Dark Charge - 23 Year Bourbon Maple Barrel-Aged
Braxton Brewing Company - Braxton Covington

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If deep, dark and roasty is your game, then look no further than Braxton'e Dark Charge series. The 23 Year Old Bourbon Maple Barrel Aged version of the beer celebrates all-thing-roast to a high degree along with those long tannic flavors and on a surprisingly moderate body.

Premierely black and pouring with an onyx-like sheen, the sultry stout quickly sheds its roasty scent. Deep espresso, smoldering embers, smoky chocolate, roasting walnut and burnt sugars roll onto the senses with a highly robust character. Moderately sweet, the taste of roasted malts deliver on those coffee, chocolate and nutty promises early on the palate.

And here comes the barrel! As the malt sweetess slowly retreats and the arid roast projects, they reign in the complexities of the bourbon barrels and all their oaky, tannic, caramel, vanilla and coconut nuance. Softening the brunt of smoke and roast, the barrels smooth whisky notes bring a spiciness but also a powder-soft texture that's massaged by the maple additions that reveal themselves late.

Full bodied but trending drying because of the powder char of roasted grain and the natural drying character of extended age oak. Even the bourbon alcohols bring their own drying capabilities as the finish is filled with grilled dark fruit, bourbon and a smoky spiciness that lingers deep and long in aftertaste.