Iron Sharpens Iron
Jackie O's Taproom & Brewery

Poured from a 12.7 ounce bottle, the body was s a dark brown with no head and a small tan bubble ring at the edges. No lacing.

Aroma is bourbon barrel with notes of vanilla, caramel and oak.

Taste follows nose but everything is amped up. A bit more oak expressed than perceived from the aroma. The barrel is assertive but no burn. The sweet bourbon is the main featured taste, but the other characteristics are not buried. The ABV is deftly masked

Mouthfeel is good despite low carbonation. A comforting slick barrel coating.

A fantastic altbier that admittedly is the only barrel aged alt I have ever tried. Tip of the cap to Jackie O's and Good Word Brewing for this great collaboration. Bought on a whim, but now to buy more!
#114

 

375 ml bottle into a snifter. A 2023 release, had 5/21/25.

Pours a somewhat opaque dark amber color, with a half inch quickly dissipating head and sparse foamy lacing. Aromas of caramel, dark bread, oak, brown sugar as it warms, some bourbon and char, some vanilla and leather, a little fig. Similar flavors: bourbon, caramel, vanilla, oak, malt, brown sugar- again, as it warms, some dark bread, light raisin and leather. Smooth, a very good medium body, well carbonated.

Not sure I would identify this as an Altbier if the label and description didn’t say so, but it’s a really good beer. A good barrel presence, big caramel and oak notes. Really at its best fully warmed. Well worth the purchase.

 

 

 

Sludgey brown body with a beige ring. Toasted caramel, bourbon, and black strap molasses with touch of vanilla and cocoa. Taste has huge caramel with tootsie roll, bourbon, chocolate shavings, plum, and a touch of vanilla. Feel is malty and warm, super smooth, barrel character comes through nicely. This was a successful experiment of ba an altbier!

 

 

 

Released March 2023; drank 11/21/23 @ the Yarchives.

Opaque brown appearance.

An even pour yielded minimal khaki head; minimal lacing remained.

Cream soda, caramel, oak & dill notes in the nose.

Thick, creamy mouthfeel.

Cream soda, mild leather & mild caramel flavors; wood & bourbon heat emerged as this warmed.

Interesting & tasty; I'd have another!

 

Look - thick dark muddy water with fantastic white rimming and lacing
Smell and taste - woody oak, toffee, caramel, vanilla, dark bread
Feel - medium full body with a medium light slight fizz carb
Overall - outstanding and different

Big 'ol barrel aged altbiers, haven't come across many of those. Loving this one, rich toffee, lots of dried fruits that aren't overly sweet, light Moravian sugar cake, and lots 'n lots barrel. Rich booze, vanilla, and just a little oaky char. A really fun beer to try.

6/14/23, We made it to Jackie O's Public House! Anniversary trip, 2023

Leah wanted to try this one out of intrigue! It's a "double sticke"!!

It has a very distinct aroma, brown bread, maple sweet, slight nuttiness.

Very much had an alcohol burn. Sweet and malty, kind of like molasses brown bread soaked in bourbon, bourbon, bourbon!

Picked up a bottle from the J.O. Taproom 5-24-23 for $11.99. Collaboration with Good Word brewing, bottled in 2023; reviewed 6-3-23.

Beer poured dark brown with an okay off-white head.

Nose is giving notes of dark fruit, a slight touch of vanilla, and bourbon.

Taste is a large malt base that is dominated by toffee and raisons. Barrel presence is lovely and imparts a touch of vanilla and bourbon. Finishes very balanced with a touch of fruity sweetness.

Mouthfeel is medium to large bodied and very smooth.

Overall a delicious brew, glad i decided to pick up a bottle!