Boreal
Tilted Barn Brewery

Despite visiting the brewery twice, this is my first time actually reviewing a beer from Tilted Barn, ironically one I did not pick up on a trip to the brewery. I’ve had mostly low abv classic styles feom them so far, so it should be interesting to see how they handle a a barrel aged Stout. Let’s het into it

Pours completely pitch black with a finger of creamy tan head that quickly fades to a ring and leaves minimal lacing

The bourbon is super evident in the nose, a bit aggressive but I dig it. I’m picking up on aromas of sweet bourbon, burnt caramel, molasses, milk chocolate, brown sugar, black cherry, vanilla ice cream, light cinnamon, and toasted oak

Unfortunately in taste it’s just a bit too boozy. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting sweet bourbon, milk chocolate, brown sugar, molasses, burnt caramel, toasted oak, vanilla ice cream, and light roast coffee. The swallow brings notes of sweet bourbon, medium roast coffee, brown sugar, toasted oak, molasses, fig, vanilla bean, burnt caramel, and milk chocolate

A medium body pairs with gentle carbonation, resulting in a slick beer. Finishes mostly dry and airy

While it’s a bit sweet and boozy, it doesn’t hold it back that much

 

I am sampling a 2025 vintage bottle of this beer, purchased at the brewery about 3 weeks ago. 500 ml bottle with some serious blue wax on the cap. I am pouring at slightly chilled temperature into my snifter. The beer pours a black coffee color and no light passes through my glass.
A dense creamy tan head of 2 cm foams up and remains as a 0.5 cm covering throughout the sampling. I also get tight lattice when I sip the beer or swirl my glass. Looks very nice!
Aroma is dark chocolate, roasted malt, some charred wood and mild bourbon. I also get some earthy cinnamon and some toasted dark bread. Some fusol booze is also present, but no hop character is to be found here.
First sip reveals a medium to lighter body with smooth texture and very fine and soft carbonation. Beer drinks pretty easy on the physical traits.
Flavor is similar to the nose, still not much sweetness, with roasted malt and some dark chocolate, hints of coffee grounds , bourbon hits, but not sweet or vanilla notes. I also get a little warming booze on the finish. Never any hop character on this beer. The roasted notes and dark chocolate are carrying the day for certain. Not quite as much bourbon as the nose let on. Im enjoying this imperial stout after a long day at Hershey Park. Id buy another bottle if it was available.

 

 

 

Just too thin for a stout.