Barrel Aged Popskull
3 Floyds Brewing Co.

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From:
3 Floyds Brewing Co.
 
Indiana, United States
Style:
American Brown Ale
ABV:
11%
Score:
92
Avg:
4.24 | pDev: 10.85%
Reviews:
14
Ratings:
22
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Mar 20, 2014
Added:
Apr 13, 2010
Wants:
  7
Gots:
  2
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by nickd717:
Photo of nickd717
Reviewed by nickd717 from California

4.22/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Had this beer on tap at FFF after DLD, when I definitely shouldn't have been drinking anymore, but oh well.

Pours from the tap a cloudy dark reddish-brown color with a one-finger tan head.

Aroma is really excellent. There is a nutty, chocolatey brown ale base that is really enhanced by the barrel notes. Oak, bourbon, and lots of vanilla come through.

Flavor is way better than regular Popskull, which I found fairly boring and lifeless. Rich chocolate malts, caramel, pecans and other nuts, and vanilla, as well as dark fruits, oak barrel, and well-integrated bourbon. Decadent stuff, this is.

Fairly full-bodied and smooth on the palate with average carbonation for a barrel-aged beer. Just a little boozy, but not more than you'd expect given the ABV.

Drinkability is not great on this one, as it does overwhelm the palate before too long. Overall though, I was very impressed. The magical art of -bal aging succeeds once again in creating a great beer from a slightly above average one.
Apr 27, 2010
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.5 by ronn from Indiana

Mar 20, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by CityofBals from Illinois

Sep 12, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by MasterSki from Canada (ON)

Apr 01, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by MordorMongo from Indiana

Jan 13, 2013
 
Rated: 5 by atoulouk from Indiana

Nov 05, 2012
 
Rated: 5 by tjfilippo from Illinois

Jun 28, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by birdsellam from Indiana

Feb 16, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by jdhende from Illinois

Nov 28, 2011
Photo of alleykatking
Reviewed by alleykatking from Indiana

4.2/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had on tap at DLD. Review from notes..

A- Pours a hazy darker reddish brown color. One finger brown head that shows lower retention. Some light lacing left on the glass....not much though.

S- Typical brown ale aroma. Popskull seemed to mellow out in the barrel. Light toasted malts mix with a nutty aroma in the front. Oaky bourbon notes come in the middle with a hint of vanilla. The bourbon notes last through the ending of the aroma tingling my nose with some alcohol as well.

T- I thought Popskull was good but this was great! There is a light toasted malt that kisses chocolate tones in the front with some nutty off flavors. Bourbon and oak with some vanilla dominate the backend of the taste with light charred flavors in the backend overall.

M- Medium heavy mouthfeel. Carbonation was a little lacking for the beer but I suppose good for the style. Toasted malts left on the palate with tons of bourbon and oak in the aftertaste. Alcohol big in the backend drying the palate big time while sipping. Flavors are well balanced for a BA beer.

D- This beer was devine. I did like Popskull but this one was great for a BA beer. I couldn't drink a whole lot of this but my glass did it's job and put me in a good mood.
Sep 15, 2010
Photo of Kegatron
Reviewed by Kegatron from Pennsylvania

4.37/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
On tap @ the Three Floyds Brewpub (Munster, IN) on 4/24/10 during Dark Lord Day. 8-10 oz pour served in a snifter.

Pours a dense black in the glass, with a head that consists of some off-white foam around the edges and thin wisps in the center. This retains some great richness on the edges when swirled, leaving a good bit of spotty froth and brown oils down the sides of the snifter. The aroma is just as dense as that color. Chocolate, burnt molasses flavor, roast, gentle nuttiness and some herbal character. The bourbon is showing itself fairly well here with a gentle boozy presence, while extra notes of vanilla and burnt wood from the barrel are a little better integrated in with the other base flavors.

