Whiskey Barrel Aged Amber | Brewerianimelogs (Anime and Beer Lore)

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.
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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

Rating: 4/5

Whiskey Barrel Aged Amber by Indian Wells is a 12% ABV Imperial Red/Amber Ale Aged in Whiskey Barrels. First Barrel Aged Amber I have ever tried.

Label:
As a young boy in the 1940’s, Cliff Fyffe used to Contemplate the old, broken whiskey barrels in the Evan Williams Distillery Yard. He noticed the barrels were sweating out the aged Kentucky whiskey in the summer heat. The whiskey would pool in the barrels in amazing quantity. Cliff shared this memory with the Indian Wells Brewing Co. founders, Rick and Greg, who suddenly had an inspiriation! They reached out and contacted Evan Williams Distillery directly and ordered a dozen, 55 gallon, used oak barrels that had held their flagship whiskey for two years.

Indian Wells Brewing Co. then left these barrels in the direct Mojave Desert sun until the whiskey sweated out. When the barrels were ready, they brewed a special ’amber’ style lager by using their own natural artesian spring water, filling the whiskey barrels and allowing them to lager down to 34-degrees for months. Our own delicious whiskey barrel aged amber lager. It pairs well with BBQ and is just great for sipping.

We hope you enjoy drinking it as much as we enjoyed making it.

Cheers, Rick and Greg
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Got this one at Emilio’s Beverage warehouse in Lakewood CA. Never really tried a barrel aged amber before so I figure why not. The aromas are of Vanilla, coconut, bourbon, caramel, banana, cherries, maple, oak, walnuts and pecans. The taste of the beer are of Caramel, vanilla, bourbon, peanuts, pecans, cherries, whiskey, marshmallows, apples, apricots and cereal grains. Not the best Barrel Aged beer out there, but definitely a little better than some of the other ambers I have tried. The flavors are not super intense. The whiskey and alcohol are more noticeable in the aftertaste than other beers. Although the burning is not there. While the amber style is not my supreme favorite, I really think this one is definitely worth a try. Barrel Aged beers just add more to a regular beer. However, some may not agree. In this case, for me it was above average. I must have got the good bottle 😛