Bourbon Cask Aged Belgian Dark Trippel
The Livery

 

Multiple, I paid for that, samples at Great Taste of the Midwest 2009.

A-Deep mahogany with a thin off-white head that retained well and left spotty lace.

S-Tart fruit notes of tangerine/peaches with notes of oak, toffee and sweet biscuit. Light touches of spicy yeast and a bit of mustiness in the back.

T-Amazing pop of tart nectarines with lots of supporting sweet caramel and biscuit malts in support. Nice complimenting yeast/hop spiciness and dry oak.

M-Medium bdied and very smooth. Lingering tartness with a drying finish.

D-Holy Cow...this was in my top 3 for the 2009 GTOM. This brew was so drinkable it was scary to think it is 16%, where's the alcohol heat? I could not believe how much fruit flavour came through heaving it's way out of it's spicy yeast and barrel aging confines...simply outstanding!

Poured black in color with brown and ruby accent in the light, no head whatsoever into a snifter. Smells of prunes and raisins, very rich and also pretty boozy. There is also a faint smoky character in the aroma. Taste shows some rich sugary malts up front that have a little prune-y flavor like an aged beer. The sugary sweetness quickly gives way to some cola flavored sweetness. Maybe a hint of vanilla but not much. The finish is big and bourbony. Medium to heavy in body, the sugary malts are quite creamy up front and are followed by a nice, slightly spicy and warm, and quite dry bourbony finish. I also had some bourbon aged wheat trippelbock, although this beer showed much more bourbon character. If you like whiskey, you can't miss with this beer. Drinkability was only limited by its strength for me, outstanding.