B-Bomb (Bourbon Abominable Winter Ale)
Fremont Brewing Company

Limited 2024 Release

Revisit: 1 Jan 24
22 oz. Bomber
Mahogany Wax/Capped
Limited 2023 Release
ABV: 14.7%

Poured into a chalice a very nice black color, very nice carbonation, very nice thick/creamy one-finger tan head, which also leaves a very nice medium size oil slick, and some pretty nice sticky lacing behind. The nose is very nice, malty, hoppy, with a very nice dark fruit complex (grapes, figs, dates, raisins, cherries, plums), chocolate/toffee, bourbon/oak note, vanilla, licorice, slight cinnamon, roasty. The taste is very nice, malty, hoppy, with a very nice dark fruit complex (grapes, figs, dates, raisins, cherries, plums), chocolate/toffee, bourbon/oak, vanilla, licorice, cinnamon, roasty. Full Body, ABV is hidden very nicely, a very tasty complex/sipper.

Revisit: 24 Sep 23
22 oz. Bomber
Mahogany Wax/Capped
Limited 2022 Release
ABV: 14%

Poured into a Westy glass a very nice black color, with some very nice carbonation, with a very nice thick/creamy one-finger plus tan head, which also leaves a very nice medium size oil slick, and some pretty nice sticky lacing behind. The nose is very nice, malty, hoppy, with a very nice dark fruit complex (grapes, figs, dates, raisins, cherries, plums), chocolate/toffee, bourbon/oak note, vanilla, licorice, slight cinnamon, roasty. The taste is very nice, malty, hoppy, with a very nice dark fruit complex (grapes, figs, dates, raisins, cherries, plums), chocolate/toffee, bourbon/oak, vanilla, licorice, cinnamon, pretty nice roastyness. Full Body, ABV is hidden very nicely, a very tasty complex/sipper.

Revisit: 17 Dec 21
22 oz. Bomber
Mahogany Wax/Capped
Limited 2021 Release
ABV: 13.5%

Poured into a Tree House glass a very nice black color, with some very nice carbonation, with a very nice thick/creamy one-finger plus tan head, which also leaves a very nice medium size oil slick, and some pretty nice sticky lacing behind. The nose is very nice, malty, hoppy, with a very nice dark fruit complex (grapes, figs, dates, raisins, cherries, plums), chocolate/toffee, slight coffee, bourbon/oak note, vanilla, with some licorice, slight cinnamon, roasty. The taste is very nice, malty, hoppy, with a very nice dark fruit complex (grapes, figs, dates, raisins, cherries, plums), chocolate/toffee, bourbon/oak, vanilla, licorice, cinnamon, roasty. Full Body, ABV is hidden very nicely, a very tasty complex/sipper.

Revisit: 31 Jan 21
22 oz. Bomber
Mahogany Wax/Capped
Limited 2020 Release
ABV: 12.8%

Poured into a chalice a very nice black color, with some very nice carbonation, with a very nice thick/creamy one-finger plus tan head, which also leaves a very nice medium size oil slick, and some pretty nice sticky lacing behind. The nose is very nice, malty, hoppy, with a very nice dark fruit complex (grapes, figs, dates, raisins, cherries, plums), chocolate/toffee, slight coffee, bourbon/oak, vanilla, with some licorice, slight cinnamon, roasty. The taste is very nice, malty, hoppy, with a very nice dark fruit complex (grapes, figs, dates, raisins, cherries, plums), chocolate/toffee, slight coffee, bourbon/oak, vanilla, licorice, cinnamon, pretty nice roastyness. Full Body, ABV is hidden very nicely, a very tasty complex/sipper. Overall, this is one pretty awesome brew.

Revisit: 25 Dec 19
22 oz. Bomber
Mahogany Wax/Capped
Limited 2019 Release
ABV: 13.2%

Poured into a Trillium glass a very nice black color, with some pretty nice carbonation, with a pretty nice thick/creamy one-finger plus tan head, which also leaves a pretty nice medium size island, and some pretty nice sticky lacing behind. The nose is very nice, malty, hoppy, with a pretty nice dark fruit complex (grapes, figs, dates, raisins, cherries, plums), chocolate/toffee, bourbon/oak, vanilla, licorice, cinnamon, roasty. The taste is very nice, awesome, malty, hoppy, with a very nice dark fruit complex (grapes, figs, dates, raisins, cherries, plums), chocolate/toffee, bourbon/oak, vanilla, licorice, cinnamon, roasty. Full Body, ABV is hidden very nicely, a very tasty complex brew, a very nice sipper. Merry Christmas!

22 oz. Bomber
Mahogany Wax/Capped
Limited 2018 Release

Poured into a Tree House glass a very nice black color, with some pretty nice carbonation, with a pretty nice thick/creamy one-finger plus tan head, which also leaves a pretty nice medium size island, and some pretty nice sticky lacing behind. The nose is very nice, malty, hoppy, with a very nice touch of chocolate/toffee, pretty nice bourbon/oak note, vanilla, with some licorice, roasty. The taste is very nice, awesome, malty, hoppy, with a very nice touch of chocolate/toffee, very nice bourbon/oak, very nice vanilla sweetness, licorice, nice roastyness. Full Body, ABV is hidden very nicely, a very tasty complex brew, a very nice sipper. Overall, this is one pretty awesome brew. Definitely nice to see this one around here. Highly Recommended!

Black pour with good carbonation and a small head. The smell is oak and a mixture of spices. The taste is rich, with vanilla, caramel, chocolate and barrel char. A very nice barrel aged beer.

