On tap at Ambulance, hybridized Trappist-styled tripel seeps raw-honeyed Scotch whiskey dryness (from French oak barrels) into lively citrus spicing and astringent maize snip with underwhelming results.
Tag Archives: oak-aged ale
HIJINX BARREL AGED WEE HEAVY SCOTTISH STYLE ALE
A warm bourbon-sweetened rye quilt provides mellow serenity for barrel-aged wee heavy. Mildly vinous red grape souring contrasts spicy caramelized malts as well as delightful sherry, merlot, armagnac and cognac illusions. Brown-sugared rye whiskey finish is heavenly.
FINCH’S PIG IN THE WOOD ALE AGED IN WHISKY BARRELS
Exquisite bourbon whiskey entry (emanating from Koval Distillery barrels) brings boozy luxuriance to 8% ABV strong ale. Sweet bourbon molasses sugaring contrasts peat whiskey and dry rye tones while ancillary burnt caramel, vanilla bean, coconut and cacao nibs illusions add further complexity.
(BALADIN) SUPER BALADIN ZYMATORE – BOURBON BARREL
On tap at Poor Henry’s, vinous bourbon-barreled tripel takes a completely different trek than original Super Baladin’s caramel-candied wheat wine profile. Instead, sour white wine tannins acidulate Ransom Distillery bourbon oak, leaving limey yellow grape, plum and green apple notions on the tongue.
GREAT DIVIDE BARREL AGED HIBERNATION ALE
On tap at Ambulance, “luscious” English-styled winter ale receives barrel-aged Stranahan’s Colorado whiskey adjunct to sedate original Hibernation’s orange, cherry and peach fruiting as well as soured fig-date smidge. Rising out of the rum-spiced whiskey interior are brown chocolate, sugared coffee, toasted coconut, vanilla bean, molasses and marshmallow illusions.
JACKIE O’S BOURBON-AGED BRICK-KILN BARLEYWINE
Truly decadent barleywine (11.5% ABV) blends Buffalo Trace and kiln-bricked Willett bourbon barrel aging, comparing favorably to Jackie O’s less silken smooth, yet still excellent, Woodford-aged Wood Ya Honey. Sweet bourbon chocolate creaming proves resilient while compact dried fruiting and maple molasses syruping gain prominence at the heavily caramelized butterscotch midst. Black cherry-pureed raisin, plum and prune illusions sit alongside coconut-toasted almond, praline, pecan and chestnut pleasantries. Vanilla, marshmallow and cotton candy undertones further sweeten the distinct bourbon .
ANDERSON VALLEY BOONT BARL BOURBON BARREL AMBER ALE
Mild bourbon-influenced Boont Amber Ale aged 6 months in Wild Turkey barrels gathers light barley roast, soft citric hop spicing and honeyed vanilla-coconut subtleties. Watered-down whiskey reminder mellows out at dry grain-husked finish.
HOPPIN’ FROG BARREL AGED OUTTA KILTER SCOTCH-STYLE RED ALE
Outré Scotch-sweetened barrel aged wee heavy picks up yeast-enriched bourbon influence over brown-sugared caramel malting, bruised apple spicing, dry-hopped rye affluence and cocoa-sugared marzipan creaming. Dark-toasted oaken vanilla backdrop reinforces tertiary rum, brandy and sherry boozing. Betters brewers’ original Wee Heavy Red Ale.
ELEVATOR BULLY GOAT RED ALE AGED IN WHISKY BARRELS
Ambiguously complex oak-aged red ale relies on smooth whiskey tones to upend vinous wood-dried grape esters, light citric hop spicing and sour mash acidity. Dry bourbon and Scotch boozing sedates latent vanilla-caramel sweetness.
FIRESTONE WALKER XVII ANNIVERSARY ALE
Diligently combining brewers’ oak-forward Bravo Imperial Brown, Stickee Monkee Barleywine, Helldorado Blond Barleywine, Velvet Merkin Oatmeal Stout, Parabola Imperial Oatmeal Stout and Wooky Jack Black Rye IPA, velvety smooth full body reaches dessert beer nirvana on first sip. Lovely bourbon warmth reigns supreme above decadent vanilla-creamed chocolate caking, comprehensive fruit-dried red wining and advertised ‘cinnamon-glazed almond’ waft. Inviting cognac, whiskey, sherry, port and dark rum boozing reinforces bruised cherry, rum raisin, sugared fig and black grape fruiting. Molasses cookie dough richness increases rounded complexity further. Creme brulee, cocoa nibs, toasted coconut, hazelnut and marshmallow illusions deepen mocha pervasion. Highly recommended.
NEBRASKA MELANGE A TROIS BELGIAN ALE (AGED IN CHARDONNAY)
Exquisite Belgian-styled blonde ale aged in French Oak Chardonnay barrels balances sweet n’ sour accents well. Vinous white grape pucker and oaken cherry bittering beautifully contrasted by vanilla-creamed honeyed mead sweetness. Ancillary peach, nectarine, pineapple and green apple tang envelops champagne-bubbled dry bourbon perk, musky white-peppered lemongrass tingle and latent lemon curry snip.
(COASTAL EXTREME) ANGELS ENVY BARREL-AGED ALE
Inexpressive rum barrel-aged strong ale lacks flavor and depth. Wood-charred dark rum whimper fades above light chocolate-malted raw molasses spell and depleted fig-soured green coffee bittering. A hint of beechwood smoke found in deep recess alongside residual caramel, vanilla and toffee snips.
