Navigator - Brandy Barrel-Aged
Ballast Point Brewing Company
- From:
- Ballast Point Brewing Company
- California, United States
- Style:
- Doppelbock
- ABV:
- 8%
- Score:
- 90
- Avg:
- 4.07 | pDev: 9.83%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 36
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Mar 10, 2022
- Added:
- Oct 29, 2008
- Wants:
- 9
- Gots:
- 2
SCORE
90
Outstanding
90
Outstanding
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by SuperHop18:
Rated by SuperHop18 from Massachusetts
4.25/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Dec 30, 2014
4.25/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Dec 30, 2014
More User Ratings:
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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, 2015Pours 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.
Rated by docoman from Michigan
4.25/5 rDev +4.4%
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
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