Outside The Lines - Barrel Aged
Trillium Brewing Company
Beer Geek Stats:
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- Stout - American Imperial
- ABV:
- 12.7%
- Score:
- 97
- Avg:
- 4.47 | pDev: 6.04%
- Reviews:
- 30
- Ratings:
- From:
- Trillium Brewing Company
- Massachusetts, United States
- Avail:
- Retired (no longer brewed)
- Wants
- 18
- Gots
- 26
SCORE
97
World-Class
97
World-Class
Notes:
When we met the Omnipollo team in California at the inaugural RateBeer Best Fest, we knew we had to find a way to brew together. #sweden
We decided to go beyond our comfort zone to craft an immensely robust Imperial Stout that landed at 12.7% abv. Then came a balanced addition of Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans and subtle hint of green cardamom to accent a liberal dose of cold brewed medium roast Barrington Gold coffee. For an additional layer of complexity, we aged a small amount in Heaven Hill Bourbon Barrels for 6 months.
MALT: American 2-row Barley, Black (Patent), C-60, Caramunich, Roasted Barley, Special B, Dextrine, C-120, Pale Chocolate
HOPS: Columbus
We decided to go beyond our comfort zone to craft an immensely robust Imperial Stout that landed at 12.7% abv. Then came a balanced addition of Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans and subtle hint of green cardamom to accent a liberal dose of cold brewed medium roast Barrington Gold coffee. For an additional layer of complexity, we aged a small amount in Heaven Hill Bourbon Barrels for 6 months.
MALT: American 2-row Barley, Black (Patent), C-60, Caramunich, Roasted Barley, Special B, Dextrine, C-120, Pale Chocolate
HOPS: Columbus
Reviews: 30
| Ratings: 156
| Log in to view all ratings and sort
Reviews by rossracing:
rossracing from Illinois
3.75/5 rDev -16.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Mar 09, 2019
3.75/5 rDev -16.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Mar 09, 2019
More User Reviews:
MJSFS from Florida
4.86/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
10oz pour at the Canton taproom. Occasionally you drink a beer and the only response is WOW! This is one of those beers. The aroma and flavor is so complex it is leaving me speechless. Dark chocolate, coffee, dark fruits, tobacco, leather, barrel, and a candied sugar make for a awesome experience. Mouthfeel is medium but it's clinging to my tongue and gums leaving a sugary alcohol coating. For a New England style IPA brewery, they hit a home room in the BBA Stout category. Well done Trillium. I feel privileged to have experienced this masterpiece.
Dec 27, 2016
4.86/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
10oz pour at the Canton taproom. Occasionally you drink a beer and the only response is WOW! This is one of those beers. The aroma and flavor is so complex it is leaving me speechless. Dark chocolate, coffee, dark fruits, tobacco, leather, barrel, and a candied sugar make for a awesome experience. Mouthfeel is medium but it's clinging to my tongue and gums leaving a sugary alcohol coating. For a New England style IPA brewery, they hit a home room in the BBA Stout category. Well done Trillium. I feel privileged to have experienced this masterpiece.
Dec 27, 2016
RAlmeida77 from Massachusetts
4.69/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 750 mL bottle into a tulip glass.
A: Pours very thick and viscous. Leaves a finger of dark tan head.
S; Dark chocolate fudge, cardamom, vanilla, some roasted coffee and some barrel character. Smells decadent.
T: Milk chocolate, caramel, vanilla, subtle roasted coffee, cardamom (not overpowering), bourbon barrel flavors. Balanced but sweet.
M: Thick, full, creamy body. Low to med carb. Very nice.
O: Fantastic stout here. The barrel aging really made this beer better.
Dec 28, 2016
4.69/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 750 mL bottle into a tulip glass.
A: Pours very thick and viscous. Leaves a finger of dark tan head.
S; Dark chocolate fudge, cardamom, vanilla, some roasted coffee and some barrel character. Smells decadent.
T: Milk chocolate, caramel, vanilla, subtle roasted coffee, cardamom (not overpowering), bourbon barrel flavors. Balanced but sweet.
M: Thick, full, creamy body. Low to med carb. Very nice.
O: Fantastic stout here. The barrel aging really made this beer better.
Dec 28, 2016
Resuin from Massachusetts
4.53/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 750 mL bottle into an enlarged snifter.
A: Pours thick and black and leaves a finger of dark tan head.
S; Dark chocolate fudge, cardamom, vanilla, roasty coffee, a hint of wood.
