The Gift That Keeps On Giving
Mirror Twin Brewing

Poured from a bomber at a friends house. Beer was a slightly murky red - any bubbles that formed during the pour quickly dissipated leaving the beer with a still look about it.

This beer was definitely barrel aged... that's about all I could smell aside from some subtle bread and malt notes.

Unfortunately, this beer tasted worse than it's nose insofar that any hints of malt were quickly dashed by an overwhelming barrel character. Literally tasted like a boilermaker (dumping a shot of whiskey into a shitty domestic beer). Boozy, and lacking any depth.

Mouthfeel was really depressing too, just thin thin thin plus ethanol vaporization.

I did finish my ~4 oz sample...but that was only because I did not want to offend my host. This beer completely lacked any character other than booze and barrel. If you like whiskey and not beer, this may be for you.

Whether its the flavor or the effects of the alcohol, Mirror Twin's one-year anniversary beer makes sure you remember the occasion with a gift that certainly keeps on giving- a massive red ale that takes on American barleywine proportions but then softened and spiced by the extended age in bourbon barrels because, well... that's what you do when you're in Kentucky.

The Gift That Keeps On Giving pours a deep crimson, nearly brown color and trickled with a heavy lace. Whisky, oak, pine, citrus and toast rise to greet the nose while its first sip is sweet with caramel, light toffee, nutty pecan and an overall medium toasted flavor.

As the malts roll across the middle palate, the intensity of sweetness begins to relax and the hops slowly grow. A citrus, spice and alcohol presence brings a curaçao liquor flavor to follow up the toasty, nutty remnants. Peppery in bitterness and booze. Woodsy and with a mild cinnamon kick late, the finish is laced with the wonderfull coconut, caramel and vanilla nuances of Four Roses bourbon barrels.

Full in body but on a subtle drying track, the receding nature of malt allows the hops to dry the ale and project its piney and moderately resinous bitterness in the beer's waning moments. A long aftertaste of bitter whisky, toast and nuttiness continue past the linger of sweetness and barrel.