Ebenezer Ale, Bourbon-Barrel
BridgePort Brewing Co. / Brewpub

 

2008 vintage on draught at The Bier Stein in Eugene for their Christmas in July - yes, I'm a bit behind on posting my notes! Served in a Stella Artois goblet, Bourbon-Barrel Ebenezer is a mahogany brown with a small, creamy light sand head that leaves light lace.

Smell is heavy vanilla, sweet and phenolic.

Taste is very good, more depth then regular Ebenezer, but not to heavy on the bourbon or oak, just some vanilla, with light phenols. Smooth and very tasty.

Mouthfeel is nicely carbonated, on the lighter side.

Drinkability is very high, a delicious beer. Much better then regular Ebenezer, the judicious integration of the bourbon barrel character really suited a winter warmer such as this.

This 2004 vintage bourbon-barrel version of Bridgeport’s seasonal winter warmer was served cask-conditioned at the brewery’s Pearl District pub. The fragile, aerated head of a hand pumped pour was present. The body was perhaps a shade darker than the draught version, though similarly colored and clear.

I drank a pint of the draught followed immediately by a pint of the bourbon-barrel. Unlike the draught, the casked version was (thankfully) served at proper cellared temperature. Its body was also characteristically softer, more serene and less lacy, with a nudge more malt in the nose.

But the most compelling difference between the two versions was the intense profusion of bourbon flavor in the casked pour. Bourbon flavor is all over this beer. It achieves dominance while never being harshly aggressive. I happen to believe the bourbon profile makes a better compliment to a smokier beer such as a porter, but bourbon-barrel fans will find much to make them happy here. It’s a bit more festive than the draught Ebenezer.