Saint Of Circumstance Sour Mash Whiskey Barrel Aged IPA
Berkshire Brewing Company

Saint Of Circumstance Sour Mash Whiskey Barrel Aged IPASaint Of Circumstance Sour Mash Whiskey Barrel Aged IPA
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From:
Berkshire Brewing Company
 
Massachusetts, United States
Style:
English IPA
ABV:
5.7%
Score:
82
Avg:
3.56 | pDev: 26.4%
Reviews:
20
Ratings:
53
Status:
Retired
Rated:
May 27, 2015
Added:
Apr 28, 2012
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  5
Saint of Circumstance Sour Mash Whiskey Barrel Aged IPA married the grassy hop notes of this unique India Pale Ale with the richness of whiskey and oak, creating an enticing brew of exceptional character. The use of a mystery hop means this beer can never be duplicated. Aged 8 months in barrels from a well known Tennessee distillery, we at Berkshire Brewing Company offer up this special brew as a treat to you, our loyal customers. Ad Chris and Gary are fond of saying "Its all about the beer, but the beer is nothing without the people". We hope you enjoy it, and thank you for your support.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by jlindros:
Photo of jlindros
Reviewed by jlindros from Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I'm really interested in a sour mash whisky barrel aged IPA, this should be really interesting.

The head took a bit of time to rise up and looked like it would be minuscule, but it eventually got to a fluffy 1/2 finger head that faded at a med pace with bits of lacing. It's a fairly clear slight chill hazed honey orange color.

Nose is a blend of IPA and whisky, who would have thunk it. Mostly whisky at first, bourbon like sweet malt aroma, with a bit of vanilla barrel, toasted oak, and a light fresh whisky aroma. Hops bring a light citrusy and grassy earthy pop in the background, with hints of orange and tangerine, and some sweet juicy malts.

Taste is even more unique, starting with a slight sour malt flavor, like the sour mashed whisky imparted the sour portion of itself somehow. Then whisky again, more of a bourbon flavor like the dregs of a bottom of the barrel of bourbon, also bringing some vanilla and toasty slight buttery oak, and light saw dust like. The IPA underneath is light and rounded, with some sweet juicy reddish malts, along side the semi bitter earthy hops that give a bit of bitterness but not much, with very light orange and tangerine flavors, slightly herbal grassy touch as well. The tartness carries through, almost as if the beer itself soured slightly in the barrel, which is also possible, and gives the feel of a slight fruity flavor. The finish is a bit sweet still with sticky feel, light lingering bourbon and barrel, as well as some of the sweetish malts and light fruity hops.

Mouth is med to slightly heavier feeling bodied, with lighter but decent enough carb.

Overall interesting but not great, the hops are pretty much lost, as well as the bitterness. The malts add a bit, but mostly its a bourbon barrel ale like a few of the ones on the market marketed as just a bourbon barrel ale. The soured beer flavor is actually kinda nice and makes me thing this would go great in a live cask, but still an interesting beer.
Jun 02, 2012
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.36 by connecticutpoet from Connecticut

May 27, 2015
 
Rated: 4.25 by JCam9981 from North Carolina

Apr 03, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by Davepoolesque from Massachusetts

Oct 03, 2013
 
Rated: 2 by kirkse from Florida

Sep 23, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by Tiernan from Texas

Aug 02, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by GonzoHomebrewer from Massachusetts

Jul 27, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by vonnegut21 from New York

May 08, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by smi from New York

Dec 31, 2012
Photo of eclipse54
Reviewed by eclipse54 from Minnesota

3.36/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
A 22 ounce bottle from FluffyMcTingle; thanks! Into the tulip it goes.

Pours a hazy orange, copper color with over an inch of fluffy, almost frothy off-white head. Good retention, and even better lacing.

The aroma is unique, especially for an IPA. Lots of sour apple and tart pear up front, with some faint grapefruit citrus buried in there. Very sour nose, and I would mistake this for a wild or something if I didn’t already know what it was.

While it’s not nearly as tart in the mouth as the aroma suggests, there are still acidic fruit flavors in the fore. Apple, pear, and even some tart grape jump out, with some light citrus and floral hops behind them. There’s a dry oak flavor towards the end, and it finishes with a vague hint of whiskey.

Mouthfeel is light-bodied, due in no small part to the acidic/sour components. No shortage of carbonation - the bottle even gushed a bit upon removing the cap - and a clean, dry finish.

Overall, it’s hard to see this as an IPA based on the aroma and flavor profile. The barrel aging really did a number on this one, but in a new and interesting way I suppose. There are definitely enjoyable aspects to it, but don't go into it expecting a hoppy, citrusy "IPA."
Nov 28, 2012
Photo of ghostwalker
Reviewed by ghostwalker from Illinois

3.82/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Orange body. Thin, steadily replenishing, creamy, off-white head.

