Knock On Wood Bourbon Barrel-Aged Stout
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Black with a beige head, 1/2" deep, aroma delivered on bourbon and chile peppers, both in restraint.

Taste was lots of roasted, thick, chewy malt, bourbon complimentary. Not overly hopped or bitter. Chocolate mouthfeel, good amount of 2 row, peppers right in that zone of adding to the beer but not distracting from the other ingredients.

I dunno if people just think bc Sierra Nevada got big doing something else, they can't barrel beers, but this is just another example showing they can.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On tap at the FW invitational. Black with tan head. Dark black, like pitch black. Aroma of mild peppers and bourbon, also mild. Pretty nie.

Taste, similar to Black Butte XXIII, but without the citrus notes (orange peel) and a little more in terms of heat from the peppers. Like BB, this is a great meld of the bourbon flavor, but without it overpowering the rest of the beer. As usual, the base seems to have all of Sierra Nevada's credibility for making a sturdy stout, but without the higher hopping of some of the others (probably not to bring the chili pepper heat out any further, a wise decision).

Plenty of chocolate in the mouthfeel to help with coating the palate and keeping it from getting burned, only pleasantly warmed. Good thickness, they didn't cheap out on ingredients. Really they went with the perfect balance of wood, chocolate, bourbon and peppers here. And carbonated it in a way that is befitting of a magnificent beer. Top notch.

 

Draft at Monk's Cafe in Philadelphia, PA.

Pitch black and completely opaque with a two finger mocha head that slowly settles into a lasting cap.  Streaks and spots of lace left behind.

Sweet, slightly spicy aroma with a really nice barrel presence that smells like it's nicely integrated into the base beer.  Hits of toasted oak, vanilla, marshmallow and a decent amount of spicy bourbon that doesn't overpower the malt notes.  I can still pick up some chocolate, caramel, toffee, toast and a very faint chili presence.

Medium bodied and very similar to the aroma with a well integrated bourbon barrel character.  Dry toasted oak and vanilla flavor with smooth, spicy bourbon that's countered by sweet and roasted malt notes. Hints of chocolate, coffee bean, oatmeal and roast.  Really well balanced and even though there is plenty of bourbon flavor, the ABV is excellently masked with no heat whatsoever.  Very nice.

On-tap at Aces and Ales Strong Beer Fest 2012 in Las Vegas

A - Pours a pitch black color with a very creamy brown head that leaves some beautiful lacing as it slowly fades.

S - The smell is of bourbon-ey coconut and some dark chocolates from the roasted malts.

T/M - The front part yields some of the bitter hops, and bitter dark chocolates. The aftertatse is of pure bourbon. Coconut and woodsey oak stick to my tonuge after I swallow. Medium-heavy, creamy mouthfeel.

O - This has to be one of my favorite bourbon barrel-aged stouts I've ever had. Easily drinkable, smooth going down, great flavor profile. This one is an amazing brew for sure!

On tap at OBF.

The beer pours a blackish brown color with good head retention and considerable lacing. The nose is pretty spectacular, as I get some dark chocolate, coffee, vanilla, light bourbon (wish there was more) and chili. The flavor profile replicates the nose, and on the palate, I'm definitely picking up some heat from the chilis in this beer. Mouthfeel is medium bodied to full, though I think the mouthfeel could have been softer and fuller. The finish is fairly long, with some light licorice, bitterness and heat from the chilis.

Very interesting and impressive beer from SN.

On-tap at Oakquinox

Pours almost black in color with a small tan head. The peppers are there, but not quite as pronounced as expected. A light fruitiness along with heavy wood notes and a moderate bourbon aroma. Plenty of roasted malt and coffee, too. The flavor is heavy on the roast with a light smokiness and spice. The chocolate is there, but not all that prominent. Moderate bourbon and barrel flavor, but not as intense as some of the other barrel aged beers out there.