Speakeasy Apple Jack Barrel Old Godfather

Brewed by Speakeasy Ales and Lagers
Style: Barley Wine
San Francisco, California USA

On tap at Blue Palms. OK, so I’ll just be clear, I don’t like the name. When I think “apple-jack” I think of the cereal, with is unreasonably sweet and artificial. Fortunately, this offering from Speakeasy was far from that. Appearance is wood-brown, with a wispy cream-colored head. Aroma is a fascinating blend of toasted brown sugar, wood, stewed apples (yes, that’s right), and dates. Palate is full, buttery-thick, and softly carbonated. Finish is long and tasty. Flavor forwarded some really interesting barrel-aging characteristics, as well as an aged-fruit sweetness. A lot of flavors are dancing around in this one, perhaps I can spot cinnamon and banana-bread as well. Delicious and complex beer!

Draft. Rich amber beer with an off-white head. Rich malt aroma with light apple brandy. Rich toffee and light buttery flavor with apples and brandy. Medium-plus bodied. Toffee and light earth lingers with light hops and light apple brandy. A bit rougher than the bourbon.