St. Tuber Abbey Ale - Bourbon Barrel-Aged
Birdsong Brewing

 

 

The name caught my eye in the singles cooler, so I grabbed this one on a whim. I'm glad to have done so! BBA St. Tuber pours a thick, but transparent, copper, with some legs suggesting sweetness to come. The actual sweetness is well-balanced, merely making the legs somewhat unexpected for 9.0% abv. Traditional Belgian dubbel spices on the nose, with some occasional whiffs of sweet potato chips alongside caramel, cherry. The barrel oak and booze is light but present throughout. Some phenols and dried fruit on the palate, in line with classic dubbels but still carving its own path. The sweet potato is subtle but shows up more as the beer warms.

Came in a goblet a clear deep ruby red with a thinner but well sustained head atop,just loved the rich color to the beer.Clove and cinnamon over top of milder bourbon in the nose,quite spiced.Bourbon notes up front on the palate but not overly so with clove spice and some of the sweet potato flavor coming into play late.Just well rounded,not overly spicy,and not to much bourbon barrel.Very nice.

 

 

 

 

Poured from a growler into a tulip glass. ABV 7.6%

A - Dark ruby red with brown highlights. Little to no head, lacing non existent.

S - Bourbon/whiskey, clove, pepper spice.

T - Follows the nose, but dominated more by the belgian yeast, spice, and dark fruit, with whiskey/bourbon and a grape like taste sitting in the background.

M - Carbonation low. The mouthfeel is dense, but not sticky. Coating is the right word.

O - A tasty offering, a little pricey, but being a small barrel aged batch, probably in line with costs and worth the premium.

 

 

 

 

 

Poured on-tap at the brewery and served in a shaker pint, the beer is a muddled amber-brown coloring, with a fluffy, low profile, off-white head. Nose of rich, old-world fruit sweetness, light mint highlights, earthy notes, and a rich sweetbread backbone. Flavors are perfectly balanced, with a blend of crème, sweet potato, booze, vanilla, earthy notes, brown sugar, and subtle caramel notes. Great lacing, with a smooth, mid-bodied feel. The aftertaste is roasted sweet throughout, with a smooth, slightly crisp finish. Great beer.