5th Anniversary Barrel Aged Smoked Wee Heavy
Joseph James Brewing Inc.

 

Sparkled silver wax capped 22oz bottle from Khoury's Fine Wine and Spirits (Las Vegas, NV). 14.99. No apparent bottling date but I picked this up when I was there in October 2013. Served in a Barrel and Barley teku.

Pours an opaque burgundy with slightly less than a finger of pale tan head. The froth recedes to a thin rail around the edges without leaving any lace

Smells of peat smoke, bourbon, caramel, oak and a faint, almost grape jelly-like dark fruity sweetness. Really nice.

Flavors of bourbon, smoked malt, burnt caramel, brown sugar, wet oak, candied dark fruits, cereal, vanilla and a hearty lick of alcohol. I'm assuming the age has rounded out the edges, naking themis smooth and easy to drink despite the 14% abv.

Pillowy full feel with pleasantly supple carbonation. Peat smoke, vanilla tinged bourbon, caramel and cereal mingle on the palate in the finish.

I may be two and a half years late to the celebration but I'm enjoying ringing in Joseph James' fifth year. This is arguably my favorite smoked beer that I've tried. Very glad the kindly associate at Khoury's convinced me to grab a bottle.

 

 

 

22oz bottle in a snifter.

A- Pitch black with a minimal brown head that does not last at all but leaves generous lacing.

S- Chip up a bourbon barrel, soak the chips for a while, and add them to lit charcoal... that was the aroma.

T- Hearty ale, malted, over very woody smoked bourbon .

M- Full and rich. Not too boozy for a big brew. Smooth smokiness.

O- Natural wood and smokiness were nice. Nothing artificial.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

great stuff I hope they brew it again...hint hint