Tequila Barrel Noir
Almanac Beer Co.
Beer Geek Stats
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- Style:
- Stout - American Imperial
Ranked #2,147 - ABV:
- 10%
- Score:
- 89
Ranked #13,599 - Avg:
- 3.94 | pDev: 12.44%
- Reviews:
- 34
- Ratings:
- From:
- Almanac Beer Co.
- California, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating/Seasonal
- Wants
- 14
- Gots
- 26
SCORE
89
Very Good
89
Very Good
Notes:
This robust American Stout is aged in used Tequila barrels. As it matures, the toasted oak breathes in the beer, infusing the stout with hints of smoke and spice from its former life holding distilled agave.
Reviews: 34
| Ratings: 156
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Reviews by FLBeerGuy:
More User Reviews:
krustster from Maine
2.76/5 rDev -29.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 2.5
I was surprised to see the positive reviews for this one as I thought it was clearly infected based on my tasting and the comments some people made. Upon inspection, several of the positive reviews listed the sourness as a favorable aspect, which is weird to me. Maybe they don't know what tequila tastes like?? I dunno.
Anyway this looked okay, a dark cola brown that appeared a bit thin for the style but no real complaints. Smell was a robust chocolatey/roasty stout with a strong tequila presence that got my hopes up because the barrel seemed to be working well with the beer and I love tequila. However there's a sour fruity note to it with a bit of that farty smell that you get with some beers that are infected rather than intentionally soured. The taste was bad; while some of the original beer was detectable in the smell, the taste is covered up by what seems like bacterial sourness. If this was regular stout it may have been drinkable in this state, but the tequila and sour flavors clash in a way that I found disgusting. Mouth feel was okay, kind of thin, I didn't pay too much attention because the taste was just bad. I was pretty sad about this because I've wanted to try a good tequila barrel beer for some time.
I also tried the Pumpkin Barleywine from Almanac and that too was infected, but still quite drinkable and delicious with the sourness added. Probably won't buy that one again though. Overall I would recommend steering clear of their barrel aged beers outside of the actual sours, which are solid. I drank this one the day after Christmas and the bottles out there have got to be even more sour by now
Jan 22, 2015
2.76/5 rDev -29.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 2.5
I was surprised to see the positive reviews for this one as I thought it was clearly infected based on my tasting and the comments some people made. Upon inspection, several of the positive reviews listed the sourness as a favorable aspect, which is weird to me. Maybe they don't know what tequila tastes like?? I dunno.
Anyway this looked okay, a dark cola brown that appeared a bit thin for the style but no real complaints. Smell was a robust chocolatey/roasty stout with a strong tequila presence that got my hopes up because the barrel seemed to be working well with the beer and I love tequila. However there's a sour fruity note to it with a bit of that farty smell that you get with some beers that are infected rather than intentionally soured. The taste was bad; while some of the original beer was detectable in the smell, the taste is covered up by what seems like bacterial sourness. If this was regular stout it may have been drinkable in this state, but the tequila and sour flavors clash in a way that I found disgusting. Mouth feel was okay, kind of thin, I didn't pay too much attention because the taste was just bad. I was pretty sad about this because I've wanted to try a good tequila barrel beer for some time.
I also tried the Pumpkin Barleywine from Almanac and that too was infected, but still quite drinkable and delicious with the sourness added. Probably won't buy that one again though. Overall I would recommend steering clear of their barrel aged beers outside of the actual sours, which are solid. I drank this one the day after Christmas and the bottles out there have got to be even more sour by now
Jan 22, 2015
ronricorossi from California
4.13/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Really interesting beer. The tequila flavor is an unusual addition that goes surprisingly well with the stout profile, and without becoming unbalanced. Definitely worth trying.
One thing: the bottle, in tribute to San Francisco's Mission district, suggests pairing with a NorCal style taqueria burrito. Love that they went with the theme, and assuming they did it for the "fun" value, because two things I'm NOT looking to drink when I have a huge, dense meal in my hands is (1) a heavy stout, and (2) tequila. Just saying. (Ha!)
Dec 17, 2014
4.13/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Really interesting beer. The tequila flavor is an unusual addition that goes surprisingly well with the stout profile, and without becoming unbalanced. Definitely worth trying.
One thing: the bottle, in tribute to San Francisco's Mission district, suggests pairing with a NorCal style taqueria burrito. Love that they went with the theme, and assuming they did it for the "fun" value, because two things I'm NOT looking to drink when I have a huge, dense meal in my hands is (1) a heavy stout, and (2) tequila. Just saying. (Ha!)
Dec 17, 2014
cd34 from Illinois
3.89/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Aug 11, 2019
3.89/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Aug 11, 2019
John_M from Oregon
4/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap at Piaci's in Ft. Bragg.
