Caramel on Parade
The Bruery

1942
Name: Carmel on Parade
Brewery: The Bruery
Location: Placentia, CA
Style: Barrel-Aged Imperial Blonde Stout.
ABV: 10.3%
Date: 05/27/2021
Caramel On Parade is next on the review table. I served it at 48 degrees. I used tulip glass; the pour created a frothy, airy, light tan two-fingered head with above-average retention. The dissipation left no lacing on the glass. The color is charting around SRM 38, dark brown, nearly black. The appearance is average. This one holds for the best retention out of the four beers yet leaves no lacing on the glass.
Nosing the glass, I smell caramel, burnt sugar, oaky bourbon, and light chocolate. The other aromas are raisins, dates, dark roasted malts, toasted bread crust, nuttiness, and vanilla.
The sweetest beer of the four donut beers I have tried. The bourbon barrel aging seeps caramel with a slightly smoky undertone and oak. Other flavors include dates, dark roasted malts, raisins, vanilla, chocolate, lightly roasted coffee, and slightly nuttiness.
The mouthfeel is sticky and finishes heavy. The body is thick and has low carbonation.
I love how thick this beer is, but I hate how cloyingly sweet it is. The caramel flavors are intense and off-putting —a challenging beer to sip in a single setting without some help. Glad I got to try the donut box; I loved the glasses that came with it.