The taste is thick with chocolate, toffee, fruit, vanilla, roast, and some earthy hop character in the back. Charred wood tones are present and the bourbon this time is mostly relegated to the out edges of the flavor profile. Warmth and dryness permate the finish on this, which definitely has some presence to it. The mouthfeel is full bodied, with a massive sharp prickliness to the carbonation that pretty much stays that way during the duration the swallow. That 11% ABV gives this some rather beefy strength but I'm really only getting some alcohol warmth on the tail-end of the feel. Some nice rapid sipping going on with this guy!

While I never found the Popskull itself to have a ton of depth, this was however a perfect base for that bourbon barrel to latch onto, filling in the blanks so to speak, and really raising things to another notch. Awesome barrel-aged offering here that was one of my favorites from the weekend.
Apr 30, 2010
Photo of Viggo
Reviewed by Viggo from Canada (ON)

4.12/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap at 3F, night before DLD.

Pours a hazy and opaque dark brown, almost black away from the light, thin brown head forms, quickly settles down to a thin ring around the glass, a few lace spots stick.

Aroma is intense, tons of barrel character, bourbon, oak, lots of vanilla, some herbal character, light chocolate and roast, alcohol, pretty boozy nose, barrel kind of takes over but I like it.

Taste is similar, lots of barrel, big vanilla and coconut, wood, chocolate, some light roast, alcohol, dark fruit, a bit of raisin oxidation, bourbon and whiskey, herbal finish.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied with low carbonation, some heat going down. I didn't like Popskull that much so for me this is an improvement, even though its 99% barrel character.
Apr 29, 2010
Photo of Wisconsinality
Reviewed by Wisconsinality from Wisconsin

4.02/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Had this on tap the day before DLD at the Three Floyds Brewpub.

A- Pours a jet black with very minimal head, almost none to speak of. Surprising enough, some decent head is left on the side of the glass.

S- Big amounts of bourbon, oak and vanilla in the front. A little bit of nuttiness that is typical in a brown ale and as it warms, the alcohol begins to make its presence known.

T- I had to wait a little while to drink this because it was served way too cold, I would have to say about 10 minutes. The bourbon is a little more mellow than in the nose but with much more vanilla. Quite nutty, maybe some almonds and pecans. As with many bigger BA beers, the alcohol comes out more and more as it warms.

M- Silky smooth, coats the mouth and warms the throat. You wouldn't be able to tell by looking at it but a good amount of carbonation adds a small bite.

D- A pretty smooth beer that goes down fairly easy. Even if you wanted to have a few of these, you would have to wait too long to let them warm up to suitable temps, again because they serve it way too cold.
Apr 28, 2010
Photo of nrbw23
Reviewed by nrbw23 from Ohio

4.32/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A- Pours dark brownish red with slight ring of a tannish brown head. Head fades away rather quick and leaves a bit of lacing here and there.

S- Quite a bit of bourbon, chocolate, vanilla, caramel, vanilla and roasted malts. Maybe a b it of a nutty smell here too.

T- Taste is quite boozy, bourbon, light notes of chocolate, vanilla, and caramel. This is a great tasting beer.

M- Fuller side of medium in body and carbonation seemed to be about right on.

D- This brew was great. One of my favorites that I enjoyed on DLD. If you get a chance grab this one up.
Apr 27, 2010
Photo of chaz01
Reviewed by chaz01 from Ohio

2.81/5  rDev -33.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Had this on draught at FFF a few days before Dark Lord Day.

A: Jet black with a brownish head that recedes quickly.

S: Bourbon and vanilla in the aroma. I felt like I could get a buzz just smelling this beer. The alcohol aroma was overpowering a bit.

T: Taste is vanilla, bourbon and tart fruit, such as cherries.

M: Medium bodies with a sweet finish that leaves an alcohol and vinegar taste.

D: The bourbon and alcohol overwhelm this beer making it a bit unpleasant. Certainly an interesting beer to try once, but not something I'd order again.
Apr 27, 2010
Photo of sweemzander
Reviewed by sweemzander from Illinois

4.32/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
8oz. tap pour into a stemmed glass @ 3 Floyds tap room.

(A)- Pours a pitch dark brown; nearly black color. Produced a light layer of tan colored lace.

(S)- A boozy alcohol smell behind some roasted cocoa, vanilla, and a spicy/smoky type aroma.

