Barrel Aged Black Solstice
FigLeaf Brewing

Had the 2018 barrel aged at the brewery. 15% ABV 30 IBU
I am not sure if I makes sense to add another BA beer just because it's a new year, correct me if I'm wrong!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pours pitch black with a small mocha colored head, utterly impervious to any light whatsoever. Huge chocolate aroma blasts you at first, then you pick up notes of molasses, vanilla, bourbon, faint coffee. Taste follows nose: bittersweet chocolate, big bourbon barrel presence, faint vanilla, tangy barrel juice, very dark roasted malts, and a bitter espresso finish. Fairly full bodied; thick, chewy mouthfeel. Overall this is a really good example of the style. Barrel aging is spot on, base beer is a little to roasted for my taste. Closest comparison for me would be Oskar Blues Barrel Aged Ten Fidy, which is awesome as well. Kudos to Fig Leaf for brewing this - very impressive for such a young brewery. Definitely worth buying a few. $12 / bottle, 101 bottles in Kent OH.

1/28/18
375 ml bottle - no date but I was told it came out recently.
4.5 rating

 

 

 

375 ml bottle, no dating on it that I could find but I think this was a late 2017 release. Served in a snifter, the beer pours dark brown/black with about an inch light brown head. Head retention and lacing are both good. Aroma is nice, the brew smells like roasted malt, vanilla, bourbon, chocolate, molasses, wood and earthiness. For the most part I think the taste is pretty much like the aroma, but there's also the addition of some anise and brown sugar flavors. Mouthfeel/body is medium/full, it's slick and smooth with a moderate amount of carbonation. I think it's a good barrel aged brew, hopefully I'll be able to try some of the other FigLeaf brews one day! $11.99 a bottle.