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Barrel Noir
Almanac Beer Co.
- From:
- Almanac Beer Co.
- California, United States
- Style:
- American Imperial Stout
- ABV:
- 10%
- Score:
- 91
- Avg:
- 4.07 | pDev: 8.85%
- Reviews:
- 78
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Jun 11, 2020
- Added:
- Feb 14, 2013
- Wants:
- 68
- Gots:
- 65
This oak-aged ale is our love letter to bourbon barrels. Barrel Noir is a sumptuous, inky ale that celebrates the velvety texture and subtle heat that only Kentucky charred oak can impart. Born from a blend of American imperial stout and Belgian-inspired dark ale aged in bourbon barrels, this rich brew can be paired with braised beef dishes and dark chocolates. Enjoyed best in front of a warm fireplace.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by busternuggz:
Reviewed by busternuggz from California
4.56/5 rDev +12%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.56/5 rDev +12%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a tulip.
Opaque brownish black with a puffy, bubbly khaki 1/2" head. Leaves persistent strands of lacing. Good retention, head holds at about 1/8" and comes back nicely with a swirl.
Big rich aromas. Fudge brownies, coffee beans, molasses, bourbon, vanilla. Very chocolatey. A little coconut, some roastiness. Immaculate, layered, and complex.
Similar notes in different order on the taste, leading with molasses and bourbon, dark chocolate chips, espresso, a little dark fruit- dates maybe, chocolate syrup. A bit sweet, but it ends with a little dry roastiness and lingering toasted oak that balances it well. As it warms the dark fruit starts to come off as acai berries. Everything comes together really well, like some delicious mocha bourbon berry milkshake.
Full bodied and creamy, smooth, ends lighter and a little drier than is starts. Not too thick, not too dry, compliments the taste well. Really nice.
Honestly this is one of the better imperial stouts I've had. Rich and complex, but balanced and well made. I am impressed. Dunno why this isn't more renowned.
Mar 24, 2014Opaque brownish black with a puffy, bubbly khaki 1/2" head. Leaves persistent strands of lacing. Good retention, head holds at about 1/8" and comes back nicely with a swirl.
Big rich aromas. Fudge brownies, coffee beans, molasses, bourbon, vanilla. Very chocolatey. A little coconut, some roastiness. Immaculate, layered, and complex.
Similar notes in different order on the taste, leading with molasses and bourbon, dark chocolate chips, espresso, a little dark fruit- dates maybe, chocolate syrup. A bit sweet, but it ends with a little dry roastiness and lingering toasted oak that balances it well. As it warms the dark fruit starts to come off as acai berries. Everything comes together really well, like some delicious mocha bourbon berry milkshake.
Full bodied and creamy, smooth, ends lighter and a little drier than is starts. Not too thick, not too dry, compliments the taste well. Really nice.
Honestly this is one of the better imperial stouts I've had. Rich and complex, but balanced and well made. I am impressed. Dunno why this isn't more renowned.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by Treyliff from West Virginia
3.85/5 rDev -5.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.85/5 rDev -5.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
375ml bottle poured into a snifter
A- pours a deep brown, nearly black color with just a bit of light creeping out of the edges. One-finger creamy khaki head that retains before settling into a ring around the edge
S- nice bourbon notes up front impart aromas of wet oak, caramel, vanilla & burnt brown sugar. Candied fruit yeast notes, chocolate, raisin & fig
T- sweet and malty up front with a candied Belgian sweetness,followed by notes of cocoa, fig & cola. The barrel notes kick in mid-palate and add some bourbon, and woody notes. The finish drops off slightly, leaving a hint of bourbon on the linger
M- medium-light body with moderate carbonation leads to a slightly foamy mouthfeel that drops off a bit in to the finish, abv has mellowed out well
O- the 50% belgian ale blend adds a different dimension of sweetness, well balanced overall
Oct 14, 2016A- pours a deep brown, nearly black color with just a bit of light creeping out of the edges. One-finger creamy khaki head that retains before settling into a ring around the edge
S- nice bourbon notes up front impart aromas of wet oak, caramel, vanilla & burnt brown sugar. Candied fruit yeast notes, chocolate, raisin & fig
T- sweet and malty up front with a candied Belgian sweetness,followed by notes of cocoa, fig & cola. The barrel notes kick in mid-palate and add some bourbon, and woody notes. The finish drops off slightly, leaving a hint of bourbon on the linger
M- medium-light body with moderate carbonation leads to a slightly foamy mouthfeel that drops off a bit in to the finish, abv has mellowed out well
O- the 50% belgian ale blend adds a different dimension of sweetness, well balanced overall
Reviewed by Rockjocknroll from California
4.38/5 rDev +7.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
4.38/5 rDev +7.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
(Only) vintage 2012. Drank Sept. 2016.
A: Tan head, almost pitch black. Pours readily; not as thick as in 2012 from what I remember. Mix of small and large carbonation...very interesting.
S: Molasses, caramel, raisins, lots of roasted malt. Almost a slight sourish twinge but not much.
T: Tons of coffee, roasted malt and chocolate. Bourbon becomes apparent quickly and lingers for days. You breathe out bourbon for a solid minute.
M: A little thin, carbonation is still tight and lively. Coats the entire mouth really well for how thin the feel is.
O: I'm glad I sat on one for so long but it likely peaked in the last year or two. Aroma has mellowed but the flavor is still rich and full with tons of big flavors. Even though the body is thinner it's nice...more drinkable but with lots to taste. This was the first beer that got me into big, BA stouts and it still holds up. I wish they still made this beer; all the noirs since have been let-downs compared to this beer, kind of like their sours with the same yeast over and over.
