Barrel-Aged Maple Stout | Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Brewed by:
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
California, United States
sierranevada.com
Style: American Imperial Stout
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 13.40%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
None provided.
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Ratings: 165 | Reviews: 24
Reviews by beerdrifter:
4.28/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Some friends picked this up from the Brewery store for me. Thick, pitch black pour with a one finger caramel-colored head with decent retention and nice lacing. The nose is earthy and really boozey with of hints of toffee, espresso, vanilla, leather, oak, cocoa, and maybe some maple hiding under the bourbon. While the taste follows the nose by being booze forward, the flavors aren't so overpowered and lost. Big toffee, oak, and caramel notes along with hints of vanilla, molasses, tobacco, dark fruit, black cherry, espresso, licorice, and dark chocolate. The maple really emerges as this thing warms and definitely loses the battle to the bourbon, but is still way more prevalent than many of the maple beers I've experienced. The mouthfeel is thick and syrupy but surprisingly drinkable for a 13.4 ABV beer. Overall, this is a bold and boozey beer, but it's very complex and hugely flavorful. I'm really thinking the two I have in the cellar will only improve with age. Yet another example of why Sierra Nevada is one of my favorite breweries.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Some friends picked this up from the Brewery store for me. Thick, pitch black pour with a one finger caramel-colored head with decent retention and nice lacing. The nose is earthy and really boozey with of hints of toffee, espresso, vanilla, leather, oak, cocoa, and maybe some maple hiding under the bourbon. While the taste follows the nose by being booze forward, the flavors aren't so overpowered and lost. Big toffee, oak, and caramel notes along with hints of vanilla, molasses, tobacco, dark fruit, black cherry, espresso, licorice, and dark chocolate. The maple really emerges as this thing warms and definitely loses the battle to the bourbon, but is still way more prevalent than many of the maple beers I've experienced. The mouthfeel is thick and syrupy but surprisingly drinkable for a 13.4 ABV beer. Overall, this is a bold and boozey beer, but it's very complex and hugely flavorful. I'm really thinking the two I have in the cellar will only improve with age. Yet another example of why Sierra Nevada is one of my favorite breweries.
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More User Reviews:
4/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A-Black in the glass with a two finger brow head
S-Maple, which is on the border of too sweet, chocolate as well. Little to no barrel character and coffee are present.
T-Maple. Mainly maple. It seems to dominate the other flavors. The barrel and coffee are unable to come out as much as they should.
M-Lighter to medium for the style.
O-It was still a good beer, but if the maple could have been balanced out a little more, it would have been great.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A-Black in the glass with a two finger brow head
S-Maple, which is on the border of too sweet, chocolate as well. Little to no barrel character and coffee are present.
T-Maple. Mainly maple. It seems to dominate the other flavors. The barrel and coffee are unable to come out as much as they should.
M-Lighter to medium for the style.
O-It was still a good beer, but if the maple could have been balanced out a little more, it would have been great.
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4.18/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
No bottling date that I could find.
A: Pitch-black pour with a nearly-black tall fizzy head. Head dissipates almost immediately with no retention or lacing at all. Beer looks practically still within seconds.
S: Heavy bourbon. Lots of sweet caramel. Light marshmallow and toasted sugars. A bit stinging in the nose, definitely a big beast. Lightest hint of maple though it might be the power of suggestion.
T: Similar to the aroma. Heavy, heavy bourbon initially. Loads of caramel and toffee. Heavy, sharp and boozy. Maple comes through in the middle and then the lightly bitter coffee kicks in. Mainly in the finish and aftertaste. The bourbon is so strong that you can barely get any coffee - which might be a first (coffee usually being such a strong addition). Coffee has almost no bitterness since this beer is so strong and sweet. More of an earthiness than anything. Aftertaste is drying oak and more caramel with just a kicker of bitter coffee grinds. After a while between sips, everything fades but the coffee sticks around. Boozy aftertaste too; belly warming.
M: Heavy and sweet but huge barrel presence really cuts it down. Sharp and boozy. Quite dry too, especially in the aftertaste.
O: One big beer. Huge base beer with big barrel presence with lots of maple and coffee to make it even more complex. A lot going on in this one with pretty decent balance (although the barrel is borderline over-the-top). Regardless it's still huge and it's a bit to take in. It's a sipper for sure.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
No bottling date that I could find.
A: Pitch-black pour with a nearly-black tall fizzy head. Head dissipates almost immediately with no retention or lacing at all. Beer looks practically still within seconds.
S: Heavy bourbon. Lots of sweet caramel. Light marshmallow and toasted sugars. A bit stinging in the nose, definitely a big beast. Lightest hint of maple though it might be the power of suggestion.
T: Similar to the aroma. Heavy, heavy bourbon initially. Loads of caramel and toffee. Heavy, sharp and boozy. Maple comes through in the middle and then the lightly bitter coffee kicks in. Mainly in the finish and aftertaste. The bourbon is so strong that you can barely get any coffee - which might be a first (coffee usually being such a strong addition). Coffee has almost no bitterness since this beer is so strong and sweet. More of an earthiness than anything. Aftertaste is drying oak and more caramel with just a kicker of bitter coffee grinds. After a while between sips, everything fades but the coffee sticks around. Boozy aftertaste too; belly warming.
M: Heavy and sweet but huge barrel presence really cuts it down. Sharp and boozy. Quite dry too, especially in the aftertaste.
O: One big beer. Huge base beer with big barrel presence with lots of maple and coffee to make it even more complex. A lot going on in this one with pretty decent balance (although the barrel is borderline over-the-top). Regardless it's still huge and it's a bit to take in. It's a sipper for sure.
