Buckhorn Strong Ale
Elevation Beer Co.

The pour is golden amber with an ivory colored head that reaches 1 cm in height.
The taste is layered; it starts (for me at least) with the sense of red wine aged in whiskey barrels and the malty base of the ale comes in next. It is almost sweet tasting, or perhaps that’s in comparison to what came before. The bready base holds its own even when you want the wine soaked whiskey to return.
The feel is lightly viscous, right where I expect a barrel aged beer to be.
OA, this one is interesting and I am glad I picked up a 4 pack so I can try to dial in what I’m tasting.

 

Clear, brownish-orange body; lively carbonation; nice off-white head, lasting and sticky. Great smell; sweet and roasted grain notes; brown sugar; no significant barrel elements. Bold flavors; caramel and brown sugar intermingled with suggestions of roasted grains and nuts; a near-perfect presence of whiskey complementing the heavy sweetness. Heavy body; thick and sticky; nice warming undercurrent.

Is an easy-drinking strong ale an oxymoron? Perhaps. Still, that's how I feel about this beautiful big brute of a beer. I will definitely purchase at least one more 4-pack to cache away for upcoming special winter festivities and generally cold, wintry days.

ABV: 12%; pouring temperature: 52.1 °F; canning info: 10?42024
Source: local purchase (Coaltrain Fine Wine, Craft Beer & Spirits)