Barrel-Aged Krampus in the Buff
Old Irving Brewing Co.

14% abv. Released 11/22/22. Poured at 54°. Jet black body with ruby edges; fizzy tight mocha tan head that fizzled out quickly; no cap retention, thin ring at best; some small spots of lace upon agitation; no legs on swirl. Strong bourbon nose; notes of oak with warming. Sweet bourbon entry, milk chocolate, hot and boozy; caramel; oaky vanilla as beer warms; sweet dark fruit - raisins; bourbon finish. Silky smooth feel, full minus body; not adjuncty; alcohol bite on sides of tongue; full on mouth warmth from 14% abv; dry barrel tongue coating. Overall, a bit bourbon hot, but I like it!; straight up barrel and base flavor with no adjuncts added; balanced well enough between bourbon and base, but leans a bit sweet.

Pulled straight from the cold box/snowbank, a 16 oz. can (no visible horns on it). I’ve really enjoyed the other two versions I’ve had, so eager to get to sample it in the nude.

Black black & one would have to rig up the hunting waders to find much in the way of bubbles. The nose if bourbon, oak, & cocoa, in that order.

Krampus in the Buff – Barrel Aged has layers…of bourbon. I’m no afficionado but it’s much more nuanced & deep that your average straight-up barrel aged stout. Booze hits right under the breastbone & there’s rich chocolate & vibrant oak along for the ride. Lots of sweetness & mild roast ride this to the finish. It’s taken me a while to get towards done, but I’ll do it.

Old Irving know Krampus. Raw. Excellent.

16 ounce can into a snifter. A 2022 release, had 3/3/23.

Pours near black and opaque, with no head and light specks of cling. Aromas of malt, chocolate, bourbon, oak, char, vanilla, cocoa. Mostly similar flavors: bourbon, chocolate, malt, oak, vanilla, light raisins. Has a light sweet note. Smooth, a solid full body, appropriately carbonated.

Has a strong barrel presence, expressive aromas and flavors, a little sweeter than expected. As good as any of the other Krampus releases for 2022.

RFOB22 0425

Released 11/22/22; drank 1/29/23 @ the Yarchives.

Black appearance.

A rough pour yielded a nice, noisy tan head; no lace.

Oak, cream, dark chocolate & bourbon notes in the nose.

Thick, sticky mouthfeel.

Sweet cherry, cream, dark chocolate& bourbon flavors.

Much better than all the jazzed-up pastry versions; I'd have this again!

Pours pitch black, completely opaque, and viscous. Thin mocha colored head forms on the beer before quickly dissipating leaving no residual head. Aroma is predominately bourbon and oak. Underneath that are notes of roasted malts, chocolate, maple, and some vanilla.

Taste follows the nose with notes of bourbon, oak, chocolate, maple, vanilla, all layered in roasted malts and caramel. It is sweet, but not overly so. The bourbon provides a bit of heat, but pleasantly so. Feel is medium to fuller bodied. Moderate carbonation with a slight sprightliness. Dry finish.

Overall this is a cool beer - Krampus is generally released with at least some adjuncts - so to get a chance to try the base version in the buff (sans adjuncts). It is a very nice imperial milk stout and the barrel aging is well done for a delicious beer.

This...beer...is...awesome...

Deep..rich..dark..evil looking...huge..

A milk stout it is not....an Imperial Milk Stout is what the can says but this is some sort of Darth Vader beer that lures you to the Dark Side...

Aged in a variety of bourbon barrels from different distilleries....

A touch of sweetness like a duck fat caramel from Olive and Sinclair in Nashville... oak and brown sugar...bourbon and rich deep chocolate....this is fantastic...

A punch in the face from the sheer magnitude of the roasted malts and bourbon barrels... I like that the sweetness right at the beginning is squashed by barrel...

Big...bold...delicious...

World class offering right here...