Quiet Giant - Double Barrel-Aged - Bourbon And Brandy
Imperial Oak Brewing

12 ounce can into a snifter. Released 6/1/19, had 2/8/20. Also had on tap at release.

Pours dark brown and opaque, with a half inch foamy head and sparse specks of cling. Aromas of bourbon, chocolate, oak, brandy, grapes, roasted malt, raisins, char, some port, light tobacco and molasses. The flavor starts with a little stronger brandy, then, bourbon, malt, chocolate, raisins, vanilla, oak, grapes, some port. Smooth, a very good full body, well carbonated.

Great barrels that give this complex and layered aromas and flavors. Really enjoyable.

Thanks to C.O for this 12 oz. can as I try desperately to get to the bottom of my fantasy baseball boxes before the last one arrives.

The pour is like the underside of a blindfold with the minimal head typical of a big stout. The nose is awash in fruity booze.

Quiet Giant 2019 – Double Barrel Aged is a confusing beer. Double barrel, it says. Port bourbon and brandy, it says. That’s three. Unless it was a port bourbon barrel? The brewer’s web site says nothing about port. Anyways. Serious brandy. Fruity, boozy, & I’d swear, with a touch of port. Plus alcohol. No beer, no bourbon; actually burns a touch going down. Sticky. Dangerously drinkable, but the readily apparent booze is a solid YIELD sign.

There’s light beer, why not light brandy? Should be served in a four ounce snifter. Very good…beer?

 

 

 

 

Had on tap. Talking to people at the anniversary lots thought this was the best variant. Couldn't disagree more, thought it as the messiest of the five, though all were good. Up front is the port/bourbon barrel and the underlying stout flavors, chocolate, vanilla, slight coffee, and dark fruit, but then the tidal wave of overly sweet brandy crashes upon it, really bringing out the port and exposing the bourbon aspects to burn. All together the flavors resolve well, but that middle falls apart a little in the taste before rallying behind the sweeter aspects of the barrels. The smell however, where you can pick things out separately is very pleasant. Feel is very boozy, including some burn, otherwise smooth and cool.