Rock Bottom Chicago Bourbon Barrel-Aged Porter

Brewed by Rock Bottom Chicago
Style: Porter
Chicago, Illinois USA

Chicago. Really nice bourbon aroma; sweet. Completely opaque with a small, brown to light tan head. Excellent lace. Fairly strong beer with a relatively high alcohol profile. Very nice bourbon laced flavor. Rich, roasted malt; very well done. Not the best bourbon porter I’ve had but a damn good one! Chocolate caramel notes. This brew instantly put me in my happy place.

Nearly black of body, this dark brown ale is capped with a bubbly, sustained brown head. The aroma begins with the Bourbon, followed closely by dark malts, a hint of roasted barley, a drop of chocolate milk, and alcohol. Very smooth. The flavor is strong with bittersweet chocolate, a chewy dark caramel, Bourbon, molasses, and a light touch of alcohol. It finishes on a sticky, whiskey note. Mr. Crowley continues to do amazing things with a barrel, and I thank him for his efforts.

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

12/16/05. At RB Chicago. Pours to a strawberry seed and chocolate oatmeal aroma. The flavor is Nestle quik and strawberry seeds and bourbon. Pours to a creamy dark tan head. Very original flavor. I’m digging this. The palate is rich and creamy. Thick. Oatmeal derived?

(12.27.05) Woodford Reserve oak barrel aged version available on tap at Rockbottom Chicago, Chicago, IL. Blacked hued porter having no discernable head. No discernable carbonation. Coffee and roasted malt aromas. Medium bodied that starts with smooth light malt sweetness and chocolate, roasted malt flavors. Finishes with pleasant light malt aftertaste and bitterness. Surprisingly flavorful and delicious porter, complexity and texture almost stout-like.

Huge bourbon nose following through even stronger in the upfront flavor assault. Rich, creamy texture...very mellow and inviting. Coffee, mollases, and brown sugar highlights. Finely crafted beer.

On tap at the brewpub 12/16/2005: Pours a mostly opaque black with dark brown edges and a thin tan head. Sweet bourbon and light nutmeg aroma has some nice dark chocolate notes. Starts with a sweet malt and earthy bourbon oak flavor with a lightly warming, yet smooth finish. An enjoyable and interesting brew.

Chicago. Mostly opaque with medium chestnut brown hues when put to light. Lovely, creamy, light brown head and sticky lacing. Robust porter edges lead the aroma. Unsweetened chocolate inside of cracked walnut shells, dark chocolate shavings, and bourbon spilled on cardboard coasters paraphrase the rest of the aroma portion. Creamy and expansive as it registers on the palate. Astringent porter edge is apparent, but seemingly churns to sweet bourbon seamlessly. Lighter, titillating chocolate cake powder mix and some Hershey syrup drizzled on the tongue, followed by a shot of bourbon. Chalky snapshot of bourbon and dry chocolate in terms of palate performance. Uncanny in its ability to operate within the confines of said style while broadcasting complexity from the barrel aging process. Finishes like liqueur-filled milk chocolate truffles. Enjoyable indeed.

On tap at R.B. Chicago. Poured black with a short-lived cap of tan head. Aroma of roasty and toasty dark malts with chocolate, coffee, and light bourbon... delectable, but a little weak. Roasty chocolate, coffee, and a light herbal bitterness, vanilla and whiskey in the flavor... quite full. Smooth and creamy mouthfeel with a well-placed sweet bourbon bite around the edges and at the finish. Finish picked up burnt chocolate malts, coffee bitterness, and a reminder of the whiskey. Felt great, and very tasty.