.

On tap at the Great Taste of the Midwest (8/9/08) as Clare’s Commando: Pours a transparent dark copper with a thin-lacing off-white head. Aroma of fresh grapefruity hops and decent bourbon oaky balance. Body starts with good fullness, sweet caramel and fresh grapefruity bittering and flavor hops along with a touch of bourbon before a drier bittersweet finish. Nicely balanced and enjoyable.

Tap into a snifter: It poured a hazy amber/red body with a dense white head. Heavy lacing. The aroma had yellow grapefruit, citrus zest, pine, a dash of caramel, and Bourbon. Very smooth in the mouth but full of peppery heat. The caramel was nearly chewy in the flavor, but the hoppy bitterness rose to the occasion and beat out the sweetness. Flavors of Bourbon and charred wood merged smoothly with the other flavors. The finish was bitter with hops and oak and had a low alcohol burn. Just the drink one needs after a long day in the civil courts.

<font size=-4><a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowPlace.asp? Bottom Chicago, Chicago, IL<font size=-1>

Thick light brown pour with nice creamy head. Roasted malt nose with bourbon all over the nose. Flavor was big with wood, bourbon, sweet malt and hints of vanilla. Hops helped with the finish that kept it dry. Very nice.

A very good bourbon beer from Rock Bottom yet again. Pours hazy red with a white head. Aroma of citrus, caramel, and bourbon. The bitterness from the hops did beat our the caramel sweetness. Very easy to drink. The bourbon wasn’t as dominate as with some of their other beers. A good one to try.

Name: Clare’s Commando
Brewery: Rock Bottom Brewery
Date: 08/09/2008
Mode: Draft
Source: Brewfest, Great Taste

Appearance: hazy burnt orange, creamy beige head, lots of lace,
Aroma: sweet caramel and vanilla aroma,
Flavor: sweet caramel candy flavor, lots of vanilla sweetness, light balancing bitterness,

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 7/10; Overall: 16/20
Rating: 3.8/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: **4