Dedication - Rye Whiskey Barrel-aged
Vintage Brewing Co.

 

 

 

 

 

The rye whiskey blends very nicely with the sweet malty, yeast taste of this beer. I am not a huge Belgian fan but The Vintage seems to do it better than most.

 

 

 

Transcribed from my tasting notebook.

Appears darker brown-amber with mahogany reddish tones around the edges. Unusually transparent for a barrel aged brew. Thick bodied and sticky in texture, which is appropriate for the big and bold flavors held within. At first sniff a blast of boozey rye whiskey hits you and nothing else. When left to warm up to room temp, the nose opens up considerably to reveal nuances of plum jam on raisin bread and morning sticky buns dipped in a sweet whiskey reduction sauce. All of these things present in the nose translate through into the taste. It definitely retains a bit too much booze hotness from that barrel aging which can be overwhelming to all the other flavors if you don't take your time with it. But than again, who -wouldn't- want to take their time, relax, and enjoy this beauty sip by sip?

3 oz tap pour into a tasting glass at Vintage Brewing Co. in Madison, WI during Madison beer week.

A - Dedication is a crystal clear blood red color with a persistent tan head that rests gently on top.

S - Spicy notes of rye overwhelm the otherwise nuanced Belgian nose. Faint yeasty esters of plum and cherry with a sweet caramel malt backbone.

T - Strong rye whiskey melds well with the Belgian malty, estery base brew. Nicely nuanced and not as unbalanced as the aroma.

M - Medium-bodied and smooth in texture with a sharp rye bite to the finish. A touch on the boozy side this one is.

O - The rye barrel-aging is nice and unique but seems to overwhelm the delicate qualities of the nuanced Belgian notes. Pretty good regardless.