The Brewhouse Bourbon Barrel Jean

Brewed by The Brewhouse (California)
Style: Scotch Ale
Santa Barbara, California USA

On tap at the brepub (mid-May 2009): Pours a murky mahogany with a thin wispy off-white head. Aroma of semi-sweet dark caramel malt with some vinous bourbon oak and fruity tartness. Starts with a sticky malty sweetness along with some tart fruity balance and oaky bourbon complexity before a sweet tart finish. Tartness seems off and could use some peaty character.

Draught at the brewpub. Dark, muddy brown with scant foam. Brown sugar, bourbon, caramel, and woody aroma. The flavor is malty with a light bourbon tinge and faint tartness. The alcohol is pretty smooth and the aging seems to have dried the beer out a little from the sweeter regular version. Medium-full body with a smooth texture. The bourbon adds plenty but is not over-powering. I preferred the regular version.