Abuelita's Special
The Bruery

1940
Name: Abuelita's Special
Brewery: The Bruery
Location: Placentia, CA
Style: Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout.
ABV: 10.5%
Date: 05/27/2021
Abuelita's Special is next on the review table. I served it at 48 degrees. The next series of beers are from the donut box by the Bruery. This beer is one of my favorites out of the donut box; not too sweet or bitter. I used tulip glass; the pour created a frothy, airy medium tan two-fingered head with okay retention. The somewhat quick dissipation left no lacing on the glass. The color is charting around SRM 36, dark brown, nearly black. The appearance is slightly below average. I assume that is expected if I had never gotten a beer from this place. I have seen a longer-lasting beer head from higher abv beer.
Nosing the glass, I smell chocolate, coffee, vanilla, cinnamon, dark roasty malts, caramels, raisins, doughy bread, burnt sugar, slight smokiness, oaky bourbon, and a touch of char. The nose on this beer is fantastic. The cinnamon and vanilla are vibrant. I have smelt cinnamon beers that have this dusty old barn wood aroma.
The beer drips with oaky bourbon, donut, vanilla, chocolate, and cinnamon, hitting my palate aggressively yet tender. Sipping the nectar again, I taste smokiness, burnt sugar, caramel, dark roasty malts, raisins, date, dough bread, light espresso, and light earthiness.
The mouthfeel is warming and finishes dry. The body is medium plus and has medium carbonation.
This delightful donut in a can is sublime. A few minor complaints, I would have enjoyed a bit more chewiness, like you were biting in a donut and a longer-lasting head. Overall a wonderful treat to sip on.