Barrell Beer
Beach Haus Brewery

Exactly one year old. Canned on 11/22/2019. I let it warm for about 2 hours before opening. Poured from 12 oz. can into a stout glass. Highly-effervescent - it was a gusher. It pours a very dark walnut, approaching black. The dark mocha-colored head dissipated within seconds. The aromatic smell features strong bourbon notes along with dark malt, char, burnt nuts, brown sugar and caramel. The bourbon barrel dominates the taste but there are also notes of dark chocolate, vanilla, and oak. There is a nice hoppy bitterness at the finish that balances the sweetness of the bourbon. The can says it's 13 IBU but it seems higher than that. This can being a year old, I suspect the chocolate is stronger when fresh and I'd like to try this year's batch. It has a moderately thick mouth feel - I wish it were more viscous) and the initial carbonation from opening the can didn't last. With an ABV of 12.1% it's definitely a sipper. Overall, Barrell Beer intrigues me due to the age of the can. I'd like to try this fresher. With more pronounced chocolate it could be really good.