Barrel Aged Hell's Black Intelligencer
3 Floyds Brewing Co.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had this on tap in a plastic cup at DLD '13. I love regular HBI, and this I thought was a bit better. Not much in the way of coffee, but, not overpowered by the booze either. I'd really like a second go at this in a setting where I haven't had 4 or 5 other BA Stouts by that point.

 

On-tap at Dark Lord Day. Served in a plastic cup.

A - Tan foam settles to a collar, wisps, and no lacework. Near-black, opaque body.

S - Vanilla, coffee, mild roast, and bourbon. As it warms, the bourbon and oak intensify significantly. Between the barrel and coffee the malt character is largely overwhelmed, but it still smells quite appealing.

T - The taste is quite similar, with a hefty dose of oak, coffee, and whiskey, but with a bit more dark chocolate and roasted malt character. Light vanilla from the barrel in the periphery, but fairly low sweetness. Not much alcohol presence; just bourbon flavor. Some intensifying espresso bitterness over time.

M - Medium body, lower carbonation, and no alcohol heat. Surprisingly smooth texture for a barrel-aged coffee beer, with only mild tannins in the finish. Sufficient heft for the lower ABV.

D - I really liked this, and it didn't sound anything like the version that Mike had at Paddy Long's a few months back. Perhaps the additional age smoothed things out. I'm not sure I like it better than regular HBI, as the bourbon and coffee sort of fight for my palate's attention, but I'd happily order this again.