 

Review: 2537
Name: B-Bomb
Brewery: Fremont Brewing
Location: Seattle, WA
Style: Barrel-Aged Winter/American Strong Ale
ABV: 13%
Canned: 2017
Date: 17 January 2026
I went back to Fremont for my last beer of the night. I am serving it at 54 degrees in a Bruery tulip glass; the pour formed a creamy, half-fingered tan head with below-average retention. The beer's color is inky black, with dark mahogany red hues, opaque, and charts at SRM 36. The quick dissipation left no lacing on the glass, only a ring around the liquid. The beer's overall appearance is average for this style, especially considering the age.
Smelling the glass, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, leather, earthy dirt, bourbon, oak, bread, and molasses. Nosing the glass again, I detect light char, caramel, toffee, earthiness, floral esters, a light alcohol note, and pine resin.
The first sip showcased complex flavors of vanilla, oak, molasses, toasted bread crust, cinnamon, bourbon, and leather. A few sips later, I taste a subtle caramel sweetness, floral esters, pine resin, light char, earthiness, chocolate, coffee, toffee, and a light yeasty note.
The mouthfeel is dense and chewy, with a heavy, warm finish. The medium-low carbonation complements the barrel aging, enticing you to keep sipping.
Final Impression: I was concerned that I might have over-aged this beer, but as it has opened up more in the glass, it has deepened in complexity. This beer is phenomenal and has held up well over the years.

Dark brown pour with a thin beige head. The aroma brings dried fruits, chocolate, toasted malt, and a touch of gentle spice. The flavor is rich and malty, moderately sweet, and rounded by a pleasant warming finish. Smooth and balanced.

Amazing bourbon barrel age on draught at Malibu Wine & Beer. “ Rich aromas of dried fig, prune, caramel, molasses, and brown sugar, lead into layers of chocolate-dipped raisin, toffee, and warm whiskey. The oak barrel aging brings subtle leather and vanilla depth, rounding into a smooth, full mouthfeel with a gentle, lingering warmth. Bold, balanced, and decadent.”

 

 

 

 

 

Deep dark brown almost black color. Nice small head, that stayed around.

Sweet smelling, not too strong, hint of the taste to come.

Smooth & creamy. Great texture, especially for the style. No roughness.

Outstanding (but expensive!)

Brief Review:

O: Finally getting around to my first Fremont beer! Courtesy of an awesome bottle shop in Cape Coral, FL. Looks like a 2022 version. Pours a beautiful dark brown or mahogany. Nice head retention. Nose is all fig, molasses, dried fruits and some vanilla. Flavors follow suit, adding a nice blanket of bourbon and oak. Still pretty hot even for a couple years age, and I'd like it to be a touch sweeter. But other than that, I love it. Maybe not as good as BCBBW, a comparable beer IMO (I know this is a "winter ale").

Recommendation: Maybe not elite of the elite, but this is a pretty darn good BA BW-style ale. Definitely worth trying if you can find it.

 

Copenhagen 23/12 2021. 65 cl bottle from Mikkeller & Friends Bottle Shop. The 2020 release holding an ABV of 12,8. Off-white label with a triumphant Albino Ape celebrating a victory.

Pour opaque, dark brown with a small beige head. Settles as a thin patch of foam floating in the middle of the glass. No lacing.

Aroma is intense with a sweet, odor of dark fruitsmingling with dark alcohol and a woody barrel vibe. Plums, raisins and bourbon. Vanilla and toffee.

Light carbonation. Slightly thick, oily, greasy, soft, lightly tingling texture.

Flavor is intense with a strong sweetness followed by a medium strong bitterness. Aftertaste is sweet with a boozy undertone. Lingering. Finish is pure caramel and booze.

Fine specimen where the barrel-aging bleeds through in beautiful way.

 

 

This is one strong and mellow beer. It pours a dark rich brown/black and has notes of chocolate, cherries and mild coffee along with the bourbon flavor and blending, this has to be one of my favorite strong beers. It's sweet, but not too sweet, the alcohol is noticeable but does not taste like 13.5. In my opinion this beer is EXCELLENT! Earlier Rating: 3/4/2021 Total Score: 4.4 This is one heck of a beer, nice smooth taste, though quite boozy tasting it is still excellent in flavor. This is one of my wife's favorite beers of all time, she like them strong and flavorful and this hits the mark. Chocolate malt and caramel flavors along with the bourbon and sweetness it is excellent. Rated 9-24-2022 65 IBUs

2018 edition Barrel Aged B-Bomb winter ale from Fremont. 22oz wax-topped bottle served just slightly chilled in a goblet. Dark boozy aroma suggests dark rum and cognac. On my palate it's remarkably smooth (scary! 14.0% is not to be trifled with), flowing with spice and very fine carbonation. I get treacle, vanilla and a distinct warm taste of cinnamon -- not hot, just a little sweet. I had to double check this was not the spiced edition. But no, I think the malts are just working magic here.

Despite the barrel aging and high ABV this is just absurdly drinkable. I'm sure it would have been fantastic fresh but of course I've aged it another 6+ years myself. It's just so flavorful and mellow. And also heady. Outstanding flavor, and equally outstanding mouthfeel. Carbonation is no more than necessary and the texture is just heavy enough to compliment the residual sweetness. But for me the star of the show is that spicy cinnamon flavor.

World-Class would overpay again.

edit: When I initially poured this the beer was just slick black in the glass with very little head formation. My second pour was much frothier and formed an amazing creamy mocha brown head. Beautiful.

2024 version on tap at Fremont Urban garden during work trip to Seattle (new brewery #472). Nice chocolate element to the flavor. Nice viscosity.