Bourbon Oak Black Perle
RJ Rockers Brewing Company

At the brewery during one of their Taste & Tour Thursday sessions. Served from tap into an RJ Rockers shaker. Poured a deep dark murky brown with a minimal off-white head. Maintained nice lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of roasted malt, slight bitter hop, wood, and alcohol. The flavor was of sweet malt, dark hops, slight roasted malt, wood, and subtle bourbon. It had a medium fell on the palate with low carbonation. Overall this was a pretty nice brew. Rockers definite upped the ante on their regular version of Black Perle with this variation. The woody and alcohol notes that were added to this one were QUITE enjoyable and took the beer to a whole new level. Wish Rockers would do more one-off batches like this in the future and maybe bottle some so word can get out.

Served on cask at The Thirsty Monk in Asheville as part of their Black Perle beer of the month kick off. Oak chips soaked in Maker's Mark. Pours a deep murky brown with frothy off white head that hangs around for most of the session. Smell is slightly hoppy with a touch of earthy, woody characteristics. Taste is a fresh hoppy begining followed with a wave of bourbon then slightly bitter finish. After you swallow comes the feeling of having just sipped a Maker's neat. Pretty interesting dynamic. Mouthfeel was lively as opposed to the more mellow cask ales I've had in the past. I wouldn't say the drinkability on this beer is the best part about it, but it certainly was one tastey brew!