Sethiroff
Blue Stallion Brewing Co.

Not leaving well enough alone, the brewers at Blue Stallion may have a soft spot in their heart for the classic beer styles of Europe, but they are still heavily influenced by the bourbon industry that's alive and well in their own back yards. A strong Scottish ale aged in bourbon barrels seem to do the trick!

Sethiroff swoons the nose with plethora of malt dominance. Molasses, maple and brown sugar follow a ruddish mohogany pour and a popping ecru froth. Nuances of apple, cherry and grape come with subtle hints of soil, sod and pepper. Sweet to taste, the malty initial palate is of kettle caramelization, peanut brittle and heavily toasted sugars.

As the heavy ale warms and as the carbonation settles down, the beer glides onto the middle palate with a melded taste of vinous fruits, syrups and tawny alcohols. Pepper, earth and hops begin to balance the persistent sweetness with their broad woodsy bitterness, soil-like spice, coffee and a pep of drying roast. Caramels, vanilla and a hint of coconut return in finish to give the beer a final push of sweetness and booze.

Full bodied and moderately syrupy, the nutty taste of oak comes with a bold kick of whisky spice and the sweet honey-like liquor that comes along with it. A long, savory aftertaste approaches cloying before backing off to a spicy, toasty and earthy melange of tastes and textures to take the edge off of the maltiness, if ever so slightly.