Barrel Aged Anniversary Ale XV
Real Ale Brewing Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a barrel Aged RIS, most likely their 15th anniversary ale that’s sat on some wood for a minute. It pours a dark, dark black, the color of espresso or a dark roast coffee. There’s hints of something similar to an aged Scotch ale—definite toasted coconut and a caramel sweetness on the aroma as well as some toffee and hard candies. The flavor has a mellow sweetness with a slight bourbon burn at the end of each taste.The toasted coconut comes through on the flavor as well. Utterly delicious. I loved every sip.

On tap at the hay merchant, typical stout looking brew kept a light ring around the edges with minimal lace. The nose is straight bourbon, some roasted malt and chocolate in the back but bourbon just dominates. This keg had to of been tapped very recently and it's apparent, the taste is chocolate and some burnt oak, not a lot of vanilla but the bourbon just comes right through. I love bourbon in all shapes so I'm enjoying but if you don't move on. The mouthfeel is a little heavier for being barrel aged and carbonation is moderate. Alcohol just singes the tip of your tongue and flows through. Overall I like this beer and I enjoyed the non BA as well. Great offering and I'm greatly enjoying it sorry for the shitty review i cant focus gd haha. Bourbon lovers unite.

On tap at Hay Merchant in Houston.

A: Pours an opaque black color. No light gets through at all. At first a one finger tan head forms with good retention initially. That eventually fades to leave a dense black liquid.
S: Oak barrels, slight char and smoke. The barrels are up front and center. Roasted malt and coffee. Enjoyable in the nose.
T: Oh ya, the barrels just take over. Oak, char, smoke. Roasted malts come through in the back end. The barrels are the hole show.
M/D: A full and viscous body. Low on the carbonation. Sticky and adhesive like. This is a really slow sipper, but an enjoyable one. Just not something I am coming back to again and again.

If you like a full on barrel character this is for you. I did enjoy this, but I usually like a little more rounded flavors with the barrels and the stout. Very much worth a try though.