Sierra Dark Sky Reserve
Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Company

 

Type: 500-ml. bottle
Glass: AleSmith .25l tulip
From: Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Company in Fresno, Calif.
Price: $18.00
Purchased: Nov. 16, 2018
Consumed: Nov. 22, 2018
Reviewed as: Quadruple
Misc.: 2017 release; Purple waxed bottle; Shared with Kent

Picked this up on a recent work trip to Fresno. A little steep at $18 for a .5L bottle, but I wanted to try it. Apparently it was different than the regular Sierra Dark Sky Barrel-Aged Quad I reviewed as a 4.23 back on Oct. 13, 2016. This one was a “reserve” beer, described on Untappd as a, “This is a blend of our quad aged in bourbon barrels for 27 months and quad aged in rye whiskey barrels for 9 months. Our quad is layered with notes of dark sugar, caramel, sweet vanilla, oak, and whiskey.” Was looking forward to it.

Poured a reddish brown murky color with 2-to-3 fingers of khaki white frothy head. Could see bubbles creeping along the sides of the glass. Outstanding spotty lacing. World-class retention. (Sight - 4.50)

Smelled oak, caramel, leather, toffee, whiskey, raisin, brown sugar, creamy vanilla, hints of maple syrup and wood. More brown sugar, maple syrup and oak from the bottle. (Smell - 4.25)

Tasted almost as good as the nose. Very sweet. Got sugar cane, leathery oak, caramel, toffee, vanilla, brown sugar, plum, raisin, purple grape and light milk chocolate. That’s a smooth 12.6 pct. ABV. (Taste - 4.25)

Full body. Creamy-to-sticky texture. Average carbonation. Long, warming finish. (Feel - 4.75)

This was delicious. That bourbon barrel addition almost makes it more American Strong Ale than Belgian Quad. (Overall - 4.25)

4.32 | 96 | A

This is a 5 star beer for me. Easily competes with the likes of heavy hitters Bruery Poterie and Stickee Monkee. It's freaking magnificent, and I wish I were drinking one right now.

Damn good beer