T: Milk chocolate, caramel, vanilla, roasty coffee (light), hint of cardamom, light oak in the finish. Very well balanced.
M: Thick, full, creamy body. Low to med carb. Very nice.
O: This is a great stout: thick, balanced between sweet and roasty/bitter, with a lot of nice flavors. Chocolate flavors really come out nicely.
Dec 28, 2016
4.53/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 750 mL bottle into an enlarged snifter.
A: Pours thick and black and leaves a finger of dark tan head.
S; Dark chocolate fudge, cardamom, vanilla, roasty coffee, a hint of wood.
T: Milk chocolate, caramel, vanilla, roasty coffee (light), hint of cardamom, light oak in the finish. Very well balanced.
M: Thick, full, creamy body. Low to med carb. Very nice.
O: This is a great stout: thick, balanced between sweet and roasty/bitter, with a lot of nice flavors. Chocolate flavors really come out nicely.
Dec 28, 2016
Davepoolesque from Massachusetts
4.54/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Wow. Huge cardamom flavor up front. Nice coffee, vanilla and chocolate mid-palate. A tinge of oak on the very back end. Nice boozy warmness in the chest. Semi dry finish. Luscious, thick, rich mouth feel. Really solid.
Feb 22, 2017
4.54/5 rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Wow. Huge cardamom flavor up front. Nice coffee, vanilla and chocolate mid-palate. A tinge of oak on the very back end. Nice boozy warmness in the chest. Semi dry finish. Luscious, thick, rich mouth feel. Really solid.
Feb 22, 2017
smcel371 from New York
4.5/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Feb 23, 2017
4.5/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Feb 23, 2017
7irondave from Massachusetts
4.73/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Jan 23, 2017
4.73/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Jan 23, 2017
BeantownBrews from Massachusetts
4.79/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Nice tan head, that dissipates quickly, jet black with minimal spotted lacing
Smells like the barrel is strong with this one, a hint of booze and coffee with touch of sweetness
Taste is much like the nose but a bit tamer than expected, except for the barrel wow gets the flavor, the bite without taking the stage really well done
Feel is nice but a tad on the thin side for the style
Overall awesome barrel work from Trill
Dec 27, 2016
4.79/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Nice tan head, that dissipates quickly, jet black with minimal spotted lacing
Smells like the barrel is strong with this one, a hint of booze and coffee with touch of sweetness
Taste is much like the nose but a bit tamer than expected, except for the barrel wow gets the flavor, the bite without taking the stage really well done
Feel is nice but a tad on the thin side for the style
Overall awesome barrel work from Trill
Dec 27, 2016
robertm2152 from Illinois
4.34/5 rDev -2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Aug 03, 2017
4.34/5 rDev -2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Aug 03, 2017
DrederickTatum from New Jersey
4.47/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Jan 21, 2017
4.47/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Jan 21, 2017
hopley from Massachusetts
4.29/5 rDev -4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Sep 04, 2019
4.29/5 rDev -4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Sep 04, 2019
Scottsbeer from Florida
4.43/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Mar 22, 2020
4.43/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Mar 22, 2020
WanderingFool from Massachusetts
4.41/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Jan 24, 2017
4.41/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Jan 24, 2017
sulldaddy from Connecticut
4.55/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Sampled this cellar temp 22 oz bottle tonight poured into a snifter. The beer pours a deep chocolate brown with no light passing through my glass when I hold it to the light.
There is a 2.5 cm densely packed tan head with creamy appearance.
The aroma is rich dark chocolate with sweet vanilla notes and roasted malt and coffee mixing together. A bit of sweet brown sugar and some faint bourbon too. I dont get any hop profile nor any boozy heat from this bigger beer. The aroma is appealing and on the sweet side.
First sip reveals a creamy textured fairly thick beer with smooth and gentle carbonation. Very nice physical traits on this beer. No heat on the finish, further hiding the ABV.
The flavor is what I expect from the nose, dark chocolate and some brown sugar and vanilla, a little bit of dark fruit mixing in. The coffee is kind of muted and I also dont get as much bourbon at this point. The hops are no where to be found. I find this a robust and complex Imp stout and really enjoyed working on the bottle. Probably a better idea to split this with a friend, but it is doable solo. Enjoy if you have one as I dont think it will get any better, and the coffee will fade more over time.
