Gratitude - Irish Coffee Whiskey Barrel Aged
East End Brewing Company

Solidy turbid acorn brown with a short but densely level tan head.

It smells like a certain sort of spiciness, almost chipotle or something, but taste is surprisingly balanced in comparison, as toasty caramel toffee malts meet mildly bittering pine before the coffee and cream give a unique softening accent that isn't cloyingly pastry-like, yet makes for a pretty tasty variant. It's almost got a toasted marshmallow vibe to it, but doesn't clash somehow.

 

Poured from the can into a teku glass.

Beaming bright ruby dark red, with excellent clarity and gem like highlights. Khaki and yellowed rich top, tall at an easy three fingers with thick retention and lacing.

Delicious aroma that is even bold off the pour and noticeable. Excellent notes of cream with and soft muddled citrus to pitted dark fruit notes. Light touches of barrel wood notes, not quite getting coffee but a very good sweet vanilla tone that is exquisite. Real impressive aroma regardless.

Palate is real nice and classic in the Gratitude line. Creamy touching notes of vanilla and caramel, mild hits of whiskey but not very distinguishable in terms of origin. Bit of a spiced kick and less emphasis on fruit, but still lighter touches of lemon, but more of and emphasis on hop pine action coupled with a boozy punch that elevates some of the bitterness. Mild coffee, more in a Baileys cream like way than roast power.

Pretty fun take on the Gratitude barleywine variant.