Barrel-Aged Fireside Krampus (2023)
Old Irving Brewing Co.

16 ounce can into a snifter. Canned 11/23?/23, had 4/24/25.

Pours near black and opaque, with a quarter inch quickly dissipating head and a few specks of cling. Aromas of chocolate, bourbon, vanilla, roasted malt, some oak and char, some marshmallow. Similar flavors: bourbon, chocolate, roasted malt, some vanilla, light marshmallow and oak. It’s a bit sweet, and more so as it warms. Smooth, lightly creamy, a solid full body, appropriately carbonated.

Great aroma and a really good flavor, but the vanilla and marshmallow are less impactful in the flavor; and the high level of sweetness was a slight negative. Has a tasty barrel presence and the typically solid Krampus full body. Very enjoyable.

Had on tap. Like the rye it looks great with pitch black body and a full sudsy finger of brown foam. Nose is similar with sweet chocolate and vanilla meeting bourbon barrel. Taste has a heightened marshmallow note and chocolate is more fudgy, but the barrels here are the star with robust and refined options swirled in. Feel is more malty and smooth than deep though, barrels still shown off but the sweetness cuts how deep you can explore. My least favorite of the variants in 23, and yet this is still an excellent dessert stout. Well done OI!