Bourbon O.E.
Smog City Brewing
Beer Geek Stats:
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- Barleywine - English
Ranked #16 - ABV:
- 13.1%
- Score:
- 95
Ranked #997 - Avg:
- 4.37 | pDev: 7.09%
- Reviews:
- 30
- Ratings:
- From:
- Smog City Brewing
- California, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating/Seasonal
- Wants
- 18
- Gots
- 27
SCORE
95
World-Class
95
World-Class
Notes:
Bourbon O.E. or B.O.E. as we call it in the taproom has garnered a strong following since 2013 when it was first released. This beer boasts balance above all with beautiful vanilla, oak, and char characteristics balanced out with the malty complexity of a true English Barleywine.
Reviews: 30
| Ratings: 142
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Reviews by tbone1384:
tbone1384 from Wyoming
4.5/5 rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Apr 14, 2018
4.5/5 rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Apr 14, 2018
More User Reviews:
Wowcoolman from California
4.41/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Very old world, like hanging out in a British polished wood study enjoying a snifter of Bourbon brew. Texture is a little shellac-like, coating the mouth with boozy viscosity. Nice and smooth, the bottled version is more rounded with less alcoholic burn than on tap.
Apr 09, 2015
4.41/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Very old world, like hanging out in a British polished wood study enjoying a snifter of Bourbon brew. Texture is a little shellac-like, coating the mouth with boozy viscosity. Nice and smooth, the bottled version is more rounded with less alcoholic burn than on tap.
Apr 09, 2015
BucannonXC5 from California
4.5/5 rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Type: 500-ml. bottle
Glass: AleSmith Barrel-Aged Reserve 10-oz. snifter
From: Darin
Price: $14.00
Purchased: July 1, 2018
Consumed: July 3, 2018
Reviewed as: English Barleywine (#BiL)
Misc.: 2018 release; Bottled on May 14, 2018; Maroon waxed cap
Was helping Darin pick out some beers at Monkish (easy) and Smog City (harder) over texts, and two days later I found out that he got me a bottle of this. I had recommended this one, and was mad that I forgot to ask him to buy one for me and I would pay him back. So was excited that he picked it up anyway. Beer Advocate description read, “Bourbon O.E. or B.O.E. as we call it in the taproom has garnered a strong following since 2013 when it was first released. This beer boasts balance above all with beautiful vanilla, oak, and char characteristics balanced out with the malty complexity of a true English Barleywine.”
Poured a reddish brown-to-chestnut brown semi-clear color with 1-to-2 fingers of frothy off-white head. Tons of bubbles coming up along the sides of the glass at a rapid rate. Bad watery lacing. Very good retention. (Sight - 3.50)
Smelled oak, toffee, boozy bourbon, vanilla, caramel, butterscotch, figs, pecan, tobacco, leather and coconut. (Smell - 4.75)
Taste was almost as good. Wow. Just lovely. Got oak, smooth bourbon, vanilla, toffee, caramel, butterscotch, figs, pecan, maple syrup, coconut, tobacco, leather and milk chocolate. (Taste - 4.50)
Medium body. Sticky texture. Average carbonation. Long, smooth, warming finish. (Feel - 4.50)
Just an awesome beer. So much better than I thought it would be. Can’t wait to try it again. (Overall - 4.50)
4.50 | 100 | A+
Jul 30, 2018
4.5/5 rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Type: 500-ml. bottle
Glass: AleSmith Barrel-Aged Reserve 10-oz. snifter
From: Darin
Price: $14.00
Purchased: July 1, 2018
Consumed: July 3, 2018
Reviewed as: English Barleywine (#BiL)
Misc.: 2018 release; Bottled on May 14, 2018; Maroon waxed cap
Was helping Darin pick out some beers at Monkish (easy) and Smog City (harder) over texts, and two days later I found out that he got me a bottle of this. I had recommended this one, and was mad that I forgot to ask him to buy one for me and I would pay him back. So was excited that he picked it up anyway. Beer Advocate description read, “Bourbon O.E. or B.O.E. as we call it in the taproom has garnered a strong following since 2013 when it was first released. This beer boasts balance above all with beautiful vanilla, oak, and char characteristics balanced out with the malty complexity of a true English Barleywine.”
Poured a reddish brown-to-chestnut brown semi-clear color with 1-to-2 fingers of frothy off-white head. Tons of bubbles coming up along the sides of the glass at a rapid rate. Bad watery lacing. Very good retention. (Sight - 3.50)
Smelled oak, toffee, boozy bourbon, vanilla, caramel, butterscotch, figs, pecan, tobacco, leather and coconut. (Smell - 4.75)
Taste was almost as good. Wow. Just lovely. Got oak, smooth bourbon, vanilla, toffee, caramel, butterscotch, figs, pecan, maple syrup, coconut, tobacco, leather and milk chocolate. (Taste - 4.50)
Medium body. Sticky texture. Average carbonation. Long, smooth, warming finish. (Feel - 4.50)
Just an awesome beer. So much better than I thought it would be. Can’t wait to try it again. (Overall - 4.50)
4.50 | 100 | A+
Jul 30, 2018
FrogOut69 from California
4.63/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
May 14, 2015
4.63/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
May 14, 2015
PA-Michigander from Pennsylvania
4.25/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Jan 22, 2017
4.25/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Jan 22, 2017
More_betterness from California
4.27/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Bottle 1404
A: Deep ruby body with ridiculous clarity for a BA barley wine. Wispy head disappears to nothing almost immediately.
