Barrel Aged 20th Anniversary
Real Ale Brewing Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I want to give this a better grade but to me it seems like there are a few flavor undertones at war. It is a war from the Barrel and the Rye.
looks good, smells good, but I was expecting more from the flavor.

Overall it is not a bad beer at all, but sadly I would choose other barrel aged ales over this one.

A: Initially pours with a slightly chilled haze, that clears up after a few minutes. A copper/orange color. A dense, two finger white head forms, that eventually recedes to a bubbly ring. Light lace is left behind.
S: The barrel is up front and center. Wood and vanilla are most prevalent. Some sweet malts, baked bread, and grapefruit bitterness in the finish.
T: Again, the barrel is front and center. Maybe to much. Wood tannin and vanilla almost overpower. Then some sweet malts and baked bread. Even with the large barrel character, the rye malts still find their way through. A touch oxidized, with some resiny bitter grapefruit lingering.
M/O: A full body with moderate carbonation. Ultra, silky smooth, which is impressive. A big beer, with big barrel character. Though with the ultra smoothness, this is really easy to drink and come back to.

A big barrel character, and a big rye character is the name of the game here. I will say I like the fantastic hop balance with the superb rye malt of the base beer better. This is very much well made, that is similar to Boulevard Rye on Rye. Which is to say, very enjoyable, though basically a different style altogether than the base. That is saying something, but no bother. It is just all around enjoyable and cheers to Real Ale making more of the same in the next 20 years.