Nappy Nap Time
Bull & Bush Brewery

Bottled in 2020, purchased from the source brewery. At this point, the main note is the chamomile, which makes it an interesting beer but not what I had originally expected from the label positioning as a "bourbon barrel-aged honey strong ale."

one of the more interesting and exciting beers i had in the beeriest of weekends, these guys have always been epic and underappreciated on the barrel aged stuff, but this is next level. a strong ale sort of between wheatwine and barleywine to me in how it presents, regardless of the grain bill, done with two kinds of honey, chamomile, spearmint, and lemongrass, and then aged in freshly drained bourbon barrels, pretty outrageous. this was the last thing i needed after the day i had had, but boy was it a joy to drink on. shiny copper colored brew without much head or carbonation, but not missed, just a prickle to the drink. the nose is insane, the richest and rawest and realest of honey profiles, never heard of radish honey before this, and also buckwheat honey, a cool combination! the honey is so real, so forward, and the herbs are all seemingly there to enhance it, not like this is minty per se, or lemongrassy, although it does have deep herbal character, even bitterness against the sweet, at the end, but the herbs are totally subservient to the honey, and that is fully true in the flavor too. lots of bourbon to both senses as well, vanilla notes enhancing honey, corn sweetness, warm alcohol only carries the honey further. thick and sticky like honey, the oak is bold, has some newness somehow too, and lends additional body, smoothness, and decadence to the whole thing. impressive depth here, quite alcoholic but i like it, feels almost like a health tincture with the honey and herbs. awesome balance, depth of flavors, and a super slow mouthfeel. throat coating and wintery and luxurious. high end and highly unique stuff, among the most robust uses of honey i have ever known in a beer, some something really special overall. sure to cellar with the best of them, drinking unreal right not, do not miss this one! a top top strong ale right here!