Bourbon Barrel Aged Blitzen
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery

Glass on my last visit to the La Jolla location for around six dollars, glad to see it there after I regretfully skipped at a festival a few weeks before, 2007 vintage, reviewed from notes, color was either amber or a medium orange, on the brighter side, 1/2 inch slightly off white creamy head that did not last long, no lacing either, aroma was bourbon, green apples, mild hops, strong sugars, and a hint of booze, tasted was sweet at first, then somewhat spicy in the middle from the whiskey, finish was a little hot for my taste but not too bad, not as fruity as the aroma, mouthfeel was hot, slightly sweet, and sometimes dry, medium bodied, low level of carbonation, taste lingered a long time, could drink a few glasses, not too heavy but it is strong, alcohol is not hidden great either, this was the best beer I have had from a Rock Bottom to date and by far, get some before it runs out over the holidays

I had this one at the Orland Park Rock Bottom on 11/11/2008.

A= This beer was served in a brandy snifter. It poured a cloudy, medium golden/brown color with a small yellowish head. The head quickly dropped and did not leave much lacing behind.

S= Overbearing aromas of bourbon on top of mild hints of grainy sweetness and some alcohol. Not a lot of fruity Belgian esters made it through the bourbon I am afraid.

T= Much like the smell, dominant bourbon flavor coupled with malt sweetness made this one sweet beer. Pretty much all of the Belgian yeast character seems to have been lost. Heavy liqour/alcohol notes made this a very warming sipper.

MF= Heavier body with a mild carbonation. Very smooth, even more so as it warmed.

D= I have mixed feelings about this. While this is a very drinkable beer, it resembles in few ways the beer that went into that barrel a year ago. Much more bourbon barrel than tripel here.