Rootstock & Blossom
Burlington Beer Co.

Really enjoyable and well balanced barrel aged spiced stout. It’s inky black with a short lived dark tan head settling down to a fully still appearance in the glass. It’s a bit sticky but not cloying or overly heavy and there’s still a little life in terms of carbonation on the tongue. Aroma is very appealing and I get the spirit barrels up front followed by cinnamon. It all falls together on the palate showing a solidly constructed stout base with whiskey barrel notes, spices (cinnamon really), and moderate sweetness. In the finish there’s a touch of booziness which is enjoyable and holds the other flavor notes in balance. It’s not really very apple-ey but the cinnamon helps give the suggestion of apple pie.

 

Behold ... the worst 'beer' I have ever tasted. Maybe I am super pissed and did not check the price before heading to the checkout. $34 for a 4-pack of cans!! Even Treehouse laughs at this! Trying to forget the price, I cracked into a can labeled 2021 and got ... WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE!!! This tastes exactly like a boozy sauce you'd slather on a steak.

I don't know where the green apple, carmel candy, etc. is but it sure ain't in here! I don't even know if I'd consider this beer. It tastes more like cough syrup. If you've ever had those little bottles of Underburg ... this is the exact taste you'll get. Bitter and herbal. I am seriously going to try this with a steak tonight now that I have 3 more of these to get rid of.

It leaves your mouth sticky. If this was labeled a mud puddle flavoured IPA, I would believe it. Save your hard earned money. This is absolute crap.

 

 

 

This is a cellar temp 16 oz can poured into my snifter. The beer pours a dark coffee black color with a tan fizzy head of 1.5cm foaming up from the pour. This head fades to a thin edge layer quickly after I finish pouring. One small island is getting replenished by actives streams of carbonation on the surface, but not enough action to keep it foamy.
Aroma is unsurprisingly some candied apple and green apple fruityness. But I also get some light char, bakers chocolate and brown sugar behind the apple notes. Definitely slightly boozy from the brandy barrels, but also kind of sweet.
Big nose for a big beer, seems fitting.
The first sip reveals a medium body with smooth sort of creamy texture and gentle carbonation.
Flavor is rich and fruity up front with apple notes and candy sugar, also a good dose of boozy and sweet brandy. I do get dark chocolate buried underneath this and some general roasted malt notes to. I dont get any of the spices that are mentioned on the label. The roasted note lingers a bit even though I get a bit of warming booze on the finish that also lingers. NO hint of hops anywhere in this beer and its a pretty drinkable imperial stout. I was worried it would be too sweet, but it is pretty much a perfect mix of flavors. Nice solid beer

 

 

 

No can date
Pours a dark brown rich creamy but smaller head, a little lacing, decent legs, inky dark black beer paints the glass

Nose brings a lot of apple, candied apple, apple brandy, candy syrup and toffee, a bit of mulling spices, apple cider, a little vanilla and buttery oak but not much, once I get past the apple there is roasted malt, char, some dark chocolate and cocoa, dark roasted biscuity baking spice malt characters

Taste is very rich, lots of dark malts up front, heavy roast but not burnt or acrid, lots of dark chocolate and even a little fudgey chocolate ganache, nougat, hint of baking spice, then more apple, apple cider, brandy, a smooth brandy character, a little vanilla and touch of toasted oak, light smooth alcohol, a little mulling spice as well, some bitterness but not a ton, little chocolate marshmallow late, mild sticky finish, hint more alcohol, fair roast and spices with candy apple lingering

Mouth is fuller bod but not syrupy, med foamy carb, a touch of warming alcohol

Overall nice, enjoyable stout with some nice candied apple, cider, and brandy, smooth alcohol, well done this time as it's not overly sweet syrupy candy pastry stout