The Stumbler
Backwoods Brewing Company

2021 Vintage: 12.5% ABV

Poured from a 22 ounce bottle into a snifter.

Look- Deep brown, medium brown frothy head, opaque, well below average head retention and lacing.

Smell- Whiskey, oak, vanilla, between medium and high strength of scent.

Taste- Whiskey, vanilla, cocoa, oak, coffee, maple syrup at finish, mildly sweet, high strength of flavor.

Feel- Medium body, below average carbonation, moderately bitter, mildly sweet, silky, moderately mouth warming, mildly mouth coating.

Overall- Deep brown and opaque with well below average head retention and lacing. The bouquet was a simple, but pleasant mix of whiskey, oak and vanilla. The flavor is where this beer really exceled. It was much more complex than the nose lead on. Consisting of notes of whiskey, vanilla, cocoa, oak, coffee finishing with a wonderful touch of maple syrup at the finish. The body was thinner than expected. I like beers that are slightly under carbonated, but this one was too under carbonated possibly due to the age, but it was wax dipped. Other feel characteristics were pleasant. Overall this beer provided a nice drinking experience, but the simplicity of the nose and lack of carbonation were detractors.

This is one GREAT beer. It's not too sweet, not to heavy, medium bodied. Pours a dark chocolate brown with a minimal tan head that goes away quickly. Aroma is bourbon and dark malt with a hint of chocolate. No coffee taste which I like because I'm not a fan of coffee. Had on tap, going to see if I can find a bottle to age. Should age well. 15 IBUs Rated 2-20-2022

Midnight black opaque body, oatmeal brown head. Aromas are marked by notes of black strap molasses, tobacco, and leather dotting waves of bourbon, dark wood, roasted malt and dark chocolate. Taste is simpler: roasted malt, bourbon barrel and dark chocolate with black strap molasses accents. Feel is not as robust for a RIS, barrel is warm and supplies mild tannins too, frothy and dry on the finish

Only my second beer from this brewery in a towering 22 oz. bottle (the first was an…underwhelming IPA). Split with my wife.

The pour is dark & has a bit of life considering the ABV & style. The nose blasts the center of expectations; whiskey, sweet malts, chocolate.

The Stumbler lowers a barrel-like shoulder on the palate. Whiskey! Whiskey. There’s a lot of (malt?) whiskey in there & the flavortron analysis indicates it occupies 71.6% of the taste profile. That’s a lot, & the ‘tron might be under-estimating. And it bites. There are bits of chocolate, decent amount of oak, figs on the finish. Very smooth, which is odd considering the heat. Half a bomber? Sounds good.

No inventive dance steps here, just a straightforward, very good barrel aged stout.

22 ounce bottle into a snifter. 2021 edition, had 5/29/22.

Pours a dark cola color, mostly opaque, with a quarter inch quickly dissipating head and sparse foamy lacing. Aromas of whiskey, malt, chocolate, oak, some char. Flavors of whiskey, malt, vanilla, chocolate, some oak and raisins. Smooth, a very good lighter full body, appropriately carbonated.

Fairly straightforward, but it has solid and distinct aromas and flavors. Lighter than typical for the style, but not thin feeling. Very enjoyable.

wonderful malty stout nice bourbon after taste creamy slightly sweet

Pours a dark golden bronze with moderate to slow carbonation and a one finger head. Aroma is whiskey and malt. Taste is lighter than expected -- whiskey, caramel, some brown sugar, chocolate and a raisin-type finish. Finish is smooth and light for the ABV. Holds together nicely, even as it warms.

 

Poured into a Fremont small snifter. Pours a very dark mahogany brown, appearing nearly opaque black in the glass with a half finger dark khaki head that's somewhat fizzy and dissipates to a thick film with light lacing. Aroma of dark toasted malt, chocolate, vanilla and whiskey, slightly nutty; inviting. Flavor is dark toasted malt, dark chocolate, vanilla, whiskey and some dark dried fruit. Big chocolatey whiskey finish with oak notes. Medium bodied with light to moderate creaminess and sharp carbonation. This stout is aromatic on opening the bottle, big whisky character in the aroma and taste. Strong chocolate and vanilla character. The whiskey is quite forward, but the malt is so robust that it still feels balanced. Very nicely done. The fizziness and sharp carbonation would make me hesitate to cellar this one, although it might be an interesting experiment. A bit hot, but full flavored and delicious right now. A local sleeper.

Pours a deep dark brown with a thin tan head that drops quickly to a stable ring, leaving minimal lacing. Aroma of dark roasts, a little char, and some nice vanilla notes. Taste is that plus an initial hint of chocolate and a nice dose of bourbon. Medium bodied and smooth and at 12.5%, it’s a sipper.