B.A. Forge (Rye)
Foundation Brewing Company

 

Split?? with JLindros.

A - Poured into a Kate the Great tulip a nice dark brown almost black with a thick one finger mocha head that fades to leave light wisps and thin halo. Legs are decent.

S - Aromas of big fudgy chocolate and loads of rich rye whisky. As it warms the oak becomes a bit too assertive and borders on buttery almost chardonnay level oak.

T - Taste is similar to the nose with nice fudgy chocolate before lending way to a very soft, slightly sweeter rye whisky, The oak is pleasant and not as buttery on the nose, but the finish gets a bit bitter and acrid.

M - Mouthfeel is nicely carbonated, little creamy, alcohol hidden nicely.

O - Overall this was a solid enough imperial stout. The rye whisky was pleasant and well rounded as is the chocolate. The barrel was a bit hit or miss though.

Serving Type: Bottle

Picked up at the brewery last year at some point
Pours a darker colored foamy frothy 1/2 finger head, med-low retention, fair lacing, nice leg, jet black color

Nose brings plenty of whiskey, sharp rye whiskey, buttery oak barrel almost Chardonnay like barrel, toasted oak as well, spicy rye and fruity as well, then dark chocolate base stout, cocoa,

Taste brings more layers of buttery oak again, and again like Chardonnay oak, toasted oak, big spicy rye, some whiskey, dark chocolate cocoa, a touch of dark roasted malt, bit of lactose and malted milk ball, roast getting a touch acrid roast, fair alcohol warmth, a touch fudgey, but lots of rye whiskey, mild dry but sticky finish, buttery oak lingering with spicy fruity rye and cocoa getting a bit of a rough bitterness as well

Mouth is med to fuller bod, thick fudgey and a bit creamy, med fizzy carb, fair warming acohol

Overall mixed, nice base beer, rye whiskey was quite nice, oak was OK in the toasted oak but buttery oak was a little too much

Look is quite dark, almost black with a half finger tight bubbled head that slowly dissipates. Head reappears with agitation and is lacy on the glass.

Smell is subtle sweet barrel with rye notes, quite pleasant.

Taste is void of roasty flavors or any strong taste at first, It follows with the subtle barrel and rye, but it is weak. Not what I expected from the look of the pour or a 13.2% beer. Surprisingly with the lack of bold flavor, the ABV is well hidden. Mouthfeel is medium at best.

Overall a good beer, but with the initial dark and lacy pour I was hoping for more.

 

On tap at Novare