Bourbon Barrel Aged Raj IPA
Four Peaks Brewing Company - 8th Street Pub

Easily top 5 IPA that has ever crossed my taste buds. This whole "retired" thing better be a sick joke.

 

Poured a cloudy amber-orange body with a thin ring of white and no real head to speak off. It looked a lot like the base beer, with the head loss expected from barrel-aging. Not bad. Scents of vanilla, oak, a note of bourbon, and alcohol with some sweet malty aromas that are caramel and sugar cookie-like along with a light hop character that is floral with a touch of bright, indeterminate citrus. Overall impression is of a very boozy aroma, dominated by bourbon, vanilla, oak and alcohol, with the base aromas of the Raj less discernible. A very nice aroma, yet a bit overwhelming. Flavor follows the aroma, with a big hit of bourbon, vanilla and oak at the start. A light citrusy flavor is also present. In the middle the bourbon barrel flavors continue and pick up in intensity. Finish continues these flavors with a bit of hop bitterness in the background and some slight citrus. Aftertaste is vanilla, oak, alcohol and bourbon. Overall impression of flavor is a big bourbon barrel flavor that is quite nice, but that ultimately overwhelms the base beer and makes it hard to detect. Not a bad flavor, but perhaps the wrong type of barrel to age. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with a slight alcohol burn, medium-light carbonation and a resinous, drying feel. A good mouthfeel that complements the flavor. Overall this is an interesting beer. It has a nice aroma and flavor, but in both areas the base beer is overwhelmed by the barrel aging. It isn't bad, but it could use more balance. The mouthfeel is nice though and complements the other aspects. It is interesting and worth trying, but it is a bit of a failed experiment.

 

 

 

Enjoyed in a tulip during Four Peaks’ tap takeover at Flanny's.

Almost perfectly clear copper-orange. A creamy, fluffy, one-inch head of off-white sets up camp atop. Webs of lace decorate the glass.

Noticeable whiskey aroma contributes notes of brown sugar and maple, which blend surprisingly well with the earthy hops of this English IPA. Soil, flowers, caramel, oak.

Again, I love what the barrel adds here. Oakiness melds with English hops, but the whiskey doesn't take over. Finishes sweet with flavors of caramel-covered popcorn.

Smooth, medium-light body, mild massaging carbonation, silky fizz. Just a hint of alcohol on the nose.

You don’t see many barrel-aged IPAs, probably because the flavors often clash. Not so here. A nice job from Four Peaks.