Heavy Hearted Amber - Barrel Aged
Zaftig Brewing Co.

Description: Ruby/amber color with little to no head, at least when served in a snifter, and pretty clear. Smell is wood, bourbon, vanilla and a tartness, almost like red wine. The flavor follows the smell profile: it's rich, flavorful and complex. The booze is not overwhelming and neither is the tartness as it's well balanced. Feel is about what you'd expect from a brown or strong ale. Medium to heavy with little carbonation.

Overall: 4.25 (This beer is good and I would likely drink it again) This is the first beer I've had from Zaftig and I was duly impressed. The flavor profile was complex and everything seemed to play nicely together. Also, unlike some other brewers that immediately jack up the cost of anything in a bourbon barrel, this is reasonably priced both in bottles and on draft.

12 ounce bottle, Batch #119 (bottled in 2017). Not sure what kind of barrels these were aged in but I'm assuming they were Middle West Spirits OYO ones since Zaftig has used their barrels in the past. Served in a Zaftig snifter, the beer pours a dark reddish/amber color with about an inch light tan head. Head retention and lacing are both decent enough. I like the aroma, the brew smells like whiskey, vanilla, brown sugar, caramel, dark bread and stone fruit. For the most part I think the taste is pretty much like the aroma, but with the addition of some nuts, raisins, earthiness and a bit of citrus flavor. Mouthfeel/body is medium/full, it's slick and a bit creamy with a moderate amount of carbonation. I bought this yesterday so I didn't have a chance to drink it fresher, but I don't think the age has hurt this at all. Certainly worth buying, I know I'd like to try this one again soon! $4.99 a bottle.