Alpha Hop Society: Barrel-Aged The Golden Talon
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
- From:
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Style:
- American Imperial Stout
- ABV:
- 14.5%
- Score:
- +9 ratings needed
- Avg:
- 4.29 | pDev: 0%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 1
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jul 26, 2024
- Added:
- Jul 23, 2024
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 0
NO SCORE
-
-
This beer began with Narwhal Imperial Stout aged 3-4 years in bourbon barrels, including Buffalo Trace, Wild Turkey, Breckenridge, Balcones, and Four Roses. The best barrels were hand-picked and blended, then finished in Eagle Rare barrels.
Recent ratings and reviews.
Reviewed by CarolinaCardinals from North Carolina
4.29/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.29/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Original Review
Picked up the 2nd 2024 allocation at the SNBC Alpha Hop Society party in Mills River on 7-20-24. 2024 bottling review of bottle #1 7-26-24.
Beer poured black with a very nice brown head that has some decent hang time.
Nose is very nice as i am getting notes of dark chocolate, coffee, leather, and bourbon.
Taste follows the nose as the large Narwhal malt base is giving a roasty espresso bean and dark chocolate profile. Barrel provides a heavy dose of leather and some wet barrel whiskey.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied and smooth.
Overall, this reminds me of the old school BCBS when the barrels were wetter and hot. As much as i hate to say it, this probably needs to rest for 2-3 years for more nuancing and flavor. Fun to try, nice to see SNBC go big on the barrels!
2nd bottle 1-1-2026
nice barrel characteristics, has mellowed a bit but still on the hot side. Notes of chocolate and vanilla. Not quite BCBS but a very good brew.
Jul 26, 2024Picked up the 2nd 2024 allocation at the SNBC Alpha Hop Society party in Mills River on 7-20-24. 2024 bottling review of bottle #1 7-26-24.
Beer poured black with a very nice brown head that has some decent hang time.
Nose is very nice as i am getting notes of dark chocolate, coffee, leather, and bourbon.
Taste follows the nose as the large Narwhal malt base is giving a roasty espresso bean and dark chocolate profile. Barrel provides a heavy dose of leather and some wet barrel whiskey.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied and smooth.
Overall, this reminds me of the old school BCBS when the barrels were wetter and hot. As much as i hate to say it, this probably needs to rest for 2-3 years for more nuancing and flavor. Fun to try, nice to see SNBC go big on the barrels!
2nd bottle 1-1-2026
nice barrel characteristics, has mellowed a bit but still on the hot side. Notes of chocolate and vanilla. Not quite BCBS but a very good brew.
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