Tyranena Bourbon Barrel Chief BlackHawk Porter

Brewed by Tyranena Brewing
Style: Porter
Lake Mills, Wisconsin USA

Near black with a moderate head of tight taupe bubbles. Thin vale of lace descends to the end of the pour. Mild pale malt quickly swept away with peat, light bourbon, chocolate, graham crackers and oak. The age really seems to have smoothed this one out. This has some true porter qualities with the pale malt and graham crackers and then followed by a black malt finish. The bourbon works its way in throughout the quaff. Hints of oak, vanilla, and peated barley. A very nice sit and relax type brew.

On draught at the brewery taproom in Lake Mills, Wisconsin. Pours an opaque dark brown with a thick and creamy light tan head that disipates quickly to a fine film and ring. Aroma is complex with scents of dark chocolate, vanilla, bourbon whiskey, slight coconut, and a touch of flowery hops. Taste is medium bodied, smooth, creamy, with flavors of dark roasted malt, oaked bourbon, a touch of vanilla and chocolate. Finish is smooth, semi-sweet with a distinct bourbon flavor that more present than the dark malt. Definitely a decent sipping brew.

On tap at brewery. I’m told this isn’t the "who’s your daddy imperial porter" because the beer isn’t an imperial porter base. The beer pours to a transluscent dark brown body that can easily be seen through even in low light. No head whatsoever. The flavor has noticeable wood barrel qualities. Almost a "tart" barrel aging. Knob creek bourbon? Not as rich as "who’s your daddy". Mosly barrel and whiskey covered dark chocolatey malt (although not overpowering). The aroma is light. Dark semi-sweet chocolate, light cheese cakey brownie. Medium body that’s inviting, slightly alcoholic, good and lingering feel. A good beer but not as good as the imperial BA porter.

Sample tap @ brewery. Almost-opaque brown body under a thin light tan but "lacy" head. Strong woody-whisky aroma. There might be some coffee beans but it’s and anything else is kept down by the barrel notes. Dark chocoalte and cream in teh falvor which is quickly enveloped by woody bourbon and black batent. Medium mouthfeel. Small alcohol hit in the finish. For all its barrel-forwardness this beer is still really tasty. There’s just enough porter roast to keep it honest!

Aroma is the highlight here. Rich oaked bourbon, the ever present hints of vanilla ,choclate cake batter, and touches of coffee,almost deserves a ten. Taste is much thinner then you would expect,given that rich aroma, Subtle coffee and bourbon dominate the taste,a slight bitter fade nice enough. I suppose you have to remember this is a simple porter ,not an Imperial,but that rich aroma was such a tease. Time for Rob to stop avoiding the stouts,get down into the lab and come up with a Russian monster

Small tan head, black body. Bourbon chocolate aroma. Slightly woody and hoppy with slight bourbon notes. Hints of concord grape skins a few minutes after the sips. Fairly sticky palate, but a bit too tingly. Very nice and easy-going porter... not overdone at all. Comparing to my notes on the non BB porter, I think the hops are toned down a bit which adds to the smoothness, and the slight bourbon bits adds to the flavor nicely.

On tap on 11/11/07. Dark color. Smell of bourbon, vanilla, oak, coffee, malt, hops and some minor coco. Taste of the same. Very smooth and mellow. Nice balance between the bourbon and coffee. Its a great porter.

Pours a cloudy amber with thick tan/cream colored head. Aroma is sweet caramel, bourbon almost rum notes. Flavor is hops sweet bitterness, burnt caramel. Light body and medium carbonation.