Seven Bridges Bourbon Barrel IPA

12oz snifter at the Seven Bridges brewpub enjoyed on January 10, 2009. Clear brown beer with a small beige head that doesn’t last long. Strong aroma of bourbon, with hops in the background. This brew was aged in bourbon barrels for 7 months, and there is no mistaking the bourbon and oak flavors. A lightly hoppy and sweet IPA is what this beer is built around, but the malt has more of a dark malt flavor. This beer was called "Ole Woody" and may not be the same one listed here, I was told this beer was 12% abv. It was a big hit with the homebrew club meeting, seemed like everybody in attendance had a glass to try. Kudos to Eric, the brewmaster, for producing such an enjoyable, off-the-mainstream brew as this. I saw it announced in Ale Street News that Eric won an award in the Best Beers of Florida competition with this one.

on tap-pours an off white head that laces and hazy gold color. Aroma is nice mellow bourbon, sweet medium malt-caramel. Taste is nice bourbon/wood, some boozy, vanilla, medium malt. Occasional.

Golden-amber colour. Both bourbon and herbal, woody hops in the somewhat muted aroma. Wood, bourbon, vanilla, melon, cantaloupe - interesting and complex palate. Moderate bitterness. Off-dry finish with boozy burps. This came together surprisingly well.

Rich copper, clear. Both deeper and cleaner look than the Toll Tender and its cascade counterpart. Harmonic aroma of subtle vanilla, bourbon but not hot. Wood and another smell I can’t quite place that is either flower or fruit. Really smooth and low carbonation. Finishes hot but warming and is an excellent satisfying brew.