Emboozlement - Barrel-Aged
Rough Draft Brewing Company

Ok appearance, hazy with only the hints of lacing - I've seen better looking beers for sure.

The smell is one that reminds me of a fairly sweet, non-complex ruby port. It is very far from a normal beery smell which is interesting if not really expected or inviting. But interesting counts for a lot.

Legitimately the least beer-like beer I've ever had. Does not have much of a boozy character, but is very sweet and port-like still. The bourbon barrel is unmistakable and not overcooked. Slight bittering hops for balance but I think more of a non-citrusy hop would improve the drinkability.

Thin carbonation and not the greatest drinkability.

Although a tripel in name it sort of defies the style. Overly sweet though not cloying. But not satisfying as a crisp, bready tripel should be. A curious beer, however, and I'm glad I've had it. Worth a try.

08/12/2016

 

Poured into a Gavroche tulip. Pours a medium golden amber with an effervescent two finger white head that dissipated rapidly to a persistant thick cap with light lacing. Aroma of sweet malt, apple and orange citrus juice, clove and light bourbon, exactly as I'd expect a barrel aged tripel to smell. Inviting. Flavor follows with sweet neutral malt, light fruit juice leaning towards apple and mild orange family citrus, clove, Belgian yeast and bourbon; a bit boozy. Medium bodied with active a bit too spritzy carbonation. An apparently light tripel with quite distinctive bourbon treatment. Not much oaky barrel component, but clearly barrel aged; surprisingly active carbonation for a barrel aged ale. The balance of tripel and bourbon flavors is well done, although the bourbon does somewhat dominate the Belgian ale character, which is spot on tripel profile. Like the aroma, the flavor is a bit boozy. I'm a big fan of bourbon and like this a lot, but it might be less attractive to a person who is looking for clear tripel character. I liked this enough to be curious about the base tripel and will try it on my next trip to California. I'm not sure I've had a bourbon barrel tripel before, but the flavors work together. Interesting.

 

Very boozy. Did not match style. Tasted more like a lesser version of Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale.

 

 

 

Attractive golden brew in the Maredsous goblet with a white foam. Hot and tangy on the tongue. Lovely woody aroma with the wee hint of funk.

Tasty barrel flavor with the ideal sweet and malty Tripel base. Taste of applejack with a shot of pear liqueur, if there is such a thing. Warm grain smoothness.

The alcohol blends nicely with the boozy flavors and the fruity depths. A delicious and strong tipple. From the 12 oz bottle purchased at Liticker's Liquor in Ocean Beach.

 

 

 

 

Served in a 10oz tulip glass, very cold.

Appears clear straw yellow, no head.

Aroma of cloves, pineapple, and licorice, with very slight malt character.

Signature barrel-aged taste (bourbon?), spices, cloves, wild flowers, and yeasty. Just a tad of bitterness followed by an overwhelming malt sweetness. Comparable to the Lightning Brewery Barrel-Aged Electrostatic Ale.

Medium-full bodied, with medium carbonation. This is a sipping beer, as it does not roll off the tongue easily.

Overall, a decent barrel-aged ale. Cannot comment on the original version, but I would probably have this again with pizza or other Italian food.