The Shroud - Brandy Barrel Aged
Bravery Brewing

Pours deep dark coffee with light fading cap at brewery in tulip glass. Caramel and coffee on the nose with barrel aged punch make this an amazing local craft imperial stout. Malty - Rich - Bold - Roasty - and Boozy at11.8% ABV. AMAZING beer that just kicked Ol Rasputin in my opinion. Check it out if ever in the Lancaster area. Cheers to the craft of ale stout love.

Tasted from a 22 oz wax-sealed bottle bought at the brewery.

L - Color is a deep brown but with an obvious red tint. Light only comes through right at the edge when held up to the light, but it is enough to tell that it has great clarity. Head is a medium tan color and piles high initially, then fades to a thin sheet along with a thick ring around the glass' edge.

S - Obvious imperial stout aromas of deep chocolate, coffee and slightly roasted grains, but there are other layers. There is a grape and red wine layer. There is also a sharper alcohol note that is reminiscent of brandy. This smells delicious.

T - This beer has a wealth of flavors. Initially the liquor flavors are more dominant than the stout flavors, although they develop and intertwine throughout the palate. There is a strong brandy note, but softened by lots of oak. Underneath are the chocolate and coffee. As in the aromas, the roasted grains are at a lower level.

F - Thick, silky mouthfeel with strong but creamy carbonation. Medium hops bitterness is apparent, but seems subdued next to a strong, slightly hot alcohol presence.

O - This is a masterful beer. It is a wonderful blend of stout, barrel wood and barrel liquor flavors and aromas. None of them get too far out front, resulting in a complex, well-rounded, delicious beer.

 

 

Bottle poured into a snifter.

Near black with thin light brown lacing

Smell: brandy really stands out, dark fruits, chocolate undertones

Taste: chocolate, oak, brandy. Not as much depth as was present in the nose. Finishes pleasantly dry.

Mouthfeel is a touch over-carbonated for my tastes. Body is fairly light for the style

 

 

 

Another example of why ageing stouts in brandy barrels should be more popular. Take one whiff, and there's no mistaking that it's had time in a brandy barrel; the nose is full-on calvados, with a light dusting of cocoa and roasted malt. On the palate, though, it's balanced and avoids turning into a sugar bomb. Still a dessert beer, as you get a lot of cherry cordial, rum raisin, and Christmas cake notes, but it drinks very smooth and hides the alcohol exceedingly well, unlike some other brandy-aged beers like The Angel's Share that can be a bit sharp or hot. The ageing also contributes a slight oakiness from the barrel that complements some of the nuttiness in the base stout.

This is a whale killer had KBS last night and this kills it on every level hands down.
Aroma excellent brandy sweet malt chocolate
look dark pitch black tan head not lasting very long
mouthfeel is creamy and well balanced
taste is were this stout excels brandy chocolate coffee subtle sweet malts just an excellent tasting beer. Maybe the best stout I've had this year. Black Note, KBS, the Bruery's best, Firestone Walker, Sunday Morning Stout, Big Bad Baptist, and few others this was as good if not better than most. If you find this buy this this won't be and LA secret for long!!!!

Thanks to Skuter for sharing this one at his tasting.

Pours an opaque black with a foamy dark khaki head that settles to wisps of film on top of the beer. Tiny dots of lace drip into the remaining beer on the drink down. Smell is of dark roasted malt, molasses, fudge, cocoa powder, char, and slight brandy aromas. Taste is much the same with chocolate syrup, molasses, dark fruit, brandy and wood flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of roast bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very good beer with great brandy barrel aged characteristics all around.

Serving type: bottle.