Indignant (22 Months - Belle Meade)
Haymarket Beer Co. Pub & Brewery

 

 

 

This stuff is one of the biggest steals currently in craft beer, in my opinion. Huge rich taste of chocolate with a hint of coffee and vanilla, this reminds me a lot of this year's BCBS Rare (but without quite the complexity or oily mouthfeel), probably due to similar time in barrels (22 months vs. 24 months). I'm not going to say this is as good as Rare, since it's definitely not quite there with the mouthfeel or denseness of flavor, but the fact that this stuff just sits on tap AND is available for 32 oz. growler (or howler, whatever you want to call it) fills at $15 a pop is outrageous. One of the best BA stouts I've had, and probably my favorite Haymarket beer to date (Claire's Thirsty Ale is #2).

 

 

 

Haymarket makes the best beer in Chicago IMO and their barrel program is world-class. Deep, rich, robust chocolate / cocoa and mild coffee, vanilla linger on the palate. Simply an outrageously good beer (but not as good as Claire's Thirsty Ale) :-)

 

 

Poured during 5th Anniversary Party as part of a flight of various iterations of Indignant brewed for the special occasion. This version was aged in Woodford Reserve barrels for 22 months. 11% ABV. Deep, dark, rich chocolate/coffee roast and bourbon heat. Yum!