FreezeOut Whiskey Barrel Aged Stout
KettleHouse Brewing Co. (Southside Taproom)

I am sampling a 16 oz can poured at cellar temp into my snifter. Date stamped 10/31/2024.
The beer pours aa rich cola brown color and rests in my glass slightly darker black. A creamy dense beige head of about 1.5 cm foams up from the pour. This foam fades to a sturdy surface covering and leaves tight lattice all around my glass.
Aroma is dark cocoa powder and a little brown sugar, with some rich whiskey notes. Not really boozy or fusol, just brown liquor scents. Pretty impressive at 12%. No hop character present on the nose.
First sip reveals a medium body and smooth texture with fine gentle carbonation. Pretty soft physical traits.
Flavor is similar to the nose, dark chocolate and brownie, but not really sweet chocolate. Some mild vanilla and bourbon come through on the finish and linger. Not boozy or hot here either. Again, hops are absent. This is a pretty easy drinking bigger brew that is straightforward barrel aged malt forward with no additives.
Im enjoying this one and am glad to have tried the beer.

From a 4-pack picked up at Big Head's in Missoula, MT; have enjoyed this one numerous times over the past couple years- it's about time I get an official review on the board!
16oz can poured into a Delirium Noel tulip

P black w/ a small tan head
N med to med-bold nose of sweet bourbon and nuttiness; chocolate and dark fruit as warms
T a combination of decadent fudge, bourbon, and nuttiness; finishes with a solid dose of sweet bourbon; warming alcohol lingers; dark fruit and barrel notes pop out as it warms; a tasty and well-structured profile
Mf med-full bodied; well-carbonated; suites the profile nicely
O wow, just excellent; even better than I remember it being in the past; being a fairly fresh can, it might need a little time for the booze to mellow and round things out, but I do dig it as-is

Review date: 12.16.23
Can date: 10.26.23

Many thanks to muchloveforhops3 for this bottle!

A - Dark brown pour and heavy caramel frothy lacing.

S - Toasted chocolate malt with light spiciness.

T - Toasted chocolate, Bourbon, spiciness, and ends with lingering Bourbon.

M - Big medium body with gentle carbonation.

O - This one is a hidden gem.

 

 

 

From Growler freshly purchased at Kettlehouse less than an hour ago:

Look: Pure black like a stout should be. Minimal brown head that recedes quickly to a thin layer.

Smell: Can smell the alcohol but not in an unpleasant way. The strong aroma of wood, chocolate, and maybe black licorice hinted as well.

Taste: the wood and chocolate come through very well when the stout is room temperature or close, and it becomes sweeter as it warms. Aftertaste is very pleasant, continues on the same whiskey barrel/chocolate notes without being dry. It's not the most complex stout I've had, but at 12% it is tasteful.

Feel: Far smoother than expected. The carbonation level is really done correctly here - it's a tad more than I expected based on ABV but blends well for a quick and easy drink.

Overall: This is a really solid production here of a limited print I hope they continue with. Fans of Kettlehouse and Cold Smoke wont feel out of their comfort zone with this one. It's dangerously good for 12% ABV. I'll be saving the bottle I purchased for now just in case they don't continue production next year.