Dark Rye Lager 2014 Bourbon Barrel Aged
Angel City Brewery

 

 

 

Pours a huge, half the glass, head so be careful, deep tan in color and mainly medium to large bubbles, dimpled surface, once some glass surface becomes available the lacing is thick and quite sticky. The liquid is a dark and murky brown color, lightens into a gauzy orange around the glass bottom and rims, strong visible beads of bubbles. The bourbon plays by far the major role in the nose, vanilla, butterscotch, caramel, root beer, not quite smoky though, poached peach and apple fruit scents, there is a sort of hot car seat plastic thing going on, semi-volatile. Full-bodied, the carbonation adds more creaminess than freshness. That cream soda to root beer aspect continues, again smoother barrel flavors like vanilla, caramel, not toasty. The rye is most present retronasally in fume form. Apricot, apple, pear fruit not as concentrated as in the nose and tends to trail off by the end. For all the overt presence of the bourbon barrels, in the end it has a sour profile. Coming across as faded and muted even at this young stage, being a 2014 bottling. No flaws, but needs more verve and energy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a great beer if you are a fan of 1. Los Angeles based brews and 2. Bourbon aged anything despite what brew type because lets face it, you are a fan of good beer and not strictly IPAs because you are a silverlake area hipster.

There is a fair amount of alcohol and bourbon taste but it is not overpowering enough that it ruins this brew. Check it out if you got the chance.

Bottle I brought to share at Retsinis' tasting.

2014 vintage.

Pours a murky dark orange-brown with a foamy khaki head that settles to a partial film on top of the beer. Small streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, plastic, bourbon, and wood aromas. Taste is much the same with slight plastic and bourbon flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of wood bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is an average beer that is drinkable, but there is an odd plastic quality coming through in both the smell and taste.