Barrel Aged Stout
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Pours pitch black with a thick tan head. Hmmm. Flavor is odd. Too much wood and more than a fair portion of vanilla. Seems a bit out of balance here. Something just isn't meshing. Feel is fine, but it doesn't matter. We're out of wack on this one IMO. Not really working for me.

On tap at O'Brien's Pub 14th Anniversary Barrel-Aged beer night 1/15.
A- Pours a dark brown/black hue, off-white head dissipates, minimal lacing
S- Nose is a mix of oak, cherries, and alcohol, tones of dark fruits and bourbon, solid malts throughout
T- Initial taste is quite subtle with a wood presence, cherries, chocolate and coffee malts ride the background, finishes bitter and clean
M- Medium-texture, chewy thick texture, mild carbonation
D- Well-balanced beer, the wood intermingles well with the malts and dark fruits, no one component takes over, easy drinking

Pint at O'Briens in San Diego on Tuesday night for four dollars

Color was pretty close to black but definitely a dark brown when held up to the light, small 1/4 inch light tan head that disappeared quickly, not much retention but some impressive sticky lacing

Smell was full of bourbon, vanilla and chocolate, roasted malt, boozy aromas, lots of oak, and a very small amount of dark fruit

Taste had strong bourbon and dark chocolate tastes from the very beginning, also some strong oak flavors, tasted a lot like an imperial stout at times even though it is definitely not, lots of malt in this one with virtually no hoppiness, did not taste any fruity accents even though there was some in the smell, got sweeter as it warmed, bourbon made this one taste good and was present the entire time, provide a nice spicy flavor towards the end, nice barrel aged beer overall

Body was nice and thick, felt like there could have been some more carbonation though, creamy mouthfeel that left a nice texture in the mouth

Could not drink much more than a pint of this, it is heavy and most likely pretty high in alcohol even though it is hidden nicely, taste does keep you coming back for more though

One of the best beers I have had from Sierra Nevada, probably second to their Harvest Ale, did not even know this existed until I got to the bar that night, nice surpise, recommended to try if you are a fan of barrel aged stouts

08/11/07- Had on tap at the Toronado 20th Anniversary party.

Presentation- Via the tap into a standard pint glass.

Appearance- Medium black in color. Off brown 1/4 inch head which faded quickly. Some light lace patchwork.

Smell- Bourbon notes are fairly large compared to the lighter roasted malt. Light vanilla scent as well as a bit chocolaty.

Taste- Again, bourbon barrell is the main flavor. Seems like it overtakes some of the better qualities their normal stout has. Chocolate is there, but covered up as well as a light coffee flavor. Mostly a bourbon flavor.

Mouthfeel- Credit given for it's lower carbonation and it's creamy texture.

Drinkability- I'd go for their regular stout over this one any day of the week. If they had toned down the bourbon a bit, it probably would have been a great beer. As is, it's good, but a bit overdone.