(T)- Pretty much like the smell. A dense roasted cocoa, molasses, & vanilla profile. Finishes in a light smoky spicy heat.

(M)- A good carbonation level. Thick, almost chewy feel to it , but it doesnt bother me. Primarily malty & sweet with a light smoky spice & a present alcohol bite.

(D)- An interesting beer for sure. It really pushes the limit of what the style can be; one of the more dynamic beers I have had of the style. Strong, rich, and thick. Definitely something special for a cold cold night. I would love to see how it would age, but sadly, 3 Floyds doesnt bottle this.
Apr 25, 2010
Photo of Nesued
Reviewed by Nesued from South Carolina

4.67/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Enjoyed at the Three Floyds Brewpub, the afternoon/evening prior to Dark Lord Day 2010. An incredible find in my opinion.

Appearance - Rich deep brown/abyss red coloring with a limited head. Little carbonation, little lacing but this does not detract from the overall presence of this beer.

Smell - Mild and mellow bourbon nose. Some woody notes as well as some vanilla trace aromas. Sweet sugar/molassas and caramel.

Taste - A very warming opening a mellow malty middle-game and a smooth bourbon finish. Wow, this is a rich delicious beer that improves as it warms, as you would expect any great single-malt/bourbon. The ABV is well-hidden and will indeed "sneak up on you" if you do not respect was this offering has in store.

Mouthfeel - Perfect. Not too dense and not too "vapor-like". Some mild carbonation allows for some added body, but nothing detracts from the "sipper" classification of this offering.

Drinkability - ok.. DFH's Brown ale is great, their San Palo Marron is outstanding, popskull is excellent, and BA popskull is amazing. An outstanding "evolution" in the american brown ale style. Well done to both breweries.
Apr 24, 2010
Photo of pwoods
Reviewed by pwoods from Ohio

4.22/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Served in a foot chalice at the brewpub the day before dld '10.

A: pours a very dark brown. A little Botox head retention and lacing.

S: Lots a bourbon with plenty of dank woody oak. Light sweetness on the nose from the vanilla. Big brown base.

T/M: Lots of bourbon flavor with more of the dark woody flavors. The sweetness is a bit bigger but nothing crazy. Big brown base with a decent kiss of hops. Body is medium or so with light carbonation. The bourbon seems to have thinned things a bit.

D: ABV has to be pretty big but this drinks relatively well.
Apr 23, 2010
Photo of mcallister
Reviewed by mcallister from Ohio

4.4/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Very dark brown with some ruby notes and a small tan head that fades quickly.

Great nose, bourbon, chocolate, wood, juniper, vanilla, blackberry, blueberry, molasses, oaky, weet brown sugary aromas.

Damn this is tasty nig bourbon, thick with vanilla toasted oak, charred,malts, hints of smoke, brown sugar mollasses, hints of ginger root and more wood. Delicious.
Apr 22, 2010
Photo of BeerFMAndy
Reviewed by BeerFMAndy from Wisconsin

4.22/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4
10 (or so) oz tap pour into a stemmed glass at Three Floyds in Munster, IN. 24 IBUs, 11% ABV, $9

Shared with Sweemzander.

A - The tap pour is an almost black dark amber-brown with a thin dark tan head. Low retention to the foam with a ring left over and a thin coating of lace inside the glass.

S - Deep barrel aged bourbon nose with a strong backing of toasted amber and caramel malt with smooth vanilla and a maple hint. No hops come out of the aroma at all.

T - It's a really rich flavor of bourbon but not incredibly boozy. It leans more towards the barrel flavor. Maple baking with molasses, toasted rich caramel malts, sweet chocolate, and a flavor almost characteristic of a Scotch ale.

M - Full-bodied and rich to the point of being a bit syrupy. Smooth though with low carbonation involvement on the finish. A strong warming sensation from the alcohol lingers on the back end.

D - It's certainly a sipping beer though the alcohol isn't boozy even though it is rather noticeable. Great flavor and balance too.
Apr 20, 2010
Barrel Aged Popskull from 3 Floyds Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 92 out of 100 with 22 ratings