Mar 26, 2018
4.55/5 rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Sampled this cellar temp 22 oz bottle tonight poured into a snifter. The beer pours a deep chocolate brown with no light passing through my glass when I hold it to the light.
There is a 2.5 cm densely packed tan head with creamy appearance.
The aroma is rich dark chocolate with sweet vanilla notes and roasted malt and coffee mixing together. A bit of sweet brown sugar and some faint bourbon too. I dont get any hop profile nor any boozy heat from this bigger beer. The aroma is appealing and on the sweet side.
First sip reveals a creamy textured fairly thick beer with smooth and gentle carbonation. Very nice physical traits on this beer. No heat on the finish, further hiding the ABV.
The flavor is what I expect from the nose, dark chocolate and some brown sugar and vanilla, a little bit of dark fruit mixing in. The coffee is kind of muted and I also dont get as much bourbon at this point. The hops are no where to be found. I find this a robust and complex Imp stout and really enjoyed working on the bottle. Probably a better idea to split this with a friend, but it is doable solo. Enjoy if you have one as I dont think it will get any better, and the coffee will fade more over time.
Mar 26, 2018
stereosforgeeks from Virginia
4.25/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Apr 07, 2017
4.25/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Apr 07, 2017
TheManiacalOne from Rhode Island
4.3/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
On-tap 12/31/2016 at the brewery in Canton, MA, served in a tulip glass.
A: The beer is a deep dark brown color, with a short brown head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.
S: The aroma contains very strong bourbon, black coffee, chocolate, licorice and roasted malts.
T: The taste starts out sweet with strong flavors of coffee, bourbon, dark fruit and dark chocolate. Then a hearty roasted malt character comes in. The hops presence is very mild as you would expect but it still provides a good balance. The after-taste is very sweet.
M: Smooth, viscous and kind of syrupy, heavy body, light-to-medium carbonation, finish is very sticky.
O: Very tasty, goes down dangerously easy, slightly filling, very strong kick, good representation of style, this is a very good big stout to drink for a long time.
Dec 31, 2016
4.3/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
On-tap 12/31/2016 at the brewery in Canton, MA, served in a tulip glass.
A: The beer is a deep dark brown color, with a short brown head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.
S: The aroma contains very strong bourbon, black coffee, chocolate, licorice and roasted malts.
T: The taste starts out sweet with strong flavors of coffee, bourbon, dark fruit and dark chocolate. Then a hearty roasted malt character comes in. The hops presence is very mild as you would expect but it still provides a good balance. The after-taste is very sweet.
M: Smooth, viscous and kind of syrupy, heavy body, light-to-medium carbonation, finish is very sticky.
O: Very tasty, goes down dangerously easy, slightly filling, very strong kick, good representation of style, this is a very good big stout to drink for a long time.
Dec 31, 2016
griffey123 from Connecticut
4.93/5 rDev +10.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Apr 17, 2017
4.93/5 rDev +10.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Apr 17, 2017
Damian from Massachusetts
4.37/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Drank from a 25.4 fl oz (750 ml) bottle purchased at Trillium Brewing Company, Boston, MA
Served in a snifter
Dark caramel brown appearance. A bit lighter in color and thinner in body than I anticipated. The liquid was topped by a small cap of saddle brown froth that quickly fell to a thin ringlet. Minimal streaky lacing along the glass.
The aroma was really interesting. Spice notes came through big time. This reminded me of some type of imperial holiday ale. I thought I picked up ginger and nutmeg, but this was likely the cardamom. Lots of fragrant vanilla too. Moderate amount of roast. Good dose of brown sugar sweetness. There was a subtle creamed coffee presence as well that intensified as the beer warmed.
The flavor profile was similar to the nose but boozier. There was a strong roasted malt presence on the front end. The roastiness was nicely offset by sweet brown sugar notes. Loads of vanilla and spices in the center. As in the nose, I would have guessed ginger and nutmeg. Some maple and chocolate fudge was noticeable too. Cold coffee was also detectible. Boozy, bourbon notes came through strong on the back end and in the finish. Pleasantly warming. Some roast and booze lingered after the swallow. As the beer sat, the sweetness intensified.
Nice fuller bodied mouthfeel. Uber creamy and plush on the palate. The liquid contained an ultra fine, moderate, tongue blanketing effervescence. After a few sips, the sugars in the beer left a sticky film on my lips.
While I remember welcoming the spice notes in the original version of Outside the Lines, I found them to be a bit overwhelming in this barrel-aged variation. All in all, an impressive beer for sure, but you have to be in the right mood for it.
