Harrisonburg
Aslin Beer Company

 

 

 

Opened this beauty for my birthday, roughly a month before the year mark since its release. Second owner, fridge stored and shipped once to me, where it was control-stored at 55° for only a couple of additional days.

Motor oil pour, with almost zero rising carbonation. What does appear is brown in color and quick to recede into the flat abyss of this beer.

Literally a liquid peanut butter s'mores on the nose. Even at nearly a year out, nothing seems to be lost here. The marshmallow and chocolate are the most prevalent, rich and sweet and bursting out of the gate. The graham crackers give that touch of vanilla that really serves to emphasize the marshmallows more than anything else. The peanut butter hits you last, but it's such a crucial element and one that really is what makes Glamping true to its name and reputation. As it warms up to about 60°, the barrel really begins to come out and contrast with a beautiful rye spice.

The barrel really shines here on the palate. Rich, boozy brownie batter greets the palate first, contrasted perfectly by spicy, boozy rye whiskey. That distinct spiciness from the whiskey really helps pull out some of that graham cracker, bringing about notes of baking spices and vanilla. The vanilla is much more subdued than on the nose, however the entire time you sip, you get it throughout the experience.

The mouthfeel on this is fairly heavy-bodied, with a nearly indistinguishable carbonation that comes on slow and fades into the boozy warmth that you get on the tail. Full mouth-coating with each sip, leaving that same sticky finish that you'd be getting from an actual s'mores.

What I love most about this beer is the distinct contrast between the pastry nose and the expertly balanced barrel-heavy profile on the palate. It treads the perfect line, and there's no mistaking the adjuncts during any point. This beer was absolutely worth hunting down, and its nod to Harrisonburg and the colors of my Alma Mater make it even more special.

 

 

 

Start with opening a bottle -- graham cracker and peanut butter notes explode out, this nose is pure dessert.

Often, when the nose is this great on a pastry stout, the disappointment will happen on the taste. Not here. Add chocolate and marshmallow flavors to the still powerful graham and pb, and gently, subtly, wrap all of this with the most delicate notes of a rye barrel.

The 16.5% abv is never noticeable, and all the flavors work in concert. Could it be thicker? Sure, but then sweetness would overtake the flavors and likely ruin this gem. This drinks like a pastry stout with no sugars. Most pastry stouts are share bottles; you'll want a much bigger pour than an ounce here.

The pours a moderate dark brown head that dissipates at a moderate pace. Interestingly, there seems to be a bit of heft The beer itself is a dark milk chocolate black with dark brown hues at the edges. The texture appears to have a nice thickness to it.

The smell is very good and exactly like a damn smores. It has a strong honey graham cracker note that starts it all off and the cocoa note becomes stronger and sweeter as it warms up. The other notes seem to be completely consumed.

The taste is absolutely indulgent. It has a good mix of the different notes involved. The peanut butter is surprisingly subdued compared to other stouts using the same ingredient. The cocoa adds a sweetness to it that complements the peanut butter's more acidic notes. It is followed by a sweet honey graham cracker finish. The marshmallow is a sweet note that is there but is surprisingly not very present. The rye is surprisingly light and only comes in around the edges.

The fee is good. It has a heavy body and kind of a silty feel to it. You can definitely feel some of the adjuncts.

Overall, this was a fairly good beer and very well worth your time. It has a good balance between the notes and delicious.

 

 

 

 

 

500ml at home with Dan.