While I thought this an interesting, innovative effort, ultimately there was just too much going on, and the flavor profile comes across as very muddled. I'm really not sure the Tequila aroma and flavor (which thankfully, was not all that strong or intense) went all that well with the wine aroma and flavor, and in combination with the dark chocolate, coffee, vanilla and light licorice, the beer just comes across as a bit over the top. Alcohol is pretty well integrated into the flavor profile, though you can tell the abv. is up there a bit. Mouthfeel is fairly full and soft on the palate, and the beer finishes well (no heat or bite from the alcohol).
A decent enough beer, but the 10 ounce glass I had was more than enough.
Feb 12, 2015
4/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap at Piaci's in Ft. Bragg.
While I thought this an interesting, innovative effort, ultimately there was just too much going on, and the flavor profile comes across as very muddled. I'm really not sure the Tequila aroma and flavor (which thankfully, was not all that strong or intense) went all that well with the wine aroma and flavor, and in combination with the dark chocolate, coffee, vanilla and light licorice, the beer just comes across as a bit over the top. Alcohol is pretty well integrated into the flavor profile, though you can tell the abv. is up there a bit. Mouthfeel is fairly full and soft on the palate, and the beer finishes well (no heat or bite from the alcohol).
A decent enough beer, but the 10 ounce glass I had was more than enough.
Feb 12, 2015
travolta from California
4.11/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Appearance: Jet black, pepsi head with as much retention. Nice thick lacing.
Nose: Sour cherry, chocolate, thick malt.
Taste: Hot and smooth up front. The heat is from the agave and the tequila. The smoothness comes from the nice carbonation. The finish is sweet and sticks around for a bit. Something is adding a syrupy sweetness to this, is it agave? The syrupy sweetness holds the tequila taste/nose in it as well.
Notes: A nice pick, and a great one to sit and ponder with.
Jan 06, 2015
4.11/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Appearance: Jet black, pepsi head with as much retention. Nice thick lacing.
Nose: Sour cherry, chocolate, thick malt.
Taste: Hot and smooth up front. The heat is from the agave and the tequila. The smoothness comes from the nice carbonation. The finish is sweet and sticks around for a bit. Something is adding a syrupy sweetness to this, is it agave? The syrupy sweetness holds the tequila taste/nose in it as well.
Notes: A nice pick, and a great one to sit and ponder with.
Jan 06, 2015
brentk56 from North Carolina
3.86/5 rDev -2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Appearance: Bubbles up to produce a massive over the black liquid; webby lacing
Smell: Chocolate and dark fruit tones; berries, as well
Taste: As others have noted, this beer has an infection; the chocolate flavors quickly give way to sour fruit and berry tones that, fortunately, are interesting in their own right, but clearly not what was intended; the finish is tart, with the chocolate tones underlying
Mouthfeel: Full bodied with moderate to high carbonation and a puckering effect; some warmth in the gullet
Overall: On the backs of the Cognac Barrel Noir, this is a disappointment; I was curious to see how the Tequila flavor contrasted with the Cognac but that was not to be; fortunately, it wasn't a total loss
Feb 28, 2015
3.86/5 rDev -2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Appearance: Bubbles up to produce a massive over the black liquid; webby lacing
Smell: Chocolate and dark fruit tones; berries, as well
Taste: As others have noted, this beer has an infection; the chocolate flavors quickly give way to sour fruit and berry tones that, fortunately, are interesting in their own right, but clearly not what was intended; the finish is tart, with the chocolate tones underlying
Mouthfeel: Full bodied with moderate to high carbonation and a puckering effect; some warmth in the gullet
Overall: On the backs of the Cognac Barrel Noir, this is a disappointment; I was curious to see how the Tequila flavor contrasted with the Cognac but that was not to be; fortunately, it wasn't a total loss
Feb 28, 2015
GClarkage from California
4.2/5 rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Jan 16, 2015
4.2/5 rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Jan 16, 2015
belgbeerdrinker from Colorado
3.66/5 rDev -7.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Jan 15, 2015
3.66/5 rDev -7.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Jan 15, 2015
metter98 from New York
3.88/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
A: The beer is jet black in color. It poured with a thin tan head that died down, leaving a large patch of bubbles on the surface and a collar around the edge of the glass.
S: Light to moderate aromas of tequila are present in the nose along with hints of the underlying stout.
T: The taste is similar to the smell, except that the tequila flavors aren't quite as strong. Notes of dark malts are present.
M: It feels medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer does a good job in hiding its alcohol—only the tequila from the barrel aging shines through.
Serving type: bottle
Jan 01, 2015
3.88/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
A: The beer is jet black in color. It poured with a thin tan head that died down, leaving a large patch of bubbles on the surface and a collar around the edge of the glass.
S: Light to moderate aromas of tequila are present in the nose along with hints of the underlying stout.
T: The taste is similar to the smell, except that the tequila flavors aren't quite as strong. Notes of dark malts are present.
M: It feels medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer does a good job in hiding its alcohol—only the tequila from the barrel aging shines through.
Serving type: bottle
Jan 01, 2015
largadeer from California
2.85/5 rDev -27.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
Barrel integration is nice, not too heavy-handed, but seems to have a low level infection. Some noticeable tartness.
