Derivation Blend #7
Side Project Brewing

 

 

 

Pours pitch black. Nose is wood, bourbon, char, dark chocolate. Toasty milk chocolate, tobacco, smoke, bourbon. Excellent mouthfeel, thick smooth, silky, overall a non adjunct masterpiece.

 

 

 

 

 

 

at 50 bucks or so a go, and this abv, this bottle of beer, which always seems to be onsite only in this series, is absolutely a commitment. however, the dedicated will be rewarded with what might not be the most original of the derivation blends (assuredly not), but might be one of the best overall, at least from an objective standpoint. big and black and barrel heavy and boozy for sure, this is much more an expression of the base beer than some of the others have been, if the base beer is even consistent across the series, i dont know. heavy oatmeal and roast and even char in the base, weighty as can be, fortified by a robust burnt oak character, high carbon bitterness, earthy dark chocolate, molasses, decent whiskey, and a touch of vanilla to finish it off, its a whole lot, but its awesome. surprisingly enough, the bourbon doesnt even really hit me that hard, like, its not super whiskey heavy, i think the huge grain base is useful there, and while this is colossal in stature, there is a balance to it in that way. i like it better warmer, with more chocolate and coffee notes coming out, and much more of the wood, this becomes downright concentrated, too intense in some ways, but also so mellow on the feel that you forget its as stupidly big as it is, and in the end, its remembered, at least by me, as something of esteemed quality more than of flavor differentiation, especially compared to other derivation releases. special beer, less stuff to cover up whatever flaws might be there, but this also sort of proves that there are none. this is above and beyond, and worth the price!

 

 

 

 

Bought a bottle for sharing on 5-20-17. Pours black with nada in the head department. Great lacing. Almost stains the glass on contact. Barrel shows itself upon presentation to the olfactory sensory apparatus. Good barrel notes that finish on the sweeter side. Gets more chocolatey as it warms. Overall a good BA stout, but I prefer the other versions I've had more.