El Mariachi - Brandy Barrel-Aged
Aardwolf Brewing Company

 

 

 

 

Latest bottling, specifying "Apple Brandy." I will maintain this review under the original "Brandy Barrel" entry unless the brewery decides a separate entry is warranted.

Basically no head; a slight fizz eventually appears, but quickly disappears to a completely calm, flat body with no hint of foam. Body is a dark, purplish-black.
Edit: second pour from the same bomber (a full day later) produced a very solid 1/2 finger of dark foam, including modest retention - albeit from a more turbulent pour. Still, the head reaction from two different pours, from the same bottle, is baffling. The rating has been adjusted to reflect the second pour, which is likely more true to an on tap experience.

Apple brandy notes are quite noticeable on the nose, to the extent that very few of the many flavor additives are noticeable. There is a slight, nutty char, chocolate, brown sugar, red grapes, and vinous peppers, along with perhaps some cream, vanilla, and cinnamon notes that tend to blend in with the brandy.

Very similar presentation on the palate, with the apple brandy treatment at the forefront, and maintaining prominence throughout the sip. Cinnamon and peppers add accents in the first third, with just a kiss of chocolate. The middle is almost entirely apple brandy, cinnamon, vanilla, and cream, before dark chocolate and cinnamon carry the finish. Peppers carry virtually no heat (likely due to the time spent in the barrels), but there is a bit of a green, vinous touch present primarily up front, blending with oak and brandy.

Despite the lack of head, the body is just lively enough - and full bodied enough - that it works very well. The sip is quite long with a lingering finish. Slick.

A lot of the original character of El Mariachi is lost in the mix here. Chocolate is definitely noticeable, but not as strongly as in the original; the peppers are an afterthought; and while the vanilla and cinnamon are prominent, they blend with the barrel so well as to not actually stand out. That might sound like a criticism .... if it didn't work. Fortunately, it really, really works! The result is a delicious treat, neither hot nor overly sweet.

650ml bottle, Brandy Barrel Aged stamped on the label, 2017 vintage, poured into a 14oz snifter glass.

The beer pours a deep black color, cola brown hues with a thin tan head that has no retention and only a few spots of lace clinging to the glass. The aroma is great, bakers chocolate, light spice, a bit of heat, caramel forward cognac barrel, light wood and vanilla. The flavors are very good, rich and decadent, tons of chocolate, smooth grains, smooth cognac barrel, oak and brown sugar, light stone fruits, sweet vanilla bean with a light heat from the pepper blend. The mouthfeel is good, silky and smooth medium body that coats well and finishes easily with a touch of heat from the peppers and warmth from the booze.

Verdict: A good barrel aged stout from Aardwolf. The cognac is really nice and helps tone down the pepper heat but the balance is great, the vanilla comes across well and the chocolate character is excellent. Nicely done beer.

 

 

 

 

 

Tastes like a cycle stout without the hype.

 

 

A - Pitch black pour with a micro-thin lacing ring.

S - Brandy, dark chocolate, cocoa.

T - Brandy, bourbon, dark chocolate, cocoa, oak, some spiciness on the back end, and lingering brandy chocolate sweetness.

M - Big and full bodied with an oily slick mouthfeel.

O - Recommended.