1516 Imperial IPA
Black Tooth Brewing Company

 

maybe a little rugged or not technically perfect or whatever, but this is a pretty cool beer, and way better than other barrel aged hop forward stuff, its i think dry hopped post barrel, which (eve if it isnt), seems to give it a really rad freshness that is usually defeated by the wood in these. i do get a heap of wood from this one, not so much whiskey or anything, and definitely some booze, this is a strong ale for sure, but the hops come in late and all fresh too, so its sort of a whats old is new again thing, which is special in beer, and this represents some of the more interesting and ambitious beer i have had from black tooth so far, although i have heard rumors of absurdly strong winter beer that comes around near the holidays, ill keep waiting for that... this stays bitter in its malty bigness and woody largesse. hops are piney here, which almost gives this a christmas vibe too, and there is a warming capacity that is out of season now but really great overall, endearing and something i strive to identify with on a personal level, and after a small pour, i almost get there. the hops and the wood and it being malty all appeal to me, this is cool beer and better than what others are doing with it...

 

 

 

On draught at Gaslight Social.
Pours a mucky rust colour, initially a bit of foam but it lasts a very short time.
Smells of the barrel, woody, Bourbon, loads of caramel malt but still an ample amount of citrus hops.
The taste is balanced among the 3 main components, hops, malt and bourbon. I get a tad of oxidation/butterscotch.
Full bodied with ample carbonation.
Tasty Imperial IPA.