Brandy Barrel Queen's Knickers
Bluegrass Brewing Co. - East St. Matthew's

 

 

Poured from a growler into a Cigar City snifter.

It pours a brilliantly clear chestnut brown with some ruby highlights. Bubbles rise to the surface as the carbonation is released but no real head forms. After about 10 seconds the beer looks pretty lifeless in the glass.

The nose is distinctly sweet brandy but not overpowering or boozy as any other brandy barrel beer I've had; it's more subtle and inviting. That's really all I'm picking up but it's really nice.

The taste is really interesting. Much like the nose the brandy is front and center but still restrained in terms of overwhelming the palette. I'm guessing this didn't spend too much time in the barrel. It's sweet with some caramel notes but for the strength it isn't too sweet and with barely an alcohol note. I really enjoyed this beer.

The mouthfeel is my only problem with this beer, it's a bit thin and watery for my liking. The carbonation is on the low side but I'm alright with that due to the style. Drinkability is good for the strength, barely detectable alcohol at 12%. I could easily drink a few snifters of this.

Pours a very pretty light brown/copper color- like beery iced tea with a light foamy ring of tannish head.
Smell is caramel syrup on the front with some malt sweetness on the back end.
Taste isvery sweet through and through- much like drinking syrup- almost barley wine esc syrup malt taste- brandy on the very back end.
Finish is really the best part- a long lasting brandy finish- like I should be drinking this out of a snifter and commenting that this year was a good year.
Drinks dangerously- a small bite here for those that can't handle the light brandy taste-otherwise extremely smooth.

On tap at the Cleveland Beer Week's flagship event, Brewzilla. I spent at least half of my tickets on this, beer of the night, hands-down! Also got to try more at the Beer Engine last night. Great beer!!

Looks great - nice reddish brown with white head. Seriously, this is a pretty beer.

Smell is amazing. I could smell the brandy across the table when this glass was brought over. Caramel malt, barley, brandy, and a touch of pine.

Taste is incredible. Just a touch of brandy warmth fades into a complex mix of toasted malt and fruit. Toasted coconut makes an appearance. Sweetness that follows is absolutely perfect. Brandy serves as a perfect bookend to a great base beer. Almost has an apple cider aftertaste.

Mouthfeel was good. A bit hot but the brandy kicks in. Carb is also a smidge too high, but well done.

Drinkability would be a 5 if it didn't beat down my palatte over the course of a snifter.

64oz. growler filled at Party Town for $10. And it's 12%. Pretty sure this is store only. Poured into a GLBC snifter.

Pours deep woody copper. Good sized head on a somewhat rough pour. Good, thick retention and nice lacing. The Brandy is a bit weaker than the wood, somewhat subtle overall but pleasant. Rich woody and earthy aromas. Some rich malts in the back. The Brandy is at a good level, not too strong but flavorful. More of the woody and earthy notes as well as a bit of peat? More of the somewhat sweet, rich malts, aged nicely and blended with the barrels. Body is medium to medium full and smooth as hell. Drinks very very easy for 12%... I'd guess it at maybe 8%? Another tasty brew from BBC.

This, along with there Bourbon Barrel Oatmeal Stout(also new), doesn't seem to have been left in the barrel very long. I think it definitely works with this brew, maybe because the Brandy can be a bit overpowering, but I hope they decide to keep their Bourbon offerings in the barrel a bit longer... if that's is the reason the BA Oatmeal was a bit weak on the Bourbon and light on the wood.

Keep the barrels rollin', BBC!