Tag Archives: bourbon barrels

Barrel-Aged Old Rasputin XV by North Coast Brewing

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382030_10100953674296030_1531994946_nRating: 5.5/5

Barrel-Aged Old Rasputin XV by North Coast Brewing is an 11.9% ABV Russian Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels.

Label:
Never say Die!

Every year we age a special batch of our much-loved Russian Imperial Stout in Bourbon barrels. The depth, intensity, and complexity of the flavor profile of this special release, like its predecessors, make it a worthy tribute to Old Rasputin.

Prior to 2010, Barrel-Aged Old Rasputin was released in such limited quantities that it was available only at the North Coast Brewing retail shop in Fort Bragg, California. However, we received so many requests for this beer that we began producing enough Barrel-Aged Old Rasputin to put into broader, but still limited, distribution.
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This a pretty awesome beer. Upon opening this one, there was immediate aromas of rich coconut, vanilla, bourbon with roasted coffee, chocolate, caramel and some notes of Mexican sweetened condensed or flan. Maybe California’s response to Bourbon County Stout? The flavors are pretty sweet. The boozyness is only slight the flavors that hit the palate. Sweet rich chocolate, espresso, mocha, vanilla, caramel, whipped cream, rich Mexican flan, bourbon, coconut, figs, raisins and prunes. Another masterpiece exceeding the expectations. A must find for Barrel-Aged Stout lovers. Just awesome is what this is. If the original Old Rasputin is world class, this takes it to another level for me.

The Abyss 2009 Vintage Reserve by Deschutes Brewing

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537623_10100942762423510_1398929182_nRating: 5.55/5

The Abyss 2009 Vintage Reserve by Deschutes Brewing is an 11% Imperial Stout brewed with Licorice and Molases with 33% aged in French oak and Bourbon Barrels. This version has been cellared for at least 3 years and now it is time to unleash it’s fury…of flavor ofcourse…I assume that the ABV is probably higher as it has risen over time. Like a 12 or 13% maybe higher. 

Label:

The Abyss: Stout brewed with licorice and molasses with 33% aged in oak and oak bourbon barrels. It’s dark. It’s deep. It’s mysterious. Aged in French Oak and Bourbon barrels, this special brew has immeasureable depth inviting you to explore and discover its rich, complex profile. The flavor of molasses and licorice draw you in further and further with each sip. The Abyss beckons. Enjoy the journey.
====Upon getting the first aromatic notes of this ale I immediately thought of Madrugada Obscura a.k.a Dark Dawn from Jolly Pumpkin. The fragrance is like a funky sour wine mixed in with an imperial stout like Madrugada Obscura was but less sour. Although a sour Imperial Stout is pretty awesome. Lots of rich dark chocolate, roasted coffee, vanilla, grapes, molasses, licorice, milk chocolate, barley wine caramel, graham crackers, almonds and some other spicy aromas that are just nice but not sure I can name 😛 . What a challenge :D. The flavors are going all over the place. As I figured, just because it smells as good as Madrugada Obscura, doesn’t mean it taste like it. The flavors are much much more complex. We have sweetness of dark and milk chocolate, espresso and mocha, raisins, cherry and plums but still allowing some roasted and smokey notes from the coffee to develop. The sweetness bitters up into a earthy hops with notes of citrus and pine. Some tangy wine and oaky wood flavor follow and are complemented by the vanilla, bourbon, almond, coconut and caramel on the way out. The beer actually gets better in flavor as it warms up. This beer is crazy as the alcohol notes are still pushed back to let the flavors go through so it finishes smooth and dry which many may find nice as it may not be too overwhelming. Yes, even if it does have a lot to offer, the flavors don’t stay forever and the alcohol will have it’s wrath simply because you don’t really feel that it is there. It will creep into your soul O.O. The beer is definitely setup for you to keep exploring more and more. A rollercoaster of flavor in a bottle.

