Barbary Barrel Noir
Almanac Beer Co.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wow is this beer underrated or what?! Very good. I had it on tap tonight here in NC all the way over on the right hand of the dial from San Francisco where it's brewed. For reference, I'm comparing it to Avery Mephistopheles Stout which is the other beer I had on tap tonight.

First the "look." Dark black and a nice syrupy top layer that coats the glass when you tilt it like a nice Merlot.

Nice boozy smell like any respectable barrel aged stout but slightly sweet with a hint of vanilla as well. The Avery offering in comparison is much more heavy on the booze notes bordering on port wine. Both awesome in there own special way.

The taste is sweet booze/dark fruit/ smokey sweetness to balance it out so nothing is overwhelming in a negative way. And the sips have a nice mouthfeel. It stays with you while you enjoy this well executed beer. Good job doods.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the first stout I've had from almanac and I would love to try more after having this one.
The appearance is pitch black with no lingering head. Some alcohol legs too.
The aroma is chocolate, vanilla, bourbon, peppers, and alcohol sweetness.
The taste is big with chocolate, bourbon, vanilla, pepper, oak and malt sweetness.
The palate is nice and full with a lingering alcohol and pepper heat along with malt sweetness.
Overall this is an excellent barrel aged stout that I would love to get a bottle of to age.

 

 

 

 

 

Tried this with no expectations, as I've only ever had sour offerings from Almanac. Smell isn't dominated by vanilla, but it is the most prominent of all the ingredients. Lighter mouthfeel, to be expected from a milk stout. Taste is VERY sweet up front, but the chili peppers help temper the sweetness, but doesn't make this brew too spicy. Overall - a fantastic balance of interesting flavors. Definitely glad I gave this a chance, and will seek out bottles if made available.