Oak Aged Creeper (Bordeaux French Oak 2nd Run)
SweetWater Brewing Company

 

Appearance: Delivered to the upstairs Belgian bar at the Brick Store Pub a hazed, dark orange-amber body with a creamy, off-white head.

Smell: The malts are light in the nose and provide some mildly sweet hints. Subdued citrus hop notes. The bolder French oak barrel notes certainly stand out.

Taste: Slender malt character with sweet touches of sugar and (though faintly) honey. Big taste of French oak with touches of smooth vanilla and wood. The citrusy hops and bitterness found in the original version are certainly decreased here, but, thankfully, the tannic oak qualities help to balance things out. Small touch of spice. Drying, smooth finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus body. Medium carbonation.

Drinkability: The quiet rest in the French oak barrel has certainly transformed it, but, for me, it's now a more enjoyable experience than the standard issue Creeper. That's just me though!

On tap at the Brick Store Pub for their 12th anniversary celebration. Poured a hazy golden with a grainy head that fades to a nice ring. Great lacing. Smells yeasty, grainy, and there is a nice balance between the French Oak and the Belgian yeast. French oak tends to be more austere and dryer than American oak and impart more woodiness and tight, dry tannins than the buttery, vanilla saturated flavors of American Oak. In this case the oak has checked much of the fruitiness of the Belgian yeast and left something more subtle. This is a second use barrel, and the beer has picked up just a touch of tartness from the beasties in the wood. Nice counterpoint to the tannic, tight woodiness and lusher flavors of the yeast. Light and slightly sweet to start, followed by a light tang and a dry, light astringency at the end. Pretty interesting to see all the subtle changes various barrels add (or in some cases subtract) from the beer. I wouldn't say this is better than regular creeper, just different- and very interesting.