Crazy how one beer can do a lot in one. I have had several of the best beers in the world and to some that have exceeded my expectations usually fly because of their caramel or chocolate sweetness or just some crazy flavor that is so awesome and overwhelming. This one exceeds my expectations because you get a variety of many aspects of beer(bitter, sweet, sour, smokey, tangy, fruity and hoppy) and they are all balanced, delicious not too overwhelming. No wonder for people, this is once of the best Imperial stouts in the world and well, damn hard to find. It is definitely up there with the Founders KBS, Bourbon County Stout and others. Although Chocolate Rain is the major bad ass for me simply because it is pure chocolate in a bottle. But this definitely in great world class league and can still compete. As it warms ups it goes up to more chocolate covered raisins and vanilla flavors 😉

Firestone XVI Sixteenth Anniversary Ale by Firestone Walker

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Rating: 5.5/5 (Just like last years version, harder to explain. Strategy guide included) (https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2012/10/26/firestone-xv-fifteenth-anniversary-ale-by-firestone-walker/)

Firestone XVI Sixteenth Anniversary Ale by Firestone Walker is a 13% ABV Strong Multi-liquor Barrel Aged Hybrid Blend Ale. If Last year’s beer was the Akira of beers, this beer ascended to another dimension of flavor and complexity. A Goku super saiyan of sorts. Maybe Kaiohken x20 Goku. I should mention by the way. Since this beer is stupidly complex, the flavors change with temperature. Meaning every sip will evolve into different flavors. I kid you NOT!!!. Why the fuck do you think this has a strategy guide :/. Hell, even me, I am not sure if I can explain all the flavors to the fullest. And like the stories where the people visit some mountain or some island or even reach the bottom of the ocean or go digging for archeological treasure a la National Treasure in search if riches or even…the truth, along the way, you may get buzzed enough to lower your senses. Meaning you will not be able to fully find the treasure hidden beneath as you wont be able to taste anything if you finish the bottle. A “Shut up and Take My Money” moment in beerdom. Buy one before they run out!!

Label:
The Aging Cellar – The Components
We blended together 226 oak barrels and 8 different beers creating something truly complex and exceptional. 

The following are descriptions of key components with their original code names:

Velvet Merkin (8.7% ABV) – Aged in Bourbon barrels
-Traditional Oatmeal Stout (23% of final blend)
OG= 15P FG=5.5 IBU=32.5 Color= Black / 15% Oats / Hopped with 100% US grown Fuggles

Stickee Monkee (12.5% ABV) – Aged in Bourbon and Brandy barrels
-English Barley Wine (22.5% of final blend)
OGP FG=5.4P IBU=45 Color=28 / Brewed with Mexican Turbinado (Brown) sugar

Double Double Barrel Ale (14.2% ABV) – Aged 100% in retired Firestone Union barrels
-Double strength English Pale Ale (20.3% of final blend)
OG=25.0P FG=5.1P IBU=30 Color=16 / A Double version of our flagship created by Ali Razi

Parabola (13% ABV) – Aged in Bourbon barrels
-Russian Imperial Oatmeal Stout (10.8% of final blend)
OG=31P FG=8.5P IBU=80 Color=Black / Hopped with Simcoe, Bravo, Styrian Golding and East Kent Golding

PNC (13.0% ABV) – Aged in Tequila barrels 
-American Strong Buckwheat Stout (8.1% of final blend)
OG = 25P FG = 5.0P IBU = 80 Color = 100 / Brewed with Buckwheat

Helldorado (11.5% ABV) – Aged in Bourbon Barrels and Brandy barrels
-Blonde Barley Wine (5.4% of final blend)
OG=24.7P FG=4.5P IBU=24 Color = 8 / Brewed with buckwheat honey & 100% El Dorado hops

Bravo (13.4% ABV) – Aged in Bourbon and Brandy barrels
-Imperial Brown Ale (5.4% of final blend)
OG=26.5 FG=7.7 IBU=35 Color=32 / Hopped with 100% US grown Fuggles

Wookey Jack (8.3% ABV)- 100% Fresh, Dank & Hoppy 100% Stainless Steel
-Black Rye India Pale Ale (4.5% of final blend)
OG= 18P FG = 3.0P IBU = 80 Color =black / Extremely hoppy double dry hopped BIPA

