Big Burty
Ethereal Brewing

Burton meets barleywine when Ethereal and West Sixth brewers get together for a collaboration that celebrates IPA, oak aging and strong stock ale in the same glass.

Pouring handsomely with an amber-chestnut hue, the lightly hazy ale releases a dainty and creamy ivory froth along with a host of toasty, malty, fruity, earthy, spicy and woodsy perfume akin to freshly hung tobacco. Sweetness first greets the tongue with notions of toffee, caramel and candied nuttiness in a full malt display.

Citrusy hops arise on the middle palate where flavors of grapefruit and orange mingle with the relaxing sweetness for a candied fruit flavor before diving into a woodsy, herbal and grassy taste for bitterness and balance. Fresh oak nuances add a caramelized sweetness with a drying backbone to pave the way for the spicy and herbal hops to bring a peppery, resinous and fruity bitterness to the finish.

Full bodied but drying to favor the hops, oak tannins, bitterness and alcohol spice lead the charge for a botanical gin-like finish that extends long into the next sip.