Trip In The Woods: Barrel-Aged Ovila Abbey Ale
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

 

The mandarin orange and cocoa were gracioiusly suble and added an essence to the beer without defining it. The brandy barrel character was balance and reinforced the dark dried fruit character of the quad without overpowering it. Fairly dry finish making this 11% beer an easy drinker, perfect for sipping. Reminded me why Sierra Nevada is one of the best.

 

750 mL cork & caged bottle purchased at the Mills River taproom this summer. Poured into a teku glass at 55°F 11.4% ABV. The beer pours bright dark brown with ruby highlights and light brown head. The head recedes to a thin ring and partial layer of bubbles. Spotty lacing. The aroma is moderate in strength featuring cocoa powder, brandy barrel, and sweet malt. The taste is semisweet burnt sugar caramel & cocoa with notes of prune, leather, citrus, brandy, oak and rich, deep malt. Minimal bitterness. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with average carbonation and a mostly dry finish. No alcohol presence in the aroma or taste. Overall, very good to excellent strong Belgian style ale. Really well integrated and a true depth of flavor with each sip bringing a new experience.

750 ML bottle, 2019 vintage, poured into a snifter at 55 degrees F:
L - dark and murky with a head that immediately disappeared
S - bourbon, orange
T - wonderful blend of flavors, bourbon, mandarin, a bit of cocoa
F - thick mouthfeel with almost no carbonation
O - great beer, flavors blend together fabulously

Wow. This was special. Received a bottle as part of an Alpha Hop Society release. Poured into a goblet with a dark brown appearance, with slight redness. Smelled the sweetness of the chocolate and fruit. Ah, the taste and feel. So smooth to drink. Such a guilty pleasure. Love Belgian dark style and this had to be one of favorite ever. Just the right amount of barrel notes with the base beer.

Saved for my 100th Belgian dark strong ale, but unfortunately it disappointed. Pours beautifully: dark brown with a light brown head, light lacing. Smell has notes from the brandy barrel, more oak than booze, toasted caramel and nuts with dark cocoa and orange candy. Very holiday themed. The taste is the issue however, cocoa and malts are powerfully bitter and smoky, reducing the brandy to pure sweetener that clashes with the orange. Dark fruit is underneath but hard to get past. Feel is chewy, warm, yet sweet and somewhat harsh, full bodied. Love the series but this one missed the mark, adjuncts and barrel did not enhance the ale

 

 

 

 

Clear, mahogany , dark brown to red colored beer with a three finger high, smooth and creamy, beige head. A LOT of lacing stays on the glass.

Nose: Brandy, barrels, hazelnut, brown sugar, caramel and fudge.
Taste: Complex taste of oak, brandy, mandarin, cocoa, molasses, brown sugar, a hint of vanilla, orange, dried fruit and roasted nuts.
Mouth: Smooth! Almost no carbonation. Warming but no alcohol taste - so well hidden!

I must say: ABV: 11.4% - I would never guess! Silky smooth, easy drinking (!!) and almost oily - So good!

A richly flavored brew that is really smooth, dark, dank and delicious. Very expensive but you get what you pay for and pour for, right?
Find one, buy one.

Poured into a thick walled goblet, with a moderate pour generates a solid finger thick white tan head which sticks around for a while. On the nose there's the obvious Belgian characteristics, spicy, rich yeast etc. Taste yields an additional nip and warmth, presumably from the brandy barrels, rich chocolate notes, along with subtle fruits such as oranges, plums, and surprisingly ripe dark cherries. Mouthfeel is thick and sticky, as well as being quite viscous, but doesn't overstay its welcome and become overpowering. Overall a very cool experiment from Sierra Nevada, it's everything a trip in the woods brew should be.