Fourth Dementia - Bourbon Barrel-Aged
Kuhnhenn Brewing Company

AllOfTheCats from Wisconsin

4.3/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pretty unique. Almost like an imperial stout plus barleywine blend with a dry finish. Caramel up front, then some char. Hoping to try some more of their beers.

Sep 27, 2020

hoptheology from South Dakota

4.43/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

12 oz bottle, 2018 vintage, cellar treat, sent from Junior, into a Prairie Rastal glass.

This marvelous beer pours a wonderful raisin color with a harvest gold head of 1/4 finger. Recedes to a polite fingernail and stays. Swirling leaves a few micro legs.

Aroma is that of a really settled-in beer. Like this one has had some time to really develop and mature into what it is. Tons of wonderful aged dates and raisins, with shoe leather, toffee, caramel, brown sugar, and fig. Hints of chocolate, and a nice hot alcohol aroma envelopes the whole thing.

Toffee and raisins start this one off, followed by a burnt char note and some piney hop, and then the sweetness returns with caramel and sticky fig, some paper/cardboard, and then fades out on tobacco and molasses. Very complex. A bit sharp and bitter, I'd prefer a little more smoothness, but this flavor profile is bonkers.

Feel is sticky all the way to the bank with heat throughout but a cooling center. Moderate buzzing carbonation paired with warming alcohol that coats the gums and tongue. Leaves a bit of resin on the finish.

Overall, this is a really wonderful barrel aged old ale and one I'd try to find again. I do believe I liked their BA stout better, but this is absolutely no slouch.

Price paid : Trade
Would find/buy again : Yes

Sep 04, 2020

bret27 from California

4.67/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

2018 bottle courtesy of HOPTOMIC_BOMB
#400 beer review.
L: very very drk brn with a hint of burgundy. Minimal dense creamy head.
S: dates, brown sugar, vanilla.
T: Sweet brown vs candied sugar, molasses, Malt, raisins, vanilla, oak,
F: medium. Very minimal alcohol presence. No burn at all.
O: very nice. Super smooth. Not sure if the ~3 yrs on it helped tone it down but regardless it’s great.

May 19, 2020

Victory_Sabre1973 from Minnesota

4.85/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Pours a thick pitch black. There was actually a 1 finger tan head on this beer. It didn't last too long, and there's no lacing on the glass.
The nose, well, it's a very strong nose. Very boozy smelling. Lots of caramel, and toffee. Raisin, and dates as well. I'm also getting just a fain hint of coffee.
Taste - Up front I get more of the dates and raisin. Tons of toffee, and that comes in on the backside, along with the caramel. Not really getting the coffee I was smelling.
This beer isn't as boozy feeling as I was expecting. That being said, this beer is so thick, and full bodied. It actually goes down so smooth.
World class stout, and so damn happy to try it.

Apr 29, 2020

Treyliff from West Virginia

4.38/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

12oz bottle poured into a snifter
2015 vintage

A- pours deep brown in color with a one-finger off-white head that disappears quickly, leaving nothing behind

S- aroma opens with a peppery earthy tobacco note, similar to a fresh cigar. Caramel and toffee, along with molasses, leather, brown sugar, roasted marshmallow, fig & raisin, as well as some bourbon barrel that brings out coconut and vanilla

T- sweet and malty up front with bold notes of caramel and toffee, followed by a sweet note of marshmallow and vanilla. Mid-palate brings out dark fruit notes of fig and raisin, as well as earthy tobacco, the finish adds light bourbon barrel that adds a vanilla notes that enhances the marshmallow note from before. Lingers of marshmallow and caramel

M- medium body with low carbonation leads to a creamy mouthfeel that continues into a velvety, warming finish

O- bold malty sweetness gives way to a marshmallow note that is unique to any other old ales I've had, well done

Mar 22, 2020

matts2896 from Connecticut

4.86/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

2018 2-year BB4D
Peanut brittle, marshmallow fluff, oaky vanilla, and light chocolate on the finish. Perfectly cohesive, perfectly cumbersome body, perfectly oxidized, and perfectly boozy. The Kuhnhenn bros nail the barrel character, but they nail oxidation even better. Wicked unique and wicked good. This might be the best BA beer I've ever had

Feb 26, 2020

StoutSnob40 from California

4.58/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A killer bottle that is the furthest thing from the pervasive hazy IPAs and pastry stouts. An English Old Ale aged in bourbon barrels that just tastes like you’re sipping it in a 17th century pub. Sticky sweet toffee, vanilla, tons of oak, caramel, figs, and dried sweet cherries.

