Baby Maker
Jack's Abby Brewing

Baby MakerBaby Maker
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From:
Jack's Abby Brewing
 
Massachusetts, United States
Style:
American Barleywine
ABV:
14%
Score:
93
Avg:
4.18 | pDev: 10.77%
Reviews:
43
Ratings:
352
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Apr 23, 2020
Added:
Oct 17, 2013
Wants:
  60
Gots:
  63
This "Lager Wine" aged for nine months in bourbon barrels previously used for Framinghammer.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Damian:
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Reviewed by Damian from Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Drank from a 1 pint .9 fl. oz./.5 liters bottle purchased at Gordons Fine Wines & Liquors, Waltham, MA
Served in a snifter

The beer poured a brilliant, nearly crystal clear, glowing orangey-amber color. A frothy, one-finger tall, off white crown topped the liquid. The head quickly fell to a lasting bubbly mass.

The nose was really rich and robust. Very malt forward. Sweet and slightly boozy. Quite rummy. Fruity. Caramel and toffee notes came through strong. Good amount of vanilla and honey. Brown sugar was noticeable as well.

The flavor profile was also very malt-centric. Quite sweet on the front end. Almost a bit cloying. Caramel and toffee notes were apparent. Indications of maple and golden raisins came through as well. Touch of honey. Quite boozy on the finish. Given the exceedingly high ABV, however, the alcohol was actually quite restrained. While the beer was aged in bourbon barrels, the booziness seemed more sweet and rummy than bourbony. The barrels also contributed some light tannic notes. Subtle, dry and bitter, piney hop notes lingered.

The mouthfeel was surprisingly lighter bodied. A crisp, fine effervescence gave the beer a creamy smoothness.

The guys at Jack's Abby consistently put out new and exciting beers and Baby Maker is no exception. This "lager wine" is a perfect sipper for a cold winter's night. I really look forward to trying Bride Maker, the supposedly re-tooled and improved version of this beer.
Nov 13, 2014
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.26 by JakerLou from New Hampshire

Apr 23, 2020
Photo of hopley
Rated by hopley from Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bottled 2013, drank April, 2020 out of a tulip.

Aged well, sweet malt bomb, alcohol there but somewhat hidden, glad I finally cracked this legend!
Apr 15, 2020
Photo of BEERchitect
Reviewed by BEERchitect from Kentucky

4.24/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Highly complex and certainly not trying to be an imperial IPA, the brewers of Jack's Abby put together a malt bomb of a beer that balances beautifully with American hops, and then aged in oak barrels for added complexity and charm.

Hazy and peachy, the golden amber lager pours with a hazy viscosity that shows a slow separation of beer from creamy froth. Its scent billows over with candied malts, stone fruit, citrus and pine. To taste, the beer's bready sweet introduction is redolent with poundcake, honey and caramel.

Deliciously malty, the lager showcases the taste of malted barley at an extremely high degree. Candied fruit flavors of apricot, apple, cherry, plum and sultan skirt over a persistent caky sweetness with those honey and caramel flavors holding firmly in place. Its balance from hops come with the fresh zests of grapefruit and orange ahead of a growing bitterness that's laced with torn pinecone, muddled grasses and a peppery spice from alcohol.

Full bodied and lavishly sweet, the beer's malt to hop ratio is impeccable while an overcast of light wine, oak and sherry savoriness provided a nuanced tier of taste that continues to reward the tastebuds deep in aftertaste even though the bitterness continues to tighten.
Jul 17, 2017
 
Rated: 4.16 by Farnswurth from Illinois

May 25, 2017
 
Rated: 3.75 by BMart from Pennsylvania

Oct 25, 2016
 
Rated: 3.74 by dfhhead25 from Pennsylvania

Oct 24, 2016
Photo of NolaHopHead
Reviewed by NolaHopHead from Louisiana

4.34/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Bottle. Pours bright golden, finger white head, nice lacing. Sweet candy aroma, mild booze. Big sticky sweet taste with plenty booze, but not burning. Fruity notes. Medium to full slick feel was impressive. Slow sipper, very tasty brew.
Sep 24, 2016
 
Rated: 4.1 by MDDMD from Pennsylvania

Jun 18, 2016
 
Rated: 4.66 by NHhomebrewguy from New Hampshire

Mar 12, 2016
 
Rated: 4.25 by DMcGirr from Massachusetts

Feb 22, 2016
 
Rated: 4.4 by AnitaBrewski from Massachusetts

Nov 28, 2015
 
Rated: 4.23 by IrishColonial from Texas

Nov 08, 2015
 
Rated: 4.25 by devilfluff from New Jersey

Oct 03, 2015
 
Rated: 4.16 by harsley from Massachusetts

Sep 02, 2015
 
Rated: 4.09 by fehrminator from North Carolina

Aug 22, 2015
 
Rated: 4.35 by MarkyMOD from Colorado

Aug 01, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by oline73 from Maryland

Jul 04, 2015
Photo of ThickNStout
Reviewed by ThickNStout from Georgia

4.36/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
500mL bottle from 7Sport (many thanks!). No obvious bottle dating. Served in a Barrel and Barley teku.

Pours a near opaque pale orange with a finger and a half ecrue head. The thin halo that lingers leaves no lacing.

Full, rich nose of bourbon, toffee, honey, dark fruit and faint vanilla. Quite nice.

The aromas were not at all deceiving. Many layers of flavor including bourbon, oak, honey, toffee, vanilla, burnt caramel, cereal grains, dark fruit, leather, faint char, brown sugar and a healthy dousing of booze. Everything works well together and despite the obvious heat this drinks much easier than expected for 14% abv. Absolutely delicious.

Slick, full body with subtle carbonation. Bourbon heat lingers in the long, sweet aftertaste along with honey, toffee and vanilla.

My introduction to lager wines has me quite interested in trying more. I'll call Baby Maker the Jack's Abbey response to Bourbon County Barleywine. This was a phenomenal extra and a pleasure to drink.
May 11, 2015
 
Rated: 3.9 by morebeergood from Massachusetts

May 10, 2015
Baby Maker from Jack's Abby Brewing
Beer rating: 93 out of 100 with 352 ratings