As a finished beer, XVI takes us back to some of the wonderful dark notes (the black keys) that I remember from the original 10 blending. XVI is 42% stout with Velvet Merkin, Parabola and “PNC” working together as three roasty toasty friends that create rich cacao, chocolate and mocha flavors together. “PNC” also introduces tequila barrels into our blend for the first time and brings some interesting south of the boarder spirit notes to the mix – a welcome twist. Helldorado, with flavors of lavender honey liqueur was again a favorite of the winemakers and made the cut adding some flowery notes. DDBA continues to deliver its signature American toasted oak, English caramel toffee and light leather nuances. DDBA was also release on its own in 2012 and is now established as a solid annual brew. Stickee Monkee is fast becoming one of our favorite pieces with its rich maple syrup, spicy cinnamon, and ripe fig flavors which has developed into a bolder cousin of perennial blend component Bravo who carries barrel character and bourbon notes like no other. The additional twist this year is Wookey Jack, Black Rye IPA with its wily citrusy hop notes and spicy rye backbone. The finished blend is unfiltered and unfined, so there will be a small amount of sediment in the bottom of the bottle. XVI is best enjoyed poured carefully into a half filled brandy snifter or red wine glass. Allow it to warm to 55F to fully enjoy the pleasing and complex aromas. It takes a while, but as this beer sits and breathes in the glass, more rich dusty chocolate, stone fruit and crème brulee character is reveled as the rich spirit characters fade – so take your time. If you wait to open your bottle later, store it in a cool dark place. I suspect that this beer will age well and change favorably for years to come. It was an absolute pleasure in the making and I truly hope you enjoy our Seventh oak-aged blend! The journey continues and its just as fun and exciting now as it was back in 1996. Thank you so much for spending a little time with us!
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Did you catch all that?? okay good. Now let’s go explore this briny deep. Lets start with the Event Horizon, A.K.A Aromas. Smells like coconut, coffee, Frappucino, bourbon, caramel, vanilla, chocolate, whiskey, bubble gum, bananas, plums, Key Lime pie, hazelnut and agave. I have had agave iced tea (Agave Lechugilla from Guadalajara, Mexico) and tequila. I have also had other Tequila Barrel Aged beers, so I will be looking for these things in the flavors. Right off the bat, you are bombarded by flavors, but stay close, the journey gets rough… Coconut, vanilla, toasted bread, milk and dark chocolate, coffee, raisin, plums, cherries, pecan pie, bananas (like the chunky munky icecream), hazelnut, walnuts, almonds, burnt sugar, nutmeg, capirotada (Mexican pastry with nuts and raisins, sometimes with leche nestle [sweetened condensed milk]) and Danish cookies. As the beer got warmer, it stayed primarily on the banana and pecan pie flavors where at first it had the coffee, whipped cream, cherry and chocolate, more danish cookies, peach, mango, Reese’s dipped in strawberry and blueberry and spread on a French Crêpe with maple. The Coconut, vanilla, bourbon lingers all around. There are flavors of vanilla and cinnamon with pecan pie notes and agave is what stays in the after taste. Maybe the agave was overwhelmed by the other flavors but it sure comes out to shine in the sweet after taste. As the glass goes on (mind you, This is still the first 8 oz glass, it has been more than 30 minutes of waiting and the beer just keeps….EVOLVING. I am semi buzzed at this point so like I was saying earlier, I may not find the truth still…or the treasure of all the flavors presented in the complexity of this beer. My mouth is left with sorrow because the beer evolved into this sweet pastry my mom used to make with Eggs and Leche Nestle 😦 . Now that was true deliciousness . Crusty, oily, super sweet, creamy…. I cannot say anymore. This is a supreme dessert beer. Only reason it did not get a 6 is because I could not find everything and well, When a beer like Black Tuesday, Chocolate Rain, White Chocolate, Sexual Chocolate or even Choklat tell you…this is pure liquid bliss, then you better listen. This beer was way better than last years beer. I will be buying another bottler soon enough. Maybe the aging/evolution process will take it to a 6 or more…who knows :O …Why are you still reading this…. GO FIND THIS GOLD NOW!!!