Jul 20, 2019

DoctorZombies from Florida

4.84/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Dark brown pour (@59 degrees) with ruby edges; tight tan head; fairly quick cap leaves a thin ring and a small island of mini bubbles; fizzy sudsy dots of lace and thin legs on swirl. Molasses, caramel malt, musty antique store furniture, vanilla and a whisper of bourbon (?). Semi sweet caramel malt on entry, followed by molasses and a firm hop bitterness; raisins and plums, toffee middle; roasted nuts, a touch of old shoe leather and vanilla/oak notes on the backend. Medium full body, semi sticky feel; lite carbonation; slightly warming; smooth, silky tongue coating; dry oaky barrel finish. Overall, love the bitter hops coexisting with sweet caramel; complex layers of dried fruit, molasses and earthy/musty notes as beer continued to open up; not boozy; simply world class!

May 10, 2019

GuyFawkes from Illinois

4/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2018 vintage; drank 3/24/19 @ the Yarchives.

Opaque dark brown appearance.

A violent pour yielded a small tan head; minimal lace.

Caramel, oak & faint tobacco notes in the nose.

Thick, sticky mouthfeel.

Burnt caramel & acorn flavors up front; fresh tobacco, mild oak & faint bourbon notes on the finish.

An earthy old ale; nice flavors here, and easy to enjoy. I'd have another!

Mar 25, 2019

kemoarps from Washington

4.09/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

2017 bottle sent my way by way of the generosity of @FlintB during NBS BIF #007.
Aggressive pour yields a small flare of off tan head that recedes pretty immediately. Body is murky raisin brown.

Nose brings forth the classic notes of leather and raisin and wood and a faint hint of spice. Surprisingly mellow.

Rich body with notes of milk chocolate and tobacco and spice and sweet vanilla and marshmallow char. As it warms more of the middle range 'old ale' characteristics come forth with leather and toffee and more of an emphasis back on the tobacco.

This is every bit of 13.5%, but it's not overwhelming or harsh. Rich and spicy and boozy it's definitely a sipper. Starts off a bit sweet, but as it warms that becomes less pronounced and the other stuff moves more into the forefront.

Definitely dig it. Thanks Brian!

Feb 03, 2019

darktronica from Indiana

4.46/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

2018 release, tried first on draft but now from a bottle. Just let it warm up, and it will reach its full potential. A bit green and bitter when cold, it releases a whole raft of brown sugar, leather, and vanilla notes as it approaches room temp. Very pleasantly oxidized even when freshly released, with solid grape, tobacco, and lightly acidic notes. A classic old ale, for sure.

Jan 29, 2019

drunkenmess from Michigan

4.35/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Color is prune juice or really murky apple cider.
Nose is sweet candied fruit.
Taste is fantastic! Lots of molasses, honey, caramel, raisins. No real barrel presence.
Moderate alcohol burn.
Finishes sticky and sweet.

Jan 05, 2019

Wolvmar from Michigan

4.09/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

2018 vintage. 12oz bottle poured into a tulip glass. Served at 49 degrees.

Pour: deep, deep black. 1-2 finger tan head. Recess into a thick, bubbly ring with plenty of clouds and decent lacing.

Nose: not real strong for me but I’m fighting a cold... Sweet roasted malt, marshmallow (power of suggestion, but accurate), bourbon. Some dark fruit.