Sep 07, 2016A: Tan head, almost pitch black. Pours readily; not as thick as in 2012 from what I remember. Mix of small and large carbonation...very interesting.
S: Molasses, caramel, raisins, lots of roasted malt. Almost a slight sourish twinge but not much.
T: Tons of coffee, roasted malt and chocolate. Bourbon becomes apparent quickly and lingers for days. You breathe out bourbon for a solid minute.
M: A little thin, carbonation is still tight and lively. Coats the entire mouth really well for how thin the feel is.
O: I'm glad I sat on one for so long but it likely peaked in the last year or two. Aroma has mellowed but the flavor is still rich and full with tons of big flavors. Even though the body is thinner it's nice...more drinkable but with lots to taste. This was the first beer that got me into big, BA stouts and it still holds up. I wish they still made this beer; all the noirs since have been let-downs compared to this beer, kind of like their sours with the same yeast over and over.
Rated by TruePerception from California
3.81/5 rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4
3.81/5 rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4
On tap. Served too cold.
Aug 23, 2016Reviewed by mschrei from Illinois
4.34/5 rDev +6.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.34/5 rDev +6.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Lovely color. Dark center and lightens to the edges. Light head and lacing. Light particulates. Oaky syrupy smell. Molasses flavor, slight oakiness on the back end. Thin feeling, alcohol is lightly hidden.
Apr 29, 2016Reviewed by corby112 from Pennsylvania
3.8/5 rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.8/5 rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Thanks to sideshowe for sharing.
Pours a dark chestnut brown color that appears pith black and opaque in the glass with a 1.5 finger mocha head that quickly settles into a thin ring. Decent retention with sporadic streaks of lacing left behind.
Inviting aroma with a nice barrel presence that's nicely integrated into the other notes. Strong dark fruit esters and roasted malt character countering the wood and bourbon. Some charred oak and vanilla with vinous dark fruit and robust dark malts. Belgian dark ale notes stand out as it warms. Plum, fig and raisin along with roasted coffee, oatmeal and bitter dark cacao.
Lighter end of medium body with a delicate barrel presence that's nicely integrated into he imperial stout and dark Belgian ale flavors of the base. Some dry, toasted oak and subtle spicy bourbon with a touh of vanilla and toasted coconut. Not overwhelmingly hot or boozy with subtle spirit flavor. The dark ale portion of the blend is prominent with dark fruit esters giving off hints grape, cherry, plum and raisin. Stout notes are a bit overpowered with subtle roast, coffee bean, and oatmeal. Some lighter malt sweetness with caramel, toffee and sweeter chocolate notes. Really well balanced and the high ABV is well masked. Very easy to drink but it could use a bit more bourbon and stout character.
Nov 22, 2015Pours a dark chestnut brown color that appears pith black and opaque in the glass with a 1.5 finger mocha head that quickly settles into a thin ring. Decent retention with sporadic streaks of lacing left behind.
Inviting aroma with a nice barrel presence that's nicely integrated into the other notes. Strong dark fruit esters and roasted malt character countering the wood and bourbon. Some charred oak and vanilla with vinous dark fruit and robust dark malts. Belgian dark ale notes stand out as it warms. Plum, fig and raisin along with roasted coffee, oatmeal and bitter dark cacao.
Lighter end of medium body with a delicate barrel presence that's nicely integrated into he imperial stout and dark Belgian ale flavors of the base. Some dry, toasted oak and subtle spicy bourbon with a touh of vanilla and toasted coconut. Not overwhelmingly hot or boozy with subtle spirit flavor. The dark ale portion of the blend is prominent with dark fruit esters giving off hints grape, cherry, plum and raisin. Stout notes are a bit overpowered with subtle roast, coffee bean, and oatmeal. Some lighter malt sweetness with caramel, toffee and sweeter chocolate notes. Really well balanced and the high ABV is well masked. Very easy to drink but it could use a bit more bourbon and stout character.
Reviewed by IvoryFoxhole from Virginia
3.94/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.94/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Aged about 2 years. Poured into Belgian ale glass.
Pours a very dark chocolate brown with a 2 finger head that lasts a long while, leaving a ring and some lacing.
Smells of cocoa, bourbon, dried stone fruit.
Bourbon, coffee, cocoa, some raisin up front. Malt and some alcohol behind.
Reasonably well-balanced, maybe could have used another year or two. Medium-bodied, little carbonation, some alcohol burn.
Not bad.
Sep 13, 2015Pours a very dark chocolate brown with a 2 finger head that lasts a long while, leaving a ring and some lacing.
Smells of cocoa, bourbon, dried stone fruit.
Bourbon, coffee, cocoa, some raisin up front. Malt and some alcohol behind.
Reasonably well-balanced, maybe could have used another year or two. Medium-bodied, little carbonation, some alcohol burn.
Not bad.
Reviewed by Meryl from Massachusetts
4.65/5 rDev +14.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.75
4.65/5 rDev +14.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.75
Rich, chocolate, nutty, almost like a sweet oloroso sherry. Dried fruits (raisins, dates, figs) and a lighter body (bottled 2011). Rich umami and soy sauce notes round it out. Delicious.
Aug 27, 2015
Barrel Noir from Almanac Beer Co.
Beer rating:
91 out of
100 with
432 ratings
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