Porcine Unidragon by Clown Shoes

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Rating: 4.8/5

Porcine Unidragon by Clown Shoes is a 12.5% ABV Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels

Label:

This is Blaecorn Unidragon made with Beechwood Smoked malt, which adds a natural meaty note (there is no actual meat in the brew). Aged 100% bourbon barrels. Little piggies run, squeal to the heavens: Clown Shoes wishes you luck.
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A strong stout brewed in the path of Tactical Nuclear Penguin but not as strong and more noticeable flavors. Smells like chocolate, campfire, coffee, coconut, vanilla, caramel and marinated BBQ pork. This beer is not purely smoke and roast. This beer is more like a sweet BBQ over an open flame while sipping on some hot chocolate on a really cold camp ground wrapped up in a blanket. Flavors are pretty reminiscent of that. Dark Chocolate, coffee, vanilla, toffee, caramel, coconut from the bourbon, some what a flavor of Rum, oak wood, smoked malts with somewhat of a bacon and maple syrup or sweet honey barbeque. The beer feel kinda warm going down. So like I was saying earlier, definitely for the winter. It warms up the body and it delicious. Stout and smoked beer lovers will like this one. The level of harsh smoke is not there, it is well balanced with the sweet bourbon. Try it out if you dare…

Sexual Chocolate by Foothills

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Rating: 5.75/5

Sexual Chocolate by Foothills is a 9.75% ABV Russian Imperial stout aged in Bourbon barrels. If a beer was like having sex, maybe the flavor and aroma would be so good it would make some orgasm….maybe..lol. This is a beer you take your time with. Too fast would make you pass out. LOL!!

Label:

A smooth, dark, cocoa infused Imperial Stout barrel aged for 4 months. Perfect for sipping and cellaring. A rich chocolate aroma twines seamlessly with delicious overtones of bourbon, vanilla, and oak. Notes of espresso, black strap molasses and caramel accentuate a dark chocolate backbone and complex layers of toffee and dark fruit.This beer is reminiscent of the Nectar Ales Black Xantus (which pairs awesome with chocolate cheese cake) with its delicious dark fruit flavors like cherry and raisins. Rich Milk chocolate, coffee, mocha, vanilla, caramel, bourbon, butterscotch, toffee, coconut, cherries, raisins, figs, oatmeal, french toast with chocolate and maple syrup. Maybe not as strong in terms of alcohol as Chocolate Rain or White chocolate, but it sure as hell gets way up there in the upper rank breaking beers for me :P. What can I say, I love chocolate, I love chocolate beers and these just happen to be that good and unfortunately hard to find. Consider yourself lucky to find this…Foothills was kind to release this once more this year but unfortunately at a limited supply.

Folklore, The Tale of Van Winkle by Stillwater Artisanal

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Rating: 5/5

And so it was written, a return of Folklore. I have previously stated much about the original beer, the beer of myth and legends (https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2012/10/20/folklore-mythic-tradition-ale-by-stillwater-artisanal/)

The Folklore Mythic Tradition ale by Gypsy Brewer Stillwater Artisanal now brings forth a chapter in brewing arts…Folklore, The Tale of Van Winkle. The original Folklore aged in freshly emptied 20year old Pappy Van Winkle Oak Bourbon Barrels coming in at 8.4%ABV.

A recent chapter in the tribute to human history which the myths and legends shape the cultures all over the world. Rituals, gatherings, celebrations or just being social and sharing stories. The original Folklore had elements of good and evil which is important in cultures and decision making. This barrel aged version bring a tale as well….similar to the show of life….Doth Fate Raise the Curtains and let the show commence…..

-=The Show of Life=-
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg4I_ZjiUMs)
by Billy Shakesbad, begins….OLD NICK: Woe be woman, whose fate it is to serve.MEPHISTA: May thy tongue shrivel, that it spews such falsehoods.

OLD NICK: Ah, but does not a man pull thy strings?

MEPHISTA: We are all but puppets of greater powers.

OLD NICK: Puppets? As in the Show of Life? Truly, birth doth draw wide the curtains. And woman, are thy lines scripted? In that I can be no one but myself, I can say only my lines. So sad, to be so constrained.

MEPHISTA: It is I who feel for thee. Thine own role and fate has ever been written, while mine own changes with each breath. Yea, tho puppet I be, it is hope, faith, and love that pulls my strings.