S: Big caramel, vanilla, and toasted coconut layered with dark fruit and a custard like sweetness. Crazy inviting.
T: Figs, burnt sugar, and woody bourbon in the forefront. An odd but pleasant berry note takes up the rear. Alcohol heat makes itself known as it warms.
M: Medium bodied and dry with a lingering tannic finish. Much thinner than most barleywines but is fitting here.
O: Damn impressed with this one. Haven't had much that I've loved from Smog City,but am really happy to have tried this.
Apr 28, 2015
4.27/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Bottle 1404
A: Deep ruby body with ridiculous clarity for a BA barley wine. Wispy head disappears to nothing almost immediately.
S: Big caramel, vanilla, and toasted coconut layered with dark fruit and a custard like sweetness. Crazy inviting.
T: Figs, burnt sugar, and woody bourbon in the forefront. An odd but pleasant berry note takes up the rear. Alcohol heat makes itself known as it warms.
M: Medium bodied and dry with a lingering tannic finish. Much thinner than most barleywines but is fitting here.
O: Damn impressed with this one. Haven't had much that I've loved from Smog City,but am really happy to have tried this.
Apr 28, 2015
fthegiants from California
4.25/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Oct 16, 2017
4.25/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Oct 16, 2017
T_Hass from Georgia
4.33/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Jun 28, 2015
4.33/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Jun 28, 2015
Hayley_86 from Netherlands
4/5 rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Nov 05, 2017
4/5 rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Nov 05, 2017
Rochefort10nh from New Hampshire
4.27/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Dec 07, 2019
4.27/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Dec 07, 2019
RobinLee from Wisconsin
4.56/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Oct 22, 2020
4.56/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Oct 22, 2020
paulish from New York
4.5/5 rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Mar 03, 2019
4.5/5 rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Mar 03, 2019
DCLAguy11 from California
4.36/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Apr 09, 2015
4.36/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Apr 09, 2015
Keananmichael5 from California
2.92/5 rDev -33.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Very sweet and very malty
Apr 12, 2015
2.92/5 rDev -33.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Very sweet and very malty
Apr 12, 2015
chefbigjon from Arizona
4.38/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Sep 27, 2017
4.38/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Sep 27, 2017
AleHunter805 from California
4.1/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Dec 02, 2017
4.1/5 rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Dec 02, 2017
NolaHopHead from Louisiana
4.41/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Mar 14, 2018
4.41/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Mar 14, 2018
DIM from Pennsylvania
4.56/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Really stoked for this one. 2020 edition, 14.9% abv.
The ever-(overly)loquacious folks at Tavour called this bourbon pecan pie. That's pretty darn apt I'd say. Plenty of decadent toffee, rich vanilla, and mellow spirits as well. These were wet barrels I guess, far more booze than oak. Easily up there with the best I've had. And my cheap ass only bought two...
Love ya for this Smog City!
Sep 29, 2020
4.56/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Really stoked for this one. 2020 edition, 14.9% abv.
The ever-(overly)loquacious folks at Tavour called this bourbon pecan pie. That's pretty darn apt I'd say. Plenty of decadent toffee, rich vanilla, and mellow spirits as well. These were wet barrels I guess, far more booze than oak. Easily up there with the best I've had. And my cheap ass only bought two...
Love ya for this Smog City!
Sep 29, 2020
Kevinpitts from Illinois
4.35/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Great barleywine. A little one note; lacks some depth, but this is nitpicking. On the sweeter side. Nice and smooth. Caramel notes. Good.
Jun 16, 2017
4.35/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Great barleywine. A little one note; lacks some depth, but this is nitpicking. On the sweeter side. Nice and smooth. Caramel notes. Good.
Jun 16, 2017
t2grogan from Arizona
4.25/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Jul 04, 2016
4.25/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Jul 04, 2016
crobinso from Colorado
4.35/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
Feb 23, 2020
4.35/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
Feb 23, 2020
stephenlee from England
4.41/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Oct 23, 2018
4.41/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Oct 23, 2018
sheenisgod from California
4.25/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Jun 16, 2015
4.25/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Jun 16, 2015
cryptichead from Illinois
4/5 rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Dec 02, 2016
4/5 rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Dec 02, 2016
mig100 from Texas
4.07/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Apr 05, 2015
4.07/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Apr 05, 2015
Bourbon O.E. from Smog City Brewing
Beer rating:
95 out of
100 with
142 ratings
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