Feb 01, 2015
2.85/5 rDev -27.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
Barrel integration is nice, not too heavy-handed, but seems to have a low level infection. Some noticeable tartness.
Feb 01, 2015
jaymo18 from Virginia
4.16/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Mar 22, 2015
4.16/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Mar 22, 2015
dar482 from New York
4.54/5 rDev +15.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
What a interesting beer. The beer hits of almost tart sour cherry notes, then onto a medium plus roasted quality. Barrel punches through giving the beer spicy qualities, presumably from the tequila spices.
The beer drinks slightly smaller than its ABV, but it's so fun and delicious.
Jan 27, 2015
4.54/5 rDev +15.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
What a interesting beer. The beer hits of almost tart sour cherry notes, then onto a medium plus roasted quality. Barrel punches through giving the beer spicy qualities, presumably from the tequila spices.
The beer drinks slightly smaller than its ABV, but it's so fun and delicious.
Jan 27, 2015
jlindros from Massachusetts
3.85/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Thanks to barnold_wc (Reddit) for this one.
Pours a darker creamy frothy almost 1 finger head that fades at a slower pace, decent lacing and long legs, pitch black thick beer.
Nose is interesting, a flash of earthy tequila barrel out front, herbal agave plant like character, with mild toasty oak, then quickly into the stout, mild baking spices, dark roasty malts, little fudgey cocoa and fluffy nougat, cocoa and biscuity cookie notes, then back to a mild wood dust and spicy tequila note, vegetal like green pepper late.
Taste brings big stout out front, heavy dark roasty malts, very roasty a little burnt char, with a little dark roasty cocoa, charred cocoa, a faint biscuity cookie, with some burnt dark chocolate cocoa, char, faint nougat caramel. Then mild agave notes, a little peppery tequila and earthy vegetal like character but it's very light, hard to get through the roast, mild roasted burnt coffee late, with a touch of toasted oak. Finish is dry but a bit sticky, big flash of cocoa and burnt roasted coffee, little vegetal tequila.
Mouth is heavier bod, little creamy, faint flash of booze warmth, nice carb.
Overall not bad, started nicely on the nose, but the taste was just too much acrid roast burnt flavors and the tequila barrel was almost nonexistent on the flavor.
Jan 04, 2016
3.85/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Thanks to barnold_wc (Reddit) for this one.
Pours a darker creamy frothy almost 1 finger head that fades at a slower pace, decent lacing and long legs, pitch black thick beer.
Nose is interesting, a flash of earthy tequila barrel out front, herbal agave plant like character, with mild toasty oak, then quickly into the stout, mild baking spices, dark roasty malts, little fudgey cocoa and fluffy nougat, cocoa and biscuity cookie notes, then back to a mild wood dust and spicy tequila note, vegetal like green pepper late.
Taste brings big stout out front, heavy dark roasty malts, very roasty a little burnt char, with a little dark roasty cocoa, charred cocoa, a faint biscuity cookie, with some burnt dark chocolate cocoa, char, faint nougat caramel. Then mild agave notes, a little peppery tequila and earthy vegetal like character but it's very light, hard to get through the roast, mild roasted burnt coffee late, with a touch of toasted oak. Finish is dry but a bit sticky, big flash of cocoa and burnt roasted coffee, little vegetal tequila.
Mouth is heavier bod, little creamy, faint flash of booze warmth, nice carb.
Overall not bad, started nicely on the nose, but the taste was just too much acrid roast burnt flavors and the tequila barrel was almost nonexistent on the flavor.
Jan 04, 2016
twelveinches from Washington
3.75/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Jan 28, 2015
3.75/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Jan 28, 2015
define333 from California
3.94/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Dec 25, 2014
3.94/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Dec 25, 2014
Kenai4 from Minnesota
4.37/5 rDev +10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Mar 23, 2015
4.37/5 rDev +10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Mar 23, 2015
huysmans from New Jersey
3.17/5 rDev -19.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Feb 04, 2015
3.17/5 rDev -19.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Feb 04, 2015
TWStandley from Massachusetts
3.93/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Dec 31, 2014
3.93/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Dec 31, 2014
PretzelCity from California
4.29/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Dec 06, 2015
4.29/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Dec 06, 2015
billab914 from Virginia
3.43/5 rDev -12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Mar 08, 2015
3.43/5 rDev -12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Mar 08, 2015
Gonzoillini from Illinois
4/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Jan 28, 2015
4/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Jan 28, 2015
jaydoc from Kansas
3.78/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
May 13, 2016
3.78/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
May 13, 2016
wethorseblanket from California
3.96/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Mar 29, 2015
3.96/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Mar 29, 2015
DoubleSimcoe from Pennsylvania
3.78/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Apr 07, 2015
3.78/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Apr 07, 2015
Tequila Barrel Noir from Almanac Beer Co.
Beer rating:
89 out of
100 with
156 ratings
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