Barrel Aged Koopa
Transient Artisan Ales

 

A - Pours midnight black with a thin tan head. Light amount of soapy lacing.

S - Aroma is huge peanut butter with some milk chocolate.

T - The taste is peanut butter, milk chocolate, coffee, vanilla and some bourbon barrel heat.

M - Medium body with medium carbonation. Creamy mouthfeel with a slick dry finish.

O - Really solid peanut butter stout.

Dinged on feel and look because a big sludge ball of some sort (maybe peanut oil) came out on the last pour of the bottle.

Nose is crushed peanuts, chocolate iced cream, and vanilla. Taste is literally peanut butter cup chocolate iced cream. No overwhelming alcohol notes despite ABV. One of the best sweet dessert stouts I’ve ever had. Would gladly drink again.

 

These guys do really good barrel aged stouts, so when I saw this and a second one they did with the Open Bottle, I had to buy them. They are usually very adjunct forward, but it’s not in an obnoxious fashion. This one smells like liquid Nutella, and it is damn strong. But the flavor presents only a mild peanut flavor, slight chocolate, and a sharp bourbon barrel background. Slightly oily thickness, medium bodied, and boozy. Very enjoyable.

2021 Vintage. Received from @fbarber in the NBS BIF #14. Poured into a stout glass. It pours a dark walnut - almost black - with a large, fizzing, medium-mocha colored cap and thin film of lacing. It's very attractive. I immediately smelled the roasted peanuts; the smell is strong but pleasing. The barrel smell is well in the background. I can also detect the aroma of chocolate and vanilla. The roasted peanut is strong in the flavor, as well, along with the chocolate. It evokes a Snickers bar. What's really intriguing is the effect of the Weller's bourbon barrels. It's very very smooth and subtle and works really well with the nutty chocolate. There is a hint of bitter bakers chocolate at the finish. The mouth feel is creamy but not especially thick and chewy. It's moderately carbonated and drinks below the 13.5% ABV. It isn't overly boozy. Overall, if you enjoy a good peanut butter stout as I do, then you should seek out Barrel Aged Koopa. Conversely, if peanuts aren't your thing, then you might find it over the top.

2021-11-26
500ml bottle served in a little Georgetown sample glass. 2021 vintage. Received from @FBarber in NBS BIF #14.

Pours black with a medium sized ring of head -- more foam than I would expect on a barrel aged stout. Smell is super nutty. Peanut butter, chocolate, vanilla. Slightly boozy.

Taste is roasted peanuts, toasted peanuts. Coffee more than chocolate. Strong vanilla presence. Bourbon is there, too, almost a charred wood kind of vibe in the background.

Mouthfeel is luscious and velvety. Overall, very good beer.

Poured from fridge temp. Nice hiss as the cap came off. Pours pitch black with nice brown head that recedes quickly. The first impression on the nose is PEANUT BUTTER! Wow - super intense on the nose. Graham cracker, slightly burnt toast, fudge, and a touch of oak. Not really getting the typical bourbon notes on the nose. This makes me really interested to how it will taste!

Taste: Wow. This one is so unique. Intense roasted peanuts, but not as intense as on the nose. I am a huge fan of roasted peanuts, so this is right up my alley! Also getting nice notes of chocolate, burnt toffee, roasted malts, leather, damp wood, and almost a steak-like taste. Meaty. Not a lot of barrel coming through. I just find this one so interesting - I keep getting excited to take another sip.

Mouthfeel and overall: Super thick and creamy mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very interesting and lovely BA stout. If you like roasted peanuts, this is the one for you!