Alpha Hop Society: Barrel-Aged Cherry Stout
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
- From:
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Style:
- American Imperial Stout
- ABV:
- 10.5%
- Score:
- +6 ratings needed
- Avg:
- 4.2 | pDev: 4.52%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 3
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Dec 11, 2022
- Added:
- Nov 05, 2021
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 0
NO SCORE
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If the best things take time, this beer was in no hurry. We’re not just talking about its 1.5 years in bourbon barrels. “We pretty much shut down the brewhouse at every step,” says AHS brewer Nick Ison. It was one of the longest runoffs ever largely because of mash-tun additions of almond meal & dried tart red cherries. But moving slow meant a thorough extraction of flavor, & once the kettle was finally in motion, brewers layered in cherry puree, cocoa powder, & cocoa nibs. After its oak slumber, the finished beer immediately reminded AHS Jeff White of amaretto cordials, the indulgent chocolate candies. Notes of cherry weave through the distinct malty richness & its super creamy mouthfeel invites you to linger over dessert. Age up to 1 year.
Recent ratings and reviews.
Reviewed by turfy from Texas
4.29/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.29/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Poured a very dark brown, almost black body with a thin, quickly dissipating dark tan head. Aromas of cocoa/chocolate, bourbon and a small amount of cherry. Taste was mainly chocolate and bourbon, with that touch of cherry...not cloying at all. Enjoyed the feel of this stout...not too heavy, not too thin, just right for the taste with medium carbonation. Again, another Alpha Hop beer from SN that impresses.
Dec 11, 2022
Reviewed by QuakeAttack from California
4.03/5 rDev -4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.03/5 rDev -4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I was looking forward to this beer, but it didn't live up to my expectations. While the cherry and cocoa were well balance, the based stout was lacking and there was little to no barrel notes. It appeared kind of flat (no head) and not much lacing. Oh well...
Jan 10, 2022
Reviewed by CarolinaCardinals from North Carolina
4.46/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.46/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Picked this up at the Mills River Brewery on 10-11-21 as offering #4 of the 2021 Alpha Hop Society. Consumed bottle #4 for review 11-12-21.
Beer poured black with a nice tan head that has some hang time.
Nose is very nice, bourbon barrel forward intermixed with cherry.
Taste is really well done. A nice large malt base takes on the bourbon from the barrel. Cherry is layered in expertly as is the cacao. Finishes a tad sweet but is balanced at the same time.
Mouthfeel is medium to large bodied and very smooth and silky.
Overall this is a really good release. Shared with my tasting group a few weeks ago and they were very impressed. This is my favorite release to date. Nice job SNBC AHS team!
Nov 12, 2021Beer poured black with a nice tan head that has some hang time.
Nose is very nice, bourbon barrel forward intermixed with cherry.
Taste is really well done. A nice large malt base takes on the bourbon from the barrel. Cherry is layered in expertly as is the cacao. Finishes a tad sweet but is balanced at the same time.
Mouthfeel is medium to large bodied and very smooth and silky.
Overall this is a really good release. Shared with my tasting group a few weeks ago and they were very impressed. This is my favorite release to date. Nice job SNBC AHS team!
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