Navigator - Brandy Barrel-Aged
Ballast Point Brewing Company

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From:
Ballast Point Brewing Company
 
California, United States
Style:
Doppelbock
ABV:
8%
Score:
90
Avg:
4.07 | pDev: 9.83%
Ratings:
60 | reviews: 36
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Mar 10, 2022
Added:
Oct 29, 2008
Wants:
  9
Gots:
  2
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 3.75 by archero from Texas

Mar 10, 2022
 
Rated: 4.25 by DVMin98 from North Carolina

May 08, 2017
 
Rated: 4.35 by tbone1384 from Wyoming

Nov 21, 2016
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Rated by Downtownnh from New Hampshire

3.32/5  rDev -18.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5
May be the bottom of barrel for this glass
Mar 02, 2016
Photo of VeganUndead
Reviewed by VeganUndead from Virginia

3.67/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
On tap at Brew American Gastropub, Bellgrade Midlothian location. I prefer the regular to this barrel variant, just don't think the balance is quite there and the brandy is not prevalent
Dec 17, 2015
 
Rated: 3.52 by Anaxagoris from Washington

May 20, 2015
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Reviewed by BenHesk12 from California

3.27/5  rDev -19.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
I admit that I don't drink brandy and probably don't have the necessary acquired tastes to appreciate this type of beer, but I can say that this was one of the most intense barrel aged beers I've ever tried. This beer is incredibly tart and tastes like biting into a brandy soaked piece of bitter wood.I couldn't even tell that this was a dopplebock--it just tasted like concentrated smokey grape esters. I love a good bourbon barrel aged imperial stout, but this wasn't even the same territory. If you LOVE brandy and beer, you might like this brew otherwise think twice before ordering a full glass.
Feb 18, 2015
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Reviewed by GreesyFizeek from New York

4.34/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
On tap at the Tap and Mallet in Rochester, NY.

Pours a dark clear amber, with a little bit of lacing, and a half inch head.

Smells very strongly of sweet and nutty brandy, dark fruits, raisins, and a bit of caramel.

I've never had the regular Navigator, but without having that, I can safely guess that the brandy barrel aging really elevated this one. There's a really significant brandy presence that's really well integrated into the base doppelbock. The base beer provides some nice dark fruits, sweet caramel, and toffee, along with barrel-derived vanilla and a small amount of oak.

This is medium bodied, thick, but not overly so. It's slightly syrupy, with a lower level of carbonation.

This is a really well done barrel aged beer. The brandy notes really do go well with the dark fruit character of the base beer.
Jan 22, 2015
 
Rated: 4.25 by SuperHop18 from Massachusetts

Dec 30, 2014
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Rated by docoman from Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%
I think the BBA brings out some some flavor and of course smell for this dopplebock. Definitely work a sample.
Nov 25, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Rado from California

Oct 02, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by brycevolk from Ohio

Jul 21, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by mhaugo from California

May 18, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by cbnz from Canada (BC)

Mar 15, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by humulusphile from California

Dec 12, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by Tom-Peters from California

Apr 29, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by rolltide8425 from Pennsylvania

Feb 21, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by sludgegnome from Pennsylvania

Feb 09, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by danwho from California

Feb 03, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by wattershed from California

Dec 18, 2012