Country Western (Volume 3 Imperial Red Ale)
West Sixth Brewing Company

 

2015 tried in 2020
2015 tried in 2023 still great. Tastes similar to a great barleywine
2015 tried in 2025, past prime. Carbonation was gone, seems very oxidized. Metallic nose.

Appearance: Pours slightly hazy with a deep tawny, copper color; the ecru head comes in under an inch but the beer is leggy, with dots of lace drizzling down the glass

Smell: Caramel and pecans, with a hint of cocoa; Bourbon and vanilla underpins

Taste: Liquid pecan praline on the tastebuds, with the cocoa adding depth; Bourbon and vanilla arrives with a boozy blast through the middle, with the pecan and caramel tones building into the finish

Mouthfeel: Full bodied with low to moderate carbonation; some warmth in the gullet

Overall: Not for the faint of heart, this is a big, sweet brew that is an after-dinner sipper; I would characterize it as a Strong Ale for the purposes of BA categorization

Thanks, SPLITGRIN, for the opportunity

 

 

 

 

 

 

I shelved this beer for several months, just opened tonight. A fantastic beer from start to finish. The alcohol is there from the beginning but not overpowering. Very nice finish.

 

 

 

Big? Oh we went big here. Nap time will follow this beast.

A dark red, this one is going to black. A huge beer.

Red ale notes but none of the hops at all. Instead just rich toffee and vanilla.

Creamy rich toffee and vanilla. This flavor really needs more hop flavor.

I think we've got a good beer that just missed. A bit of hop character would turn this from good to great.