Strike - Bourbon Barrel-Aged Stock Ale
Cycle Brewing

Appearance: Pours espresso colored with a thin beige head that fades to a ringlet; dots dribble down the glass

Smell: Caramel and dark fruit tones, with Bourbon infused

Taste: Fig and caramel forward, with the Bourbon building; quite boozy, after the swallow, with vanilla sweetened caramel in the finish

Mouthfeel: Full bodied with low to moderate carbonation; warmth in the gullet

Overall: A bit too sweet for my palate but it has been a while since I have had a malty Old Ale

Cycle race, part 2. Very dark brown, nearly black, tiny bit of brown foam. Smells bourbonny, caramel. Pretty sharp alcoholic, but nice thickness. Taste is bourbon, malts, dried fruit and some peanutnutter somehow? Bit underwhelming, but tasty nonetheless.

Forgot to rate when I had it. Special Tap Event at the Brew Hub Taproom - St. Louis, 02/01/2020.

Lots of dark fruit on the nose. Palate more complex and influenced by the barrel. Caramel & toffee really emerge, mild oak. Malt character on the backbone holds it together. Very solid.

Dark as coal body; thick and creamy light tan head. Marvelous smell combining cocoa powder, mild grain char and firewood ash; very light suggestion of whiskey. The taste mirrors the aroma; the whiskey comes across more boldly yet not overbearing; cocoa and vanilla. Heavy body; smooth and velvety; strong residual sugar presence; boozy heat.

This a fine, smooth and boozy dark ale wonder. It delivers a beautiful head for such a high ABV beer and has flavor and mouthfeel that makes this a tasty, sensuous beer treat.

04/28/20 bottle @ home

 

 

 

 

Very dark brown speckled body with a tan head. Oak, bourbon, a touch of rye, chocolate, and toasted caramel aromas, barrel character is very pronounced, which is good for the style though very boozy. Taste is lush and heavy with all the flavors from the smell, plus some molasses, leather, and char. Again the barrel leads, the bourbon drives all the way to the finish, but more balanced than nose. Body is thick, chewy, heavy, boozy, and warm.