Rating: 4.35/5

Boont Barl by Anderson Valley Brewing is a 6.0% ABV American Amber/Red Ale aged 6 months in Wild Turkey, Bourbon Barrels.

Commercial Description:
What began with our flagship Boont Amber Ale and a passion for experimentation has become a unique addition to our Anderson Valley Wild Turkey Barl Series. The six month aging process in third-use Wild Turkey Bourbon barrels imparts flavors of coconut and vanilla and subtle bourbon aromas that are enhanced by a noticeable oak character in the finish. A great accompaniment to fine meals or to be enjoyed on its own, Boont Barl is a truly sessionable barrel-aged beer with finesse. MALTS: Pale Two-Row, Crystal (40L & 80L) HOPS: Columbus, Bravo, Northern Brewer, Mt. Hood.
___

I tried Anderson Valley’s Bourbon Barrel Stout so when I saw this one on the self at Ramirez Liquor, I had to get it. The Bourbon Barrel Stout was very good, but I don’t remember is as being extra ordinary. Even at 6% ABV, this one might still be just as good. You don’t always see session Barrel-aged goodies and some actually end up being more surprising than others. Some beers don’t need barrel aging but it still makes for one interesting beers. So let us see what this one is all about. Cheers!

Aromas:
Dulce de leche caramel, hints of vanilla, oak and bourbon, biscuit bread, dark fruit raisins, rye bread, hints of chocolate spread, brown sugar, grape jelly, some wine grape hints and whiskey.

Flavors:
Bourbon hints, vanilla, caramel, oak, dark fruit hints like raisins and plums, rye bread, biscuit bread, coriander hints, earthy hop notes, wine grape hints, brown sugar, grape jelly, butterscotch hints, hints of nutella chocolate spread and hazelnut nectar.

Aftertaste:
Leaving with residual caramel malt sweetness, oak, hints of whiskey, rye bread, raisins and earthy hop notes. No alcohol presence despite the nice oak whiskey notes. An easy to drink beer with a certain level of smoothness. Medium body with medium mouthfeel.

Overall:
A very good beer. Think of a Bourbon Barrel Aged Amber Light. You get a good amount of flavors like you would a nice bourbon barrel but nothing overwhelming. I think this type of beer is a good way to introduce barrel-aged beers to craft beer beginners. A gateway to the Barrel aged side of beers. In that aspect, I would recommend it. Especially if you just wanna drink a barrel-aged beer without calling it a night. Not too insane but still have some very good flavors to it.

Anime Corner:
Hera from Puzzles and Dragons was used in this pairing to pair with the label colors and to some extent the Anderson Valley Bear with the Antlers. The red hair represents that this is an amber ale while the blue represents some of the other flavors like dark fruit hints. Since I chose this character to represent this beer, the light aspect of the beer represents her petite figure. Show while the beer is light ABV, she still has a good amount of flavors.

Sources:
http://lohas.nicoseiga.jp/thumb/3225114i
https://fireden.net/4chan/images.4chan.org//vg/src/1399345901724.jpg