OLD NICK: Woman, mine ears do sting from thy tongue. I shall away in search of easier folly!
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Original Story by Squaresoft Inc. from the Secret of Evermore SNES Game
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So what is brought forth in terms of smell and flavor…the original was like a Belgian Stout full of flavors or chocolate, coffee, bread and dark fruits. The fragrance of this is similar with the chocolate, coffee, but there is a rush of caramel and vanilla bourbon. The flavors are similar of oak, cherry, raisins, rye bread, dark chocolate, coffee cake, vanilla, dulce de leche, vanilla, whiskey, molasses, and licorice. The aftertaste is like a dipped peach in chocolate and whiskey. I recommend this one simply because Stillwater has yet to provide a disappointing beer. I love the art work and I love the beer it comes with. Some day I am sure California will have this more often >:)…..

Thus the curtains close on this fine tale/brew and many a brew be brought forth for many morrows…….

White Chocolate by The Bruery

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Rating: 6/5

White Chocolate by The Bruery is a 14.25%ABV WheatWine Ale Aged in Bourbon Barrels with Cacao Nibs and Vanilla Beans. The Polar opposite of the Chocolate Rain. Can be aged up to 5 years. 

Label:

The primary component of our “White Oak” ale is a 100% barrel aged wheat wine that we affectionately refer to as “White Oak Sap.” Essentially a “summer” barley-wine style ale, but made with a wheat heavy grain base, White Oak Sap is aged in used bourbon barrels for nearly a year and comes out rich in flavors of coconut, honey, caramel and vanilla. To compliment the already rich flavors of the beer, we’ve added cacao nibs and vanilla beans to give this beer the delicate flavor of white chocolate…hence the name. This is where the ultimate in brewing alchemy comes together to combine flavors to create something so ridiculously sweet and awesome. Now in the past I mentioned about how chocolate rain had become one the best and sweetest beers out there for me, well right in part to that comes this one. The White Chocolate. This totally smells and taste like ripe and strong white chocolate. It is strange because they use wheat so you also get these very faint heffeweizen orange and banana bread in the back. Quite the dessert beer here. There is a lot of flavors of caramel, vanilla, honey orange, sweet bread, maple, strong white chocolate, bourbon, cocoa, hazel nut, pecans, chocolate chip and cinnamon . While this is a strong alcoholic beer which should be taken lightly and a sip at a time, it is also super sweet. LOL like another Diabetes in a bottle. I have never tried a white chocolate beer. This one really takes the cake in terms of different types of beers ever. It is the best “rarest” beer in the world for me along with chocolate rain. That being said, I still consider Trois Pistoles and St. Bernardus the best in the world simply because they are easier to find. White Chocolate and Chocolate Rain are just a chocolate lovers dream. Those and Southern Tier choklat which is lighter. Would I recommend this?? You are damn right I would. Sweet tooth and Chocolate lovers will die with this one. Should be on the bucket list lol. Now I can scratch this off my list ;P

Fruet by The Bruery

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Rating: 5/5

Fruet by The Bruery is their 4th Anniversary Ale. It is a 15.5% ABV 100% Old Ale style aged in Bourbon Barrels. This is one amazing beer and Falls just in line with the other great Bruery beers I have tried like Black Tuesday, Tart of Darkness and Chocolate Rain. Diabetes in a bottle…LMAO!!. The old ale or stock ale style is a style made centuries ago that is full of dextrins creating a full malt beer. It is aged for in barrels for several years and reaged once more. So initially when they started, they had old beers and re added new batch to it. It truly is a 4th Anniversary ale…no joke!!!

