Grandpappy
Breakside Brewery - SE Taproom

 

 

Picked up a single from the Craft Beer Quick Stop in Phoenix 9-12-19 for $8.99. No bottling date; consumed 11-29-19.

Beer poured dark brown with a nice off white head that has some hang time.

Nose is nice, more bourbon forward than Grandmammy but also having the same touches of vanilla and maple.

Taste is bolder than Grandmammy, a more pronounced bourbon greets the palate and is integrated very nicely with the large lightly roasted malt base. Elements of vanilla and maple are melded in nicely over the bourbon. Finishes with some heat from the bourbon and a touch of sweetness.

Mouthfeel is disappointing, light bodied and lacking smoothness expected for the abv. Finishes more like a porter than an imperial stout.

Overall a tasty well crafted beer but definitely not a good value compared to similar beers.

Very smooth and enjoyable. Could easily have two unlike some other juggernaut barrel aged stouts. Sea salt chocolate and Graham crackers with a very smooth bourbon finish. Delicious!

Poured into a Fremont small snifter. Pours a very dark mahogany brown, appearing opaque black in the glass with a thin brown head that dissipates to patches with light lacing, but then continues to grow to a thick cap. Aroma of dark toasted malt, cocoa, maple and light bourbon with a light citrus note. Flavor is dark toasted malt, cocoa, light caramel, maple, bourbon and a light fruity component that has hints of cherry and lemon citrus. Medium bodied with light to moderate carbonation. A very interesting tasting barreled stout. Like the others Breakside has released this year, the profile is more like a robust porter, but a full bodied one. The fruit notes are unique in this one, hinting at citrus, but not having much, if any tartness; sometimes an estery cherry note surfaces. I really liked this variant, perhaps my favorite of the surprising number of variants they did this year. Recommended if you can find it.

 

Well, Grandpappy sure as hell looks well whatever his age. Nearly pitch black, clean looking, with auburn and ruby red highlights, and a proper, thin and tiny tight knit bubbled espresso foam colored ring just above the surface. The retention is impressive and the spotty lacing is just right.

Aroma is all booze at first, but give the old dog some time and it begins to shine. Molasses, chocolate and wood, with tart berry like sweetness stings. Just a drop of vanilla and some spice, but cinnamon is not exactly what comes to mind.

What a treat. Everything comes together very nicely here. The cinnamon shows itself well and the sea salt pops. The collective boasts a cherry soda likeness, but not in a medicinal way. Chocolate covered raisins before an oak and booze carry on in the finish.

Feel is a bit thin yet still oily. Slick and smooth with a light but spicy tingle. Favoring sweet along with low carbonation definitely encourages small sips. The booze is warming but dialed in appropriately.

Overall, this reminds me of what I would call Rusty Nail's little brother. It's very good but lacks intensity. Wether this is more refined or less, I think that would be up to the user. For me, it's a bit thin and the flavors don't explode. Having said that, it's still effing delicious. Cheers

 

An amazing gift from Phil. This was poured at fridge temp but allowed to warm over 30 min. Pours black as night with some nice light head. Does look as thick as I would have expected based on the description. Nose is dominated by maple, which is amazing. Bourbon, dark chocolate, spice, bread, lactose, cherries, maybe a touch of citrus, and a bit of pine. Taste is incredible. Maple, bourbon, spice, lactose, toffee, baking chocolate, and raisins come through. Maybe a touch of tobacco. Body is a bit thin, but otherwise a phenomenal beer!