Schlafly Barrel Aged Grand Cru

Hop in the City 08 - Pours fairly clear copper with a small white head. There is some sweetness of the original grand cru, but offset by by the bourbon barrel. Smooth body with some semi-sharp carbonation. There is come Belgium-like caramel, bit of bourbon / alcohol, some richness that isn’t over the top and some oak notes. A good beer, but doesn’t blow me away.

Tasted 8/1/08. Draft at The Stables, St. Louis. Hazy with a golden hue. Slight ring of head. Vanilla woody aromas with a musty note. Slight alcohol burn. Medium to full bodied with a sticky, oaky flavor. Caramel malts and great yeast character. Great barrel aging! Noticeable barrel qualities. Tasty!

Draught at Saint Louis Brewery Schlafly. Pours hazy dark yellow with a spare, fizzy, off-white head, mostly diminishing with spare lacing. Aroma is heavy malt (cookie, caramel, toffee), average hops (flowers, perfume), average yeast (earth) with notes of alcohol, banana, bubble gum, apple, and toffee. Medium bodied, thin texture, soft carbonation, and a bitter finish. Average duration, moderate sweetness, light acidity and bitterness.