Two Wheelin'
Innovation Brewing

 

When life gives your bourbon barrels, then, it's like they say... make imperial stout! And that's just what Innovation Brewing did as they pile on a ton of roasted grains to a savory, spicy and sweet stout that not only stands up to Woodford Reserve bourbon barrels but gives them a new life that they never knew they had.

Dense and black, the pour has the visual density of tar. Inky, rich and somewhat of cake batter, the beer releases a rich mocha froth that eventually succumbs to the beer's oaken influence. Campfire roast, smoldering embers and turkish coffee flood the nose with savory scorched scents and a bold suggestion of dark, vinous fruit. Whisky spice tingles the nose just before a robust taste of molasses, brown sugar and sorghum coat the mouth with savory malt sweetness.

As the ale warms and saturates the middle palate fully, its lavish roasted malts continue to sooth a burnt taste with robust sweetness until the very end. In its wake, additional flavors of dark roast coffee comes with bittersweet chocolate, black walnut and a strong woodsy bitterness. Late impressions of plum, red grape and blackberry trend wine-like until the bourbon influence brings its own char, nuttiness, light coconut and vanilla for extra measure.

Unquestionably full, robust and dense, the beer's brownie batter viscosity extends into a deep, spicy and roasty finish wiht an aftertaste that extends into the next sip like fortified wines, coffee liquor and fine desserts. A prickle of bourbon heeds caution and renders this beer to a slow and sipping affair that's perfect for camping trips and barbecue.

22 oz bottle, dated 6/23/17. I bought this in April of 2018.
Pours deep and dark, with fine bubbles of mocha head of about 1/3”.
The nose is licorice, burnt coffee and oak.
Dark chocolate, espresso, vanilla, oaky wood, caramel, plums and an overall richness.
Unfortunately, a thinner body led to a lower score in the feel department. Zero burn.