Bananaversary - Bourbon Barrel Aged
Other Half Brewing - Center Street

Fobab 2025. The 2025 edition.

 

Drank from a 1 pt. 0.9 fl. oz. bottle purchased on Tavour
2024 Vintage
Served in a tulip

The beer poured a super dense and oily looking, complete pitch black hue. A small, flimsy, mocha colored film rose above the body, but it quickly broke into a thin collar. There was no lacing whatsoever. As the liquid receded, a blanket of clear, fine sediment coated the glass.

The aroma was amazingly robust and complex. Rich caramel malt notes came through big time. Loads of sweet, boozy bourbon/barrel character as well. There was an intense brown sugar presence too. Good dose of maple. Fresh coconut was also quite apparent. Subtle vanilla notes were detectable as well. Crème brûlée came to mind. The wild Thai banana was unfortunately lost on me however.

The flavor profile was similar to the nose and nearly as impressive. Big caramel and roasted malt notes up front. Loads of brown sugar sweetness. Boozy bourbon/barrel notes came through strong as the beer moved along the palate. Nice dark chocolate quality in the center. Banana was noticeable here, but it was more subtle than I anticipated. Vanilla and/or crème brûlée was detectable too. More bourbon barrel and booziness on the back end and the finish. Hint of lingering roastiness.

The mouthfeel was amazing. It was super oily and dense. Completely full bodied for the style. The liquid contained a fine, moderate effervescence that turned creamy, frothy and slick on the palate. After a few sips, the sugars in the beer left a sticky film on my lips.

Bananaversary - Bourbon Barrel Aged is a fantastically complex and intense, barrel-forward pastry stout. With that said, I do wish the banana notes came through stronger. If I have the opportunity to try this again, I will definitely seek out a fresher bottle.

2023 bottle, enjoyed spring 2025.

This is all jet black syrup in the glass, with a banana flambé note and a thick, lingering finish. I’m not doing it justice with my notes here. Shared a bottle with a motley crew of conversationalists at the Rockefeller outpost one lovely May evening.

2025 12.5%

Peanut butter and bacon sandwiches and banana stouts don't sound good but goddamn those are two of my favorite things to put in my face.

Sticky, chocolatey, barreled goodness up front and then all those extras kick in at the end. Glorious, sweet bananas, bruleed brown sugar, toasted coconut, and just a nuts sprinkled in. The body is still, used motor oil. Loving this.

 

 

 

Acquired a 2023 bottle after volunteering at a festival held at Hopfly Brewing in Charlotte on 7-1-23 from one of the Other Half brewers.

Beer poured black as night with an okay tan head that dissipated right away.

Nose is a very nice combination of bananas, nuts, and vanilla.

Taste is outstanding! Huge roasted malt base combines beautifully with a very appropriate amount of banana adjunct giving it a subtle post-aspiration flavoring. Nuts and vanilla adjuncts are in appropriate amounts and are deftly weaved in. Bourbon barrel heat and flavor was definitely noticeable with the first sips but as i sip on the barrel lends a beautiful balance. Finishes with a small amount of sweetness but no way cloying.

Mouthfeel is near perfection as the banana puree adds a silky smoothness and heft to an already large feel.

Overall, i have to admit i did not think i would be a fan of this going into it but coming out i can totally appreciate the Other Half team effort!

09/16/24 bottle @ home

 

 

So... what do you ask for, for your birthday? If you're the other half, then you as for bananas. ...and bourbon. Other Half brewers really amp up their flagship imperial stout with extra banana, coconut, macadamia and vanilla. This thing is fit to be thai-ed.

Very dark brown, somewhat muddy in its pour, the puddin' dripping Bananaversary swoons the senses with a generous, savory and seductive scent of chocolate, vanilla, candied coconut, coffee, banana and caramel that all also translate to a lavishly sweet and savory early taste of chocolate bananas foster.

With the intense sweetness slathering the tastebuds like cake batter, the flavors of banana, caramel, chocolate, mocha and coconut ebb and flow through malt and fruit, to bourbon warmed nuances and finishing like a boozy after dinner elixir.

Full, creamy, plush and pleasantly cloying, this cleverly sculpted ale is delicious to taste, but hard to drink. Its best reserved for a few ounces per imbiber as much more than that would lead to diabetic shock.

 

 

 

 

Finally got my hands on Bananaversary from Other Half and it lives up to the hype. Banana bread, banana bread, banana bread. It brings back memories of the Goose Island Prop but on the sweeter side. It has all the flavors you want in a banana stout and is a boozy beast along the way. Very successful for a pastry forward BA.