Barrel Aged Run For The Roses
Goose Island Beer Co.

(Served in a snifter)

A- The jet-black body has a beige head with a peach hue to it that fades to a thin ring but is sticky.

S- The vanilla woody aroma has chocolate malt notes in the finish. There are bourbon notes come though as the beer opens up.

T- The taste of paper straws, vanilla, chocolate malt and some woody coconut qualities. There is a touch of bourbon underneath. The finish is a bit dry with a nice earthy roasted flavor that lingers a bit.

M- The light mouthfeel has a tight little fizz and a warming alcohol heat.

O- Nice complex easy drinking flavor for such a big beer. The chocolate flavor mixed with bourbon flavors and the dry malt makes this interesting.

 

Served in a snifter with virtually no head. There is a slight surface costing and a little lacing, but not much otherwise. Beer itself appears black, but shows to be slightly translucent when held to the light. Aroma is a powerful blast of bourbon, oak, vanilla, and chocolate. Taste starts with a moderate sweetness. Chocolate comes on strong, then vanilla, and a slight hint of irish cream. Fusel spice is strong on the finish. Full bodied with lighter carbonation. An enjoyable beer - essentially BCS chocolate, which isn't a bad thing.

Served in a snifter at GI Clybourn 12/15/11. Thanks to HeatherAnn for the assist! Extra special thanks to Electric Hawk for bringing the rock later that evening!

A: Served pitch black with a thin, off white layer of foam on top. Decent retention, but not too much in the way of lace.

S: Aromas of vanilla, bourbon, roasty malt, and dark chocolate.

T: As above, but with more emphasis on the chocolate. Bourbon is there but relatively restrained.

M: Pretty true to form. Dry and spicy with a tiny bit of barrel sweetness.

O: Dug the dryness and really appreciated the restraint of the bourbon. Nice.

Great finger of head developed. Quickly dissipates to an appreciable froth and mocha collar. Low lacing and stickiness.

Intense bourbon character even cold. Vanilla coconut and custard. The triple milk threat. Sharp dark fruits on the rims. Like.... Cranberries mostly.

Flavors... Intense. Bourbon astringency and sweetness. This is like a shot of bourbon dropped in my stout. You have the sweet caramels, minor molasses, vanilla coconut toasted almond amalgam. All at once off the bat. It's like the beer is just a vehicle for bourbon flavors. Finishes clean and dry. Love bourbon nature, its harmed by the crisp beer at times.

Crisp carb initially, then it goes creamy, bit of bite from bourbon. Not smooth enough to be velvety. Sticky, leaves a woody grain feeling.

Not bad. Definitely good.

 

 

Barrel aged Irish stout. $8.00 for a snifter.

A: jet black, nice creamy, dense head that eventually dissipated
S: intense and deep bourbon but balanced by rich roasted malt
T: good bourbon taste, nice roasted Irish stout, the bourbon plays well with the style but may be a bit overpowering for the lower ABV and style
M: lighter bodied stout, strong bourbon