Label:
Fruet is our fourth anniversary ale. It is the same recipe as Papier and our other anniversary ales, and again was created using the Solera method. Each year we will continue to blend old barrels of anniversary ale with a new batch of the same beer, adding an additional layer of complexity that will grow over time as we continue to age and blend with each anniversary, creating an older average age to the ale. This year, for the first time, we are ONLY offering the 100% bourbon barrel aged version of our anniversary ale. It has taken us four years to work up our capacity enough to do this and we are extremely happy about this offering.
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The smell of the beer reminds me of how good Chocolate Rain and Black Tuesday smelled. Roasted Coconut, Chocolate, pecan pie, dulce de leche and dark fruits, Flan, vanilla, sweet condenced milk (Lechera). That is just the smell. The taste is simply phenomenal!!!! Just like the smell, chocolate, pecan pie, dulce de leche, flan, condensed milk, bourbon sweetness without the alcohol. Coconut, caramel, raisins, figs, red grapes like wine, oak, burnt toasty sourdough bread, toffee with almonds…. OH WOW!!…Just WOW!!!!!!!Be careful drinking this one, it will get you in trouble, maybe not in the level of chocolate rain but surely close. This beer hides alcohol very well….not recommended for the lighter beer drinkers…There is a reason why this one in particular was pricey. Some of the beers I get are decent price that I could afford, but this one?? No…..they took care of this one. It isn’t pricey like a wine but it runs you about the same price as a bottle Patron Tequila. Price aside, this is a true collection beer. Only God knows how long this can be aged for. It is amazing that these types of beers exist out there and they are on a level of their own. The fact is that there is beer that can be considered like a collection is crazy. I think it honestly depends on what you are looking for that may make or break what you would consider the best beer in the world. In my Journey I have found the St. Bernardus abt 12 and Trois Pistoles to be the best in my opinion. But this is just my journey, what about yours? I mean for most people they would settle upon any beer they would find delicious, make it a favorite and say it is the best. That is awesome really. As for me…. I have done a lot of tasting and research on this category and this type of beer makes me realize that maybe at some point I should just settle with what I got :)…. Gold is out there…some people believe it is what they want and they will stick to it. Even people out there that say bud light or corona is the best, then so be it. I applaud you because at least you stand for what you like. As for me, I will keep searching and presenting you here with the many beers you may potentially run into and try. It may make you see beer and art alittle differently. If I have done at least that favor to you that that is all I ask. Oh yeah…. by the way… as the dude from beer geek nation would say…Life is too short…drink amazing beers!!!…. and additional to that quote, if you go down knowing that you lived your life by your terms and means, then no one can take ever take that away from you…..Cheers!!!

Chocolate Rain by The Bruery

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Rating: 6/5 *This may have just become my favorite beer ever…

HEY EVERYONE…WHO WANTS DIABETES IN A BOTTLE?? LOL just kidding…Actually only partially kidding ….. >.>
This is Chocolate Rain, by The Bruery. It is Whoopin’ 19.5%ABV Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon barrels with cocoa nibs and vanilla beans. Well.. I don’t even know if it should be categorized as an imperial stout, more like a very complex boozy chocolate syrup drink with some major major chocolate infusion going on. Literally, the most chocolate rich beer I have ever had. The strongest beer I have ever had aside from Tactical Nuclear Penguin at 32% ABV. To me, maybe I just set this as my all time favorite. Choosing Trois Pistoles and St. Bernardus mixed in high amounts of chocolate may make something similar to this…..maybe.

As soon as I opened this bottle I realized the beer was too extreme for me. It smells like hazel and pecan pie with Chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate and did I mention chocolate drizzled all over that pie with whip crème and cherries on top. That was just the smell. The taste was a maelstrom of rich complex chocolate, dark chocolate mocha, pecans, almonds, dipped in dulce de leche, vanilla, browney batter, bourbon, raisins, cherries, raspberries, Leche Nestle, Epitome of Sugar dimension times 10….. This is the ULTIMATE dessert beer. Adding ice cream may actually put you in a comma. Either that or drinking the whole bottle. BE VERY CAREFUL!!! As delicious as this is, one could get carried away. A beer designed to age for many many decades…

Love Child No. 2 by Boulevard Brewing

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Rating: 4/5

Love Child No. 2 by Boulevard Brewing is a 9.6%ABV American Wild Ale aged in Bourbon Barrels. Made with 2 lactic cultures such as Lactobaccillus and Breattanomyces. This beer is a sour ale. It is not to the level of tart or funk as some of the Jolly Pumpkins I like but more like a fruity sour. Flavors are this are like very tart but sour sharp, cherry cobbler or sour cherry pie with 

raspberries and wine. The bourbon notes are minor in this one although in the back end there seems to be some caramel, honey and vanilla notes. Some apples, lemons and orange grapefruit is alittle noticeable. I first saw this beer in Iowa when I went to go visit my friend Steve. I meant to get it but I decided I would find it another time. It is a very decent sour ale. The fruitiness covers up most of the sourness of it so it is very enjoyable. Give it a go if you can find it too 🙂

