Ferocious Five Bourbon Barrel Brown Ale
Double Mountain Brewery & Taproom

Yet another July 2016 beer review. Dang this one is rated high, but small sample size thus far.

Can't even remember where I got this. Probably Belmont Station. Pours dark brown. Lighter brown head, didn't push too much carbonation, settled into a fine ring 1/5". Aroma yields a bit of moderately roasted brown malt and bourbon, would guess this is around 6 months of barrel aging.

Taste is a good chewy brown ale with a tasty smooth bourbon backdrop. I thought maybe the carbonation would be too low here after the pour didn't yield much, but it works to push an even smoother product. The alcohol heat isn't too bad for such a big beer. I wouldn't think it was over 10% when drinking. Small drops of chocolate malt alongside, don't think this is a sweet beer though, its more of a smooth beer with some of those bourbon and milder vanilla notes. The mild bitter note is mostly of a darker fruit kind.

I continue to be impressed with most bourbon barrel brown ales.

 

 

 

 

A - Very, very dark, rich dark chocolate head that has pretty good retention. Awesome looking stout.

S - Dark chocolate, coffee, and booze.

T - Very smooth. A little spice hits the tongue and then comes in the dark chocolate and it took awhile to figure what I was tasting (because I'm old) then bam! Licorice.

M - Very heavy and stays on the palette long after your last sip. Decent carbonation. Just dark yummy goodness.

O - Really amazing brew and so honored to have scored it when I did . Scored (3) 16oz for aging, gave one to my son.

Serving type: Bottle at the brewery

 

A 16.9 oz/500ml bottle, bought by my brother at the brewery in Hood River back in November 2012... it's been chilling in the fridge for 5 months since. Split with my wife to a pair of wide-mouthed tasting glasses.

A: Deep chocolate brown, impenetrable both for some mahogany clarity at the edges. No much of a head, more of a skim of mocha foam that recedes to the sides of the glass soon after the pour. Modest lace slides slowly downward.

S: Quite a 'bourbony' nose, opens up more as the beer warms. Sweet nuttiness and vanilla hints.

T: Cocoa, nut brown flavors, touch of earthy spice and lots of woody/vanilla bourbon sweetness.

M: Remarkably smooth mouthfeel, barely a carbonation prickle (though it's not flat by any means). Was a little disappointed that it seemed 'thin' to both of us. 10.8% is well-concealed, not 'hot' in the mouth at all.

O: Quite good, although I can recall the draught version sampled last fall being better (as is often the case). Very glad to have acquired 2 bottles (thanks, Kevin ~ $10/500ml was probably the most expensive beer you've ever bought!) and look forward to revisiting the remaining one in the cellar and REALLY hope that this reappears next year!