Aces & Ates - Buffalo Trace Barrel-Aged
Big Boss Brewing

Served from tap into a Black & Blue III shaker. Poured almost pitch black with a very minimal khaki colored head. Maintained very minimal lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, roasted malt, dark chocolate, wood, coffee, sweet alcohol, and very subtle vanilla. The flavor was of roasted malt, subtle sweet malt, vanilla, sweet alcohol, wood, toffee, and subtle dark fruit. It had a medium feel on the palate with mild carbonation. Overall this was a pretty good brew. The flavor on this one was quite inspiring. All aspects of it were really well put together and balanced. The aroma on it was pretty nice as well, but nothing other-worldly unfortunately. Really glad I got the chance to try this one as I missed it at Duckworth's awhile back. Would love to have it again.

 

On-tap at a Big Boss event at Duckworth's Park Rd in Charlotte. Served in a pilsner glass.

A - pretty standard looking barreled stout - pitch black with barely any head, sparse spotty lacing

S - wow! vanilla, toffee, coffee, chocolate - rich and sweet doesn't really begin to describe it (I got a strange look from the owner of Big Boss for repeatedly smelling my empty glass)

T - amazing. the base beer is mildly roasted with coffee and chocolate notes. the barreled version improves on this base with beautiful vanilla and toffee notes. the wood smooths the roasty notes and the best of the barrel comes through - just a faint bourbon note with zero hotness or booze.

M - medium body, just a bit thinner than the regular version. light carbonation. nice, smooth, short finish of vanilla and toffee.

D - terrific execution of the barreling, imparting all of the desirable flavors with none of the unwanted ones. the Buffalo
Trace is fantastic and really shines in this one. even with the barreling and the sweetness it is very easy on the palate and very drinkable. please please make this again!