Black Rye Bock (Laphroaig Barrel)
Glacier Brewhouse

incredible beer from an unsuspecting brewery, maybe my own ignorance, but i didnt expect it. really cool stuff, a black rye bock aged in assertive scotch barrels, so much character here i was blown away. looks almost nitro poured, super creamy tan head on a matte black base beer, no crazy viscosity or anything, surprisingly low alcohol for a barrel aged brew, neat on so many levels but looks lovely and creamy. the nose is deeply roasty from the grain, coffee notes to it, smoke too, but its the peaty scotch i get the most of, old wet oak too, mossy earthiness, iodine and mulch, so weird, so complex, and the rye spice in the malt bill comes out too, dry for what it is, slightly yeasty maybe, a lager strain poking through. the flavor is amazing, definitely driven by the barrel, intense character from it, some bitterness, unmistakable scotch smokiness and peat, even brine, but this is grounded and malty and tidy, seemingly long lagered, and the rye is the perfect bridge between the base beer and the barrel, i love the roast on this too, almost an irish stout profile to the grain, and its light bodied for how frothy and smooth it is, lively feeling, or lively enough anyway, all elements come together incredible well, and this ends up being a totally wow beer, even an early beer of the year candidate for me so far, its certainly in the conversation. super cool, some of the most scotch forward beer ive ever tasted! these guys must have a line on laphroaig barrels, several listed beers here aged in them, so cool!