Taste: really unique. Sweet, but malt or molasses sweet not sugary. Caramel/toffee definitely present. Some coffee/deep roasted malt bitterness balancing the sweetness. Rich milk/dark chocolate mix backing up everything. Bourbon is surprisngly mild. Slight lactose taste/feel.

Mouthfeel: moderate carbonation at first but quickly turns to a milkshake, oily, pillowy feel that is wonderful. Pretty clean finish considering the viscous nature.

Overall: this is my first and I love the look and feel. Nose is ok, taste is really good but I’m not sure if it’s great for me. Lactose taste isn’t my favorite and I get that, at least for the first bottle. Will revisit review on second bottle and after aging.

Dec 28, 2018

CanConPhilly from Pennsylvania

4.31/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

L - 1.5 finger cig-stain yellow head atop a translucent dark purple body.

S - oh boy. Dark fruits, raisin, booze, brown sugar.

T - tons of dark fruit, molasses, brown sugar, raisins, caramel, and bourbon booze. Low bitterness. Moderate-low sweetness. Moderate booziness.

F - medium body and carb.

O - an ass-kicker, this is.

Nov 12, 2018

Beersnake1 from California

4.96/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

Poured this from fridge temp. Pours a nice dark brown with virtually no head. Looks super clean in the glass - very inviting. The nose....oh my the nose. Might be the best nose of any beer on the planet. Huge toffee and bourbon. Plums and figs. All of the notes are so pronounced. Nothing is being held back on this beer, which isn't surprising given the 13.5% ABV. Also picking up some yeast, vanilla, black currant, and sweet candy. I just can't stop smelling this beer! Taste is out of this world. Huge caramel smacks you in the face immediately upon sipping. Alcohol burns slightly on the back end. In the middle, there is a complex interaction between dark fruit (blackberries, currant, figs, cherries), bourbon, and nutty/bread flavors. I am just amazed by this beer. Mouthfeel is nice and thick, viscous, and chewy. Coats the mouth and lingers for a long time. Overall, one of the best beers I have tasted. I hope to find another one at some point in the future.

May 20, 2018

Vidblain from Minnesota

4.66/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Kuhnhenn - man, I really had no idea. What is going on up there in Michigan? So many fantastic breweries!

Fourth Dementia pours a deep, oily brown-black - it looks incredibly viscous and syrupy, while the smell is all warm, malty sweetness.

I gave this some time to reach room temperature. On a first taste, the sweetness really took me by surprise. It's incredibly rich and cloying, almost syrupy - excellent texture, with a delicious toffee caramel marshmallow taste to it. Again, very, very sweet - but it's so smooth, and disguises the ABV so well, that the sweetness doesn't bother. Also slightly surprising - I'm accustomed to some sort of unpleasant aftertaste with a beer that is so incredibly sweet... but 4th D is exceptionally clean.

This is a fantastic beer. I'm generally one to avoid old ales - but this particular bottle was part of an LIF from FlintB, so I couldn't say no! Tremendously delicious bottle - thanks again, FlintB!

Jan 18, 2018

gcamparone from Rhode Island

4.19/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a snifter. Shared with Ryan.

Pours a brown muddy translucent but lightly cloudy body with a white head.

Aromas of toffee, buttscotch, caramel, old malt, bourbon.

Taste matches the nose with tons of caramel and toffee, dark fruits and figs, lightly toasty on the finish. Can't tell it's 13%.

Aug 28, 2017

fireazzi from Massachusetts

4.86/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

2011 Bottle. Really nice and sweet, thick body, smelled very nice and sweet. Mouth feel was the best part. Really nice and thick, sweetness stayed well after the sip.

Jun 18, 2017

Kevinpitts from Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Rating 2011 bottle aged 6 years. Very nice old ale. Moderately sweet, nice silky mouthfeel, just a touch if heat. Had a slightly Black licorice taste to it which was slightly off putting to me which kept me from rating it higher. Nice beer overall though; glad to finally try this.

