Double Fudge Barrel Aged Abduction
Pipeworks Brewing Co.

16 ounce can, canned 07/19/24 stamped on the bottom side of the can. Big thanks to Brutaltruth for this! Served in a BeerAdvocate chalice, the beer pours dark brown/black with about a half inch or so tan head that didn't stay around for too long. Not much lacing at all. Aroma is nice, the brew smells like roasted malt, dark chocolate fudge, bourbon, and vanilla. Taste is similar to the aroma, but with the addition of some oak, dark bready and earthy flavors. Nice amount of barrel character here. Mouthfeel/body is medium/full, it's coating and a bit rich with a moderate amount of carbonation. I liked this one, worth trying if you get the chance!

 

16oz, date stamped 07/19/24
L: inky black body; thin khaki head
S: sweet chocolaty fudge, oaky bourbon, roasted grain, vanilla
T: sweeter flavors with notes of dark chocolate, fudge, bourbon, oak, vanilla, roast
F: thick and full body, sticky and syrupy, lower carbonation, booze helps to cut the sweetness some
O: super fudgy and chocolatey stout that is nicely barrel-aged

Purchased at Beer Bazaar, Hainesville, Illinois.
Thick black pour, no head, no lacing.
I used to give my Aunt Gloria, those little whiskey filled chocolates for Xmas when I was about 10 years old, that's what this smelled like, I wish this tasted that good. I can't believe this has Pipeworks on the label.

 

1/11/25 - (Can - Home) (Chicago, IL) Can Notes: Purchased a single can for $12.12 with tax on August 23, 2024 at the Pipeworks Dojo, refrigerated at home until this afternoon. 16 oz canned July 19, 2024. 12.5% ABV. Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels with cocoa. Label Art by Beejay Olson. 2024 Pipeworks Brewing Company. Brewed and Canned in Chicago, Illinois.

Appearance: Poured 2/3 of the can into a hand held snifter. Dark black thick pour, faint dark tan black head lasts a hot minute before leaving just a bright eclipse looking white dark tan ring around the base with no cover. 4.0

Aroma: Strong bourbon aroma upon opening, gains fruit (plums, raisins) and chocolate after letting this warm to near optimal temperature. 3.5

Taste: Harsh strong bourbon front and center, cocoa and fruit flavors overcome with an abundance of sweetness, which is too strong for my preference. Missing the depth I expected, bourbon barrels not great either, 3.5

Mouthfeel: Sticky with cocoa and other sweet flavors enhancing what feels like a medium body, negligible carbonation. Drinks strong, the bourbon ever present though unfortunately not satisfying like most BA stouts including Pipeworks. Sweet gooey fruit and cocoa finish. 3.25

Overall: This selection is not my first choice in terms of cocoa vs. a pure barrel plus base, but there is not aspect that standouts out beyond a general sweetness, and a bourbon barrel that is just not lining up for me. Will finish this one, but will stick with base and other barrels for future purchases. 3.5

From the 16 oz can in a snifter. This beast pours an oil slick obsidian with
a faint head of fizzling foam that singes to a razor thin ring and subtle dusty layer.
Nose of astringent bourbon and dark bakers cocoa with faint vanilla and subtle
dark fruits. Flavors surpass the nose with aplomb. Dark bakers chocolate dances
about waves of bourbon, vanilla wafer cookies, and damp oak with fudge appearing
with warmth alongside blueberry and brulee notes. Mouth feel is full, smooth,
slick, coating, light to faint carbonation, and a sweet and bitter malt finish that
teeters on cloying.

Overall, a decent little pastry imperial

Cheers

 

Appearance - The beer was silky black with very light carbonation visible.

Smell - The bourbon really shined in the nose, but not so much for the fudge.

Taste - Much like the smell, the bourbon made the biggest impression. The fudge notes came more toward the back with some chocolate hints scattered throughout the profile.

Mouthfeel - The body was silky, smooth.

Overall - Even though this was a moderate disappointment, it was still very enjoyable.