Black Tuesday by The Bruery

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Rating: 5/5 

Black Tuesday by The Bruery is an 18.2% ABV Imperial Stout. SHIT…just as I was typing this information about Black Tuesday, all of a sudden Facebook goes down..LOL conspiracy…>.>…oh well.. I am still reviewing this for the people…yes… GOLD it is….Still I can’t help wonder if there was a reason for this or just a coincidence…either way….here it is…

Label:

“I cannot help but raise a dissenting voice to statements that we are living in a fool’s paradise, and that prosperity in this country must necessarily diminish and recede in the near future.” – E.H.H. Simmons, President, NYSE, January 1928 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wall_Street_Crash_of_1929 Our infamous Black Tuesday is an Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon barrels for over a year. Rich caramel, toasted malt, vanilla, burnt wood, anise are just a few of the many flavors of this rich, decadent imperial stout.
ABV: varies, IBU: 40, SRM: 100
http://vimeo.com/16035690
http://vimeo.com/7322604

Did I wait??? no… I did not… I did not wait to get this… I had some sources…but I go it anyways…This is the answer to Dark Lord Imperial Stout…for California…This cannot be beer…beer has some form of alcohol. I cannot sense any alcohol..EXTREMELY SMOOTH!!!….All I sense if pure chocolate, chocolate, dark chocolate, mocha, roasted coffee, bourbon, vanilla, burnt sugar, cherry, sweet plum and raisin, sugar glazed just for fun, oh yeah and more sugar. A smokey sugar honey glazed ham with glazed over more sugar. WOW…. just ..wow….it really is the end here…diabetes in a bottle..wonder what people will say…it will be the crash of 2012 but many will be like …none ..none of this matter… either that or just go insane….as for me…just chill here…hangout and relax…Stouts lover…. Extremely sweet beer chocolate lovers with well… palate of smoke…go find this..this beer survives economical, social, natural and any hardships you can think of. Damn it all!!! I like this even better than Dark Lord Imperial….take in with EXTREME CAUTION…save the rest for later

Double Bastard Ale aged in Bourbon Barrels by Stone

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Rating: 5/5

Double Bastard Ale aged in Bourbon Barrels by Stone is their 2009, Quingenti Millilitre, 11.5% ABV Hell of a vintage American Strong Ale…. Damn that’s a Sentence full. Even so is the description:

Take the famously lacerative muther of an ale, double bastard, age it in bourbon barrels for a couple of years and what do you get? 1) Lucky if you get any at all. 2) Lighter in the wallet as we’re not going to age it on our dime. 3) Envy and heart ache: You’ll have to deal with the envious actions and reactions of those you previously thought of as supportive friends and you’ll have to endure the heartache of knowing that basking in the glow of this ale will be fleeting at best – an all-too-brief respite from the harsh, unforgiving reality that is life – and then gone. So, you’d better be damn sure that now is the right time to open this …. but you’ll never know if you don’t – Greg Koch

Damn it Greg :(…why you gotta be such a bastard…LOL…well at least I hope this review helps friends try this and find out what its about. Good thing I still like to recommend and at times share some good beers with my friends and good people :). I was able to find this by mere luck at some random liquor shop…aging for sure…Upon opening this one it shot out in a raging inferno of fragrance. Oak Bourbon, sweet sugar, caramels, dates, raisins…damn. Flavors are of the double bastard with the bourbon. Caramel, vanilla, bourbon, raisins, barley wine. The piney, grassy aggressive hops linger at the back with an over all buttered up toast bread after taste. It feels like I just had a nice buttery toast breakfast. Man… this seems that way. Being a fan of the Regular Arrogant Bastard and the Double Bastard, it was worth the again and worth the find. I really, really, REALLY HOPE stone releases this again. It’s not even too aggressive bastard. It is like the bastard became classy and sitting by the fire smoking a pipe…LOL…damn good beer. Can’t finish the entire thing…saving it for later….the alcohol..well…what alcohol?? There is no alcohol hardly.