Inception Series #04 - Responsibly
Nebraska Brewing Company

 

the version they had at the brewery was chardonnay barrel aged, not brandy or cognac like other editions. cool quad, a very strong but enjoyable beer. this series of beers has been gnarly strong, boozy, hot, sweet, and huge, and this is absolutely a continuation of that trend. the quad itself is a little lighter in color and also in depth than many, not nearly as layered on the grain front, but i almost prefer the simpler base, still plenty rich and flavorful, because it allows the unique barrel to be showcased. the beer is sweet, grapey, and very woody, and it seems like the acid from the white wine brings out a lot of raisin and plum qualities from the grain base, very unique, very tasty. i would have thought a lighter flavored barrel like this might get lost in such a big beer, but it actually works really well, bringing out a whole range of cool flavors. this is surprisingly less yeast driven than i would expect a quad type to be, is seems the molasses and nuts and dried fruits in the base is all the flavor it needs, almost like a liquid trail mix. lots of oak here, especially in the finish, which is long and mellow. could stand more carbonation, especially for something thats supposed to be belgian, its very heavy. a crazy beer, never had one quite like it. i would love to try the brandy and cognac barrel editions as well!

 

 

 

1 pint, 0.9 fl oz. bottle - poured into a glass chalice:

Pours medium brown. A thin head immediately becomes a lasting island. Minimal lacing.

The smell is of brandy, oak with a spicy Beligian yeast strain.

The taste is of brandy, oak, candy, (honey) - sweet. Some oak dryness and peppery alcohol in the finish.

Pretty smooth. Medium body.

Brandy really stands out. A very sweet sipper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poured from 22oz bomber into Globe glass.

A. Pours 1 finger light tan colored head. Good retention. Moderate lacing. Color is a dark chestnut brown.

S. Belgian yeast, caramel, oak, pears, brown sugar, candi sugar, Big rich smell, a little bit of alcohol heat. Cognac gives the quad some barleywine characteristics.

T. Caramel, vanilla, light fruit, dark fruit, overall pretty sweet. Raisins, pears, dates, figs, quite a bit of candied fruit flavor. A bit of Belgian yeast on the back of the tongue. As it warms I get some rye flavors. Drinks a bit dryer as it warms.

M. Drinks pretty sweet, but finishes dry. Medium/full bodied. Medium carbonation.

O. Good beer. Cognac barrel aging detracts from a lot of the traditional quad flavors. Mellows out as you drink it. Pretty sophisticated flavors.

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to Todd for sharing this one. Served in a Hill Farmstead tulip.

A - Off-white foam settles to a thin collar, wisps, and a few tiny specks of lacing. Mostly transparent orange-brown body.

S - Lots of oak and alcohol, but only mild cognac flavor. The base quad isn't very sweet, with more of a bready, spicy Belgian yeast vibe to it. Some red fruits and licorice bite.

T - The taste has a bit more vinous cognac, but it's surprisingly restrained in sweetness on the whole. Bready malts, some red licorice and treacle, and a moderate oak presence. Some not entirely disguised alcohol bite in the finish.

M - Medium body, dry texture, moderate carbonation, and some warming alcohol. Pretty appropriate for the style.

D - Somewhat underwhelming compared to Sexy Betty, but not bad either. This was probably the midpoint of the cognac-barrel aged tasting in terms of enjoy-ability. There's a bit more cognac flavor here, but a lot more alcohol presence - perhaps let this one mellow out if you've got a bottle.