Evans Gate - Barrel Aged
Powderhaus Brewing Company

Review: 2413
Name: Evans Gate
Brewery: Powderhaus Brewing
Location: Garden City, ID
Style: Barrel Aged Scotch Stout
ABV: 11%
Canned: 11 Jan 2019
Date: 28 May 2025
I was working downtown Boise when I acquired this beer. I purchased several beers while shopping, but Evans Gate was the last beer from that trip. I know this beer is at least four, if not five, years old; it does not have a date. Peeling the wax from the bottle, all the wax came off in chunks. Prying the cap off, that lovely hiss of life emitted. Pouring the beer into the tulip glass did not create any head. The partial foam from that pour was medium tan with a reddish hue. The beer's color is dark mahogany with dark amber hues, charting at SRM 22, and semi-transparent.
Nosing the glass initially, I smell vanilla, caramel, toffee, earthiness, oak, and alcohol. Smelling the beer again, I notice bourbon, raisins, molasses, leather, dark roasted malts, light char, and a light floral note.
While sipping the beer, the dominant flavors are bourbon, with a heavy, malty sweetness, light char, caramel, and toffee. After a few more sips, I notice vanilla, light char, bready oak, earthiness, raisins, molasses, leather, peat, herbal, light floral, and a faint mineral note.
The beer's body is medium, and its carbonation is medium. The mouthfeel is smooth, and the finish is warm with some dryness.
Final Thoughts: I was truly hoping to fall in love with this beer, especially being from Idaho. However, the Imperial Scotch Ale fell flat in terms of flavor. I was yearning for a richer malt body, a deep caramel breadiness, and the luxurious essence of barrel aging. Unfortunately, my expectations were not met, making it difficult for me to rate this beer higher than 75%. I've had Scotch Ales that delivered exactly what I was looking for, particularly from The Bruery.

OK, I changed my Rating as this beer improves with warmth. Boozy peaty notes with a sweetness from the vanilla. 750ml bottle from brewery. Dark brown pour, tan airy head, leaves tiny ring. Aroma is smoky and sweet, possibly a bit too sweet, and plenty of booze. Taste picks up on the sweetness and vanilla to the detriment of the beer. Boozy flavors turn to medicine and acetone. Hard to pick up the bourbon or the peated malts. Lets see if gets better with warmth.

Really beautiful brew, on-tap in Nampa ID.

A: Appropriately flat-looking nearly-opaque brown with no head or lacing.

S: Rich malt upfront. Vanilla is there but even more so some molasses/brown sugar, caramel, and dark fruits. Underlying peaty earthiness and barrel/wood tones as well as the spirit character. Doesn't smell hot in the least, very nice nose that seems well-integrated.

T: More sweet on the palate; malty for sure with notes of wood, earth, bourbon and vanilla. Tasty, though not quite as complex as the nose.

MF: Smooth, slick, low-carbonation mouthfeel, full-bodied.

O: A winner in the BA category. The base beer is just fine on its own, though nothing special, and this is definitely a step up. The added vanilla is nice and not overpowering or cloying/artificial, and you don't lose the earthy/peat and faint hint of smokiness that reminds you its a Scotch Ale.