Barrel Aged Stunna Shade Stout
Pizza Port Solana Beach

Poured dark, dark brown, nearly black with mahogany edges. The head was short and thin, but it left more room for the beer in the 12 oz glass. Low-lying aroma of chocolate and coffee, but accompanied by a rich, bourbon nose. Vanilla and oak are each present, as is a touch of caramel. Lovely taste. Lots of bourbon, but not enough to turn it into a boilermaker. Smooth, alcoholic, a lot like a liquer. The vanilla and oak compliment the base stout flavors of chocolate malt, dark chocolate, and a molasses-like sweetness. Pleasant repreive from soy sauce. A bit salty and earthy, in a Scotch whiskey way, as the beer warmed which was very nice. Creamy mouthfeel, lower carbonation, and no stickiness. Was a bit loose, but the taste more than made up for it.

Sampled at the 2008 Strong Ale Festival, consumed 12/5/08, reviewed from notes, also one of the VIP beers, color was a very dark brown that was almost black, 3/4 inch creamy tan head that lasted a few minutes, some retention, minimal lacing, aroma was full of vanilla, dark chocolate, lots of roasted barley, oak, bourbon, and dark malts, flavor was similar to the smell but had a much larger grainy feel, it was hotter than expected too, big whiskey presence, this is probably because Stunna Shades is not that big of a beer in the first place and it absorbed quite a bit of it, mouthfeel was on the thicker side with hot, sweet, and chewy characteristics, medium bodied, on the creamier side, medium carbonation, long lasting taste with the whiskey, could not drink much of this at all, maybe a full glass, too boozy in the flavor, needs some more foundation before it is let loose in the wooden barrel, glad to see Solana Beach stepping out of their comfort zone, interesting brew and I recommend trying it

On tap. This is their Stunna Shade Stout aged in a Bourbon Barrel.

Poured a dark black color with brown edges and a very small sized off white head. Aromas of chocolate, roasty, lots of vanilla, bourbon, and some woodiness. Tastes of vanilla, chocolate, roast, and bourbon. Body a tad on the thinner side (product of the barrel aging?).