May 29, 2017

yesterdayfaraway from Missouri

4.31/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

**2013 vintage**
L: pours a dark tan caramel color with no head.
S: smooth whiskey and dark malt sweetness.
T: Caramel and smooth booze. It does have a bit of a alcohol heat on the backend.
F: smooth barrel, but warming on the backend. Medium to thick feel, no carbonation.

Jan 13, 2017

Sabtos from Ohio

4.26/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

Oil slick of burgundy, copper and shiny yet muddy brown with a soft fizzy film that can be coaxed into reappearing and coating the glass with the legs of the booze before quickly receding again.

I smell a crap ton of pretty potent, mossy wood, almost peaty. This woodiness is, unfortunately, largely succeeding in tamping down other elements that shyly present themselves as toasted nuts, raisin, prune, fig, apple butter, and bourbon.

Oh my god. Divine. Taste is nothing like the nose. Silky smooth, really rich fig comes first--this feels like a gift from the gods. Elements from the nose, such as the overwhelming woodiness, are subdued nicely, with a little charred tobacco and leather coming in, followed by decadent caramel, luxurious dark cherries and brown sugar.

Despite the very high ABV, BB4D is soft, round, and goes down easily, finishing faintly dry. The booze is only barely there and very well integrated. Are my ears red yet?

Dec 15, 2016

brianmandell from California

4.62/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

2013 vintage; pours a murky brown. Smells of sherry, raisins, caramel, brown sugar. Flavors of dark caramel, sherry, chocolate, brown sugar, a touch of bourbon and oak barrel. Sweet but very well balanced and finishes with drying oak tannins. Low but prickly carbonation combined with a syrupy mouthfeel. Just amazing. Drinks like a So bummed I only have one bottle.

Dec 15, 2016

rabbott2 from Illinois

4.59/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2013 vintage on 10/13/2016

deep dark brown, minimal carbonation....really nice barrel on the scent and taste....a little vanilla, some oaked cherry sugaryness, plenty of caramel and boozy bourbon malts....really nice

Oct 14, 2016

MilwaukeeBeerMaker from Wisconsin

4.67/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

I need more of this in my life. A well balanced beer that has the flavors and barrel character brilliantly blended together. Unbelievably smooth for the monster ABV. Bottle was 2011 and time has been extremely kind to this beauty!

Sep 04, 2016

aleigator from Germany

4.67/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Kuhnhenn 4th D - unfortunately I have no idea which vintage this is, due to a missing vintage label: stored it in the fridge for about a year.

Pours a dark brown color with a quickly disappearing khaki brown head.

Smells of unsweetened coconut shell, earth and scented wood, enriched by dried grapes and old oak. Offers a nice Bourbon spiciness which gets entangled into toasted nuts and grilled corn. Surprisingly earthy, focussing on the barrel without turning just a tad too sweet, creating a spicy, warm complexity on the nose which is awesome.

Drinks truly soft, establishing a great silkness, which unfolds the Bourbon in all its powerfull facets. Its hot bite gets balanced by the rich toasty malt base, creating a powerful, complex beer.

Tastes of sugar glazed malts, a hint of licorice, dusty woodbark and toasty, bready malts. Spicy, sweet cinnamon and bakers chocolate add to the malt backbone, while a warming Boubon sharpness slowly becomes more and more recognizable. Ends sweet with a well integrated booziness, showcasing even more tongue tickling spices and toasty toffee malts. Finished very clean and soft, with a heavy Bourbon appearance defining the taste.

Masterfully balanced, intense beer, reminding of a Barley Wine at first glance, which from there on transforms into something different. All flavors work very harmoniously together, exhibiting a slowly uprising Bourbon sweetness which reveals a respectable amount of earth and bread. At its peak sweet toffee and scented wood add to the taste, never forgetting its rustic, bready roots. Finishes utmost clean after revealing its breathtaking complexity, calm after unleashing an intense flavor storm on the palate. Despite its taste intensity the beer drinks incredibly soft and almost easy if it wasn't for the perfectly integrated Bourbon, which works so good with the beers profound malt foundation.

Jul 17, 2016