Jan 14, 2017
4.37/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Drank from a 25.4 fl oz (750 ml) bottle purchased at Trillium Brewing Company, Boston, MA
Served in a snifter
Dark caramel brown appearance. A bit lighter in color and thinner in body than I anticipated. The liquid was topped by a small cap of saddle brown froth that quickly fell to a thin ringlet. Minimal streaky lacing along the glass.
The aroma was really interesting. Spice notes came through big time. This reminded me of some type of imperial holiday ale. I thought I picked up ginger and nutmeg, but this was likely the cardamom. Lots of fragrant vanilla too. Moderate amount of roast. Good dose of brown sugar sweetness. There was a subtle creamed coffee presence as well that intensified as the beer warmed.
The flavor profile was similar to the nose but boozier. There was a strong roasted malt presence on the front end. The roastiness was nicely offset by sweet brown sugar notes. Loads of vanilla and spices in the center. As in the nose, I would have guessed ginger and nutmeg. Some maple and chocolate fudge was noticeable too. Cold coffee was also detectible. Boozy, bourbon notes came through strong on the back end and in the finish. Pleasantly warming. Some roast and booze lingered after the swallow. As the beer sat, the sweetness intensified.
Nice fuller bodied mouthfeel. Uber creamy and plush on the palate. The liquid contained an ultra fine, moderate, tongue blanketing effervescence. After a few sips, the sugars in the beer left a sticky film on my lips.
While I remember welcoming the spice notes in the original version of Outside the Lines, I found them to be a bit overwhelming in this barrel-aged variation. All in all, an impressive beer for sure, but you have to be in the right mood for it.
Jan 14, 2017
mothman from Minnesota
4.35/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I didn't like the regular outside the lines, but I like this. It has all that weird spice and coffee but the bourbon and vanilla really bring this beer together. Thick and flavorful. The cardamom shows, but it's enjoyable.
Feb 18, 2017
4.35/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I didn't like the regular outside the lines, but I like this. It has all that weird spice and coffee but the bourbon and vanilla really bring this beer together. Thick and flavorful. The cardamom shows, but it's enjoyable.
Feb 18, 2017
jlindros from Massachusetts
4.63/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Thanks to rudzud
Nice creamy fluffy mocha head, fades at a fair pace, little lacing, decent legs, pitch black
Nose huge fresh coffee as loads of cardamom, big spice, a touch vanilla, little cocoa chocolate, little caramel and baking spice, vanilla barrel, faint bourbon, wish the vanilla and barrel was a bit more
Taste big spice, cardamom bomb, big caramel and some juicy vanilla, some cocoa, little bitter roast, fresh coffee, mild nutty coffee, little spicy like spices, dark choc, vanilla ice cream, little barrel, toasted malt.
Mouth is fuller bod, creamy rich thick, decent carb, very little booze
Overall awesome beer, one of the best stouts I've had from them
Nov 13, 2017
4.63/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Thanks to rudzud
Nice creamy fluffy mocha head, fades at a fair pace, little lacing, decent legs, pitch black
Nose huge fresh coffee as loads of cardamom, big spice, a touch vanilla, little cocoa chocolate, little caramel and baking spice, vanilla barrel, faint bourbon, wish the vanilla and barrel was a bit more
Taste big spice, cardamom bomb, big caramel and some juicy vanilla, some cocoa, little bitter roast, fresh coffee, mild nutty coffee, little spicy like spices, dark choc, vanilla ice cream, little barrel, toasted malt.
Mouth is fuller bod, creamy rich thick, decent carb, very little booze
Overall awesome beer, one of the best stouts I've had from them
Nov 13, 2017
Vicirus from Massachusetts
4.84/5 rDev +8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Dec 28, 2016
4.84/5 rDev +8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Dec 28, 2016
PhineasMcClintock from Massachusetts
4.5/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Dec 27, 2016
4.5/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Dec 27, 2016
nmann08 from Virginia
3.93/5 rDev -12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Feb 19, 2017
3.93/5 rDev -12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Feb 19, 2017
schinebd from Massachusetts
4.68/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Mar 25, 2017
4.68/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Mar 25, 2017
beast464 from Maryland
4.5/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Jan 22, 2017
4.5/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Jan 22, 2017
Outside The Lines - Barrel Aged from Trillium Brewing Company
Beer rating:
97 out of
100 with
156 ratings
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