Bolero Brown
Jackie O's Taproom & Brewery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks, BC! 64oz growler into Darkness tulip. This one has been on my wants for some time, and I'm happy to finally be able to try it.

A - Pours a medium brownish color, slight red hue, cinnamon-colored head, thin ring, some wisps on top.

S - An excellent mix of burnt sugars, brandy, and oak. Just as I thought it was smell like...an amped up Brown Ale. The Brandy barrels really add a nice "oomph" and help balance out the sweetness.

T - Similar to the nose. Lots of burnt sugars, brandy, and oak. There's a touch of vanilla, caramel, and brown sugar in there as well. The alcohol is very well-hidden and the barrel notes really add to this beer. The finish is gram cracker and booze, yum.

M - Medium, good carbonation, creamy rich finish.

O - This one lived up to the hype for me and I'm so glad I was able to try it. I was told it will be a while for this to show up at Jackie O's again, so I feel very fortunate. Recommend.

Thanks to Sean for sharing this growler. I've had my eye on this one for a while. Served in a Hill Farmstead glass.

A - A finger of tan foam settles to a partial thin cap, thick collar, and a few spots of lace. Initially looks like a stout, but reveals some dark brown coloration under closer scrutiny.

S - Big molasses, brown sugar, caramel, milk chocolate, and some sweet brandy influence. Very sweet stuff, perhaps verging on cloying, but potent and quite enjoyable for the most part.

T- The taste reveals more of the base brown ale, with milk chocolate, nuts, caramel, vanilla, and mild roast character. Not as much of the brandy barrel presence here. I was told this batch is 13%, and it definitely tastes stronger than the 9.5% listed here, but it's still surprisingly smooth.

M - Medium-full body, creamy and smooth texture, lower carbonation, and shockingly well-hidden alcohol if it's really 13% Not much tannic barrel presence - I'm guessing brandy barrels are used a few times before they get sold to breweries.

D - Really enjoyable stuff, and very drinkable for the style and alcohol content. Perhaps a bit too sweet for mass quantities, but would definitely make a nice dessert pairing. Hard to peg the style - somewhere between Imperial Brown and Imperial Stout.