Oak-Aged Fritz Reserve Imperial Amber
The Covey Restaurant & Brewery

10 oz. pour at the brewpub. The regular Fritz Reserve was a one-time only beer that was brewed in celebration of the birth of the brewmaster's second child. One keg's worth of beer was saved and was aged for several months using oak staves.

The beer pours a hazy brown color with a large tan head. The aroma is caramel, brown sugar, pine and alcohol. The flavor is where this beer really shines. The beer is incredibly complex. When the beer is colder, I get a lot of brown sugar, molasses, oak and vanilla, as well as some piney hops and toffee. As the beer warms, I get more caramel and bourbon notes along with some nice orange citrus hops. Medium bitterness. Heavy alcohol warming. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

This beer is incredibly complex and very enjoyable. This beer is right up there with the Aduro Porter as far as best beers I have tried from The Covey. If I was forced to choose between the two, I think I would have to take this one.