Nose is JD barrels with a soured sweetness that is almost Brett-like.

Flavor is not at all what I expected. Light malt, whiskey not that noticeable, huge sour on the finish. And Houston, I think we might have some Brett here! Surely that big sour apple bite is not solely from the sour mash... Interesting and really unique flavors. Much less hops than the label IPA might suggest.

Mouthfeel is crisp, clean and slightly slick.

Overall, very good. Not a huge drinkability, but I like it.
Sep 19, 2012
Photo of stonermouse
Reviewed by stonermouse from Massachusetts

3.57/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured into a Sam Adams glass.

Pours pretty, almost-amber and looks very much like a self-proclaimed "english IPA" should look. A bit hazy for the style, but still nice.

Aroma is quite nice. It smells boozier that it is, which is quite a trick. Some pretty potent oak flavor as well, with something a bit spicy and sour rounding it out. Just a really potent aroma here, with even a touch of pepper.

The taste is crazily all over the map. There's quite a bit of booziness and a touch of whisky, which belies the rather sedate 5.70 abv. The flavor is also quite tart and a little sweet, but almost to the point of distraction. One might think that sweet, tart, and whisky-booze would be a Manhattan-lovers dream, but think again. The flavor rounds out with a margarita-like sourness that just doesn't quite work.

Mouthfeel is decent- viscous with some stickiness in the finish.

This is a strange brew that doesn't much resemble the IPA it purports to be. It is something else entirely, but doesn't quite meld the variety of flavors into anything overly palateable. Try it for something interesting, but you may end up drain-pouring it.
Sep 09, 2012
 
Rated: 2.5 by DelicateDelirium from Massachusetts

Sep 04, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by ComRock12 from Massachusetts

Aug 25, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by Yallnumbskulls from Massachusetts

Aug 12, 2012
Photo of inandon
Reviewed by inandon from Massachusetts

3.96/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pour - deep brown with a hint of red slight foaminess

Smell - whiskey, oaked age deliciousness with a cider smell to it. Cider gone bad :)

Taste - not very hoppy, taste of apply pie with a hint of whiskey

Great beer, with some malty-ness to it with a heavy taste of apples.
Aug 07, 2012
Photo of SpeedwayJim
Reviewed by SpeedwayJim from New York

3.76/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thanks to Eric for this one. 22oz bomber into a SA sensory glass. Truly a unique brew.

Pours a 1 finger foamy white head with poor retention. Beer is a semi-clear bronze orange. Lacing is stringy and sparse with little cling. Not much to look at.

Nose is incredibly distinct. Hop presence is almost entirely missing for an IPA. Instead, notes of green apple tartness with a sweet booze character for balance. Strangely enticing. Aromatic.

Opens warm booze. Big malt body with a peat and oak tartness. Some ethanol towards the middle pushed to the background. Finishes tart, woody, and with some nice fruitiness. The slightest hint of hop bitterness in the aftertaste. Real good.

Light bodied with moderate to high carbonation. Prickly and lively in the mouth and refreshing and crisp going down. Mild finish with a slightly lingering aftertaste. Very solid.

I wasn't sure what to make of this beer... and I'm still not sure what to make of it a bomber later. All I know is, its a lot better than I thought it would be and its hugely sessionable. Nice!
Jul 27, 2012
Photo of smcolw
Reviewed by smcolw from Massachusetts

3.55/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Modest head that leaves very little lace. The color is orange-gold and very cloudy.

Sweet-sour aroma of wild cherry and tart raspberry. This smells far more closely to a Belgian lambic.

Strong and sour malt flavor. This is a low hopped IPA, perhaps because of the power of the body which lasts through the aftertaste. There is an oiliness to the body which likely comes from the alcohol and the whiskey flavor. Rich body with a low carbonation. I would classify this as a Belgian style, not English.

The bottle is correct: This is an unusual beer, worth seeking out if only to experience the difference.
Jul 14, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by kaelingirl from Massachusetts

Jul 05, 2012
Photo of ppoitras
Reviewed by ppoitras from Massachusetts

3.74/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
22oz bottle purchased as a single from Yankee Spirits, Sturbridge, MA.

Poured into a CCB pub glass, formed a beige skim over the slightly cloudy coppery amber brew. Skim recedes to simply a swirl promptly, with slow-falling lace. Aroma is sweet with obvious whiskey component.

Taste starts sweet with a tart undercurrent, sour cherry in the middle, and whiskey comes on at the close, and the tart keeps on keeping on. Mouthfeel is reasonably smooth, and drinkability is okay. A notch back on the tart would be preferrable, but you don't always get what you want with BA.
Jun 28, 2012
Saint Of Circumstance Sour Mash Whiskey Barrel Aged IPA from Berkshire Brewing Company
Beer rating: 82 out of 100 with 53 ratings