Skulllbuster
Country Boy Brewing

 

Feeling a little spunky for their sixth birthday, the Country Boys team up with nearby Liquor Box retailers for a Belgian styled darker, stronger ale that's taken a nice long slumber in Knob Creek bourbon barrels.

Dark fruit and candied barley rounds the nose along with a tingle of spice and whisky as the nose is taken by blend of wine and whisky. Dark garnet in color, the hazy and ominous ale carries a short pillowy froth that succumbs to the booze quickly. Hard candy, brown sugar and honey splash on tip of the tongue as the juicy malt flavors erupt with the first sip.

A slow recession of malt has the sweetness lingering long on the middle palate. Candied sweetness gives greater rise to the fruity balance of the ale which bring a date, fig, raisin, cherry and apple medley to the forefront. Spicy with peppercorn and vinous spice, a red wine character peaks through the sweet veil and invites a late palate of caramel, vanilla, toasted oak, coffee and cocoa.

Full bodied and decadent in finish, the beer's mild carbonation has the session tasting like barleywine but feeling like old ale. The weight of the malts keep the beer from dryness or digestability but rewards the tastebuds with full malt flavor. A long aftertaste of toasted fruit and over cooked honey trail deep and robust into the next sip.