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4.77/5 rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.32/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Poured from the Sierra Nevada tent at the FW invitational '13. Black pour, nice light brown head to it that was in a good proportion to the liquid in the glass. On a pint, it would be 1" of head. Sierra Nevada makes good looking beer, and this one was no exception.
Aroma left no concern that they skimped on the maple. The bourbon notes seemed very faint. Same with the coffee. What was there was good, a nice roasty beer with lots of maple notes. No alcohol.
Taste got better, even if the coffee and bourbon were far behind the maple flavor, like they were in the aroma. Again, no alcohol jumps out at you, drinks very easily. The chocolate flavor is more pervasive than the name of the beer would make you think. Coffee is minimal, but creeps in as the beer warms. Carbonation is spot on. Body and heft are as well.
The beer might be a little disappointing for those who want a bourbon bomb. If you like a maple stout that drinks effortlessly, this is your thing.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Poured from the Sierra Nevada tent at the FW invitational '13. Black pour, nice light brown head to it that was in a good proportion to the liquid in the glass. On a pint, it would be 1" of head. Sierra Nevada makes good looking beer, and this one was no exception.
Aroma left no concern that they skimped on the maple. The bourbon notes seemed very faint. Same with the coffee. What was there was good, a nice roasty beer with lots of maple notes. No alcohol.
Taste got better, even if the coffee and bourbon were far behind the maple flavor, like they were in the aroma. Again, no alcohol jumps out at you, drinks very easily. The chocolate flavor is more pervasive than the name of the beer would make you think. Coffee is minimal, but creeps in as the beer warms. Carbonation is spot on. Body and heft are as well.
The beer might be a little disappointing for those who want a bourbon bomb. If you like a maple stout that drinks effortlessly, this is your thing.
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3.92/5 rDev -6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle shared by Siearra Nevada rep. (thanks!) at RBWG-2014.
Black with brown edges and a fine head. Glass coated with thick tan foam with each tilt.
Thick and smooth but a little hot (too fresh)
Aroma has a nice balance of maple, bourbon barrel, and dark malts.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle shared by Siearra Nevada rep. (thanks!) at RBWG-2014.
Black with brown edges and a fine head. Glass coated with thick tan foam with each tilt.
Thick and smooth but a little hot (too fresh)
Aroma has a nice balance of maple, bourbon barrel, and dark malts.
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4.3/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.9/5 rDev +17.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
poured from 750ml bottle.
A- A beautiful frothy black hue with a quick khaki head
S- Bourbon, Maple Syrup and a rich coffee back. Wow!
T- Follows nose. So smooth and elegant. The Bourbon comes through on the finish while the coffee and maple play nicely up front.
M- Nice strong body and perfect carbonation.
O- I wish it wasn't only 1 per person at the release because I would love to see what this baby does with some age. With that said it was a true treat and I want more! ISO!
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
poured from 750ml bottle.
A- A beautiful frothy black hue with a quick khaki head
S- Bourbon, Maple Syrup and a rich coffee back. Wow!
T- Follows nose. So smooth and elegant. The Bourbon comes through on the finish while the coffee and maple play nicely up front.
M- Nice strong body and perfect carbonation.
O- I wish it wasn't only 1 per person at the release because I would love to see what this baby does with some age. With that said it was a true treat and I want more! ISO!
486 characters
4.36/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.09/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
The nose has a great chocolatey maple tone with a lot of vanilla sweetness from the barrel.
The taste starts oakey and woodsy, with a bit of alcohol saturated dark fruit. The middle is strong with the maple and bourbon before it ends with chocolate.
Very good, very tasty just light in its overall personality.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
The nose has a great chocolatey maple tone with a lot of vanilla sweetness from the barrel.
The taste starts oakey and woodsy, with a bit of alcohol saturated dark fruit. The middle is strong with the maple and bourbon before it ends with chocolate.
Very good, very tasty just light in its overall personality.
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4.41/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.23/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
4.25/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A: Pours black with half a finger of brown head that quickly vanishes with no lacing.
S: Maple, oak, and a big punch of bourbon dominate. Sweet chocolate, vanilla, and a bit of coffee linger underneath.
T: Maple and bourbon are first and foremost here as well. Semi-sweet chocolate, vanilla, and oak are all present as well. The coffee only shows up in a slightly roasted aftertaste along with a pretty significant alcohol presence.
M: Thick body with low carbonation, this beer is sticky sweet and thick.
O: A damn good beer, overall. The maple and bourbon are both delicious. It would be nice if the coffee were a bit more present along with maybe a creamier body and not so much booziness, but those are nitpicks in a great, heavy-hitting beer.
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look: 3 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
A: Pours black with half a finger of brown head that quickly vanishes with no lacing.
S: Maple, oak, and a big punch of bourbon dominate. Sweet chocolate, vanilla, and a bit of coffee linger underneath.
T: Maple and bourbon are first and foremost here as well. Semi-sweet chocolate, vanilla, and oak are all present as well. The coffee only shows up in a slightly roasted aftertaste along with a pretty significant alcohol presence.
M: Thick body with low carbonation, this beer is sticky sweet and thick.
O: A damn good beer, overall. The maple and bourbon are both delicious. It would be nice if the coffee were a bit more present along with maybe a creamier body and not so much booziness, but those are nitpicks in a great, heavy-hitting beer.
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Barrel-Aged Maple Stout from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
4.17 out of
5 with
165 ratings
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