Crane
New Park Brewing

 

super impressive double mashed long boiled imperial stout aged in high end bourbon barrels, a lovely specimen and a top favorite from my visit here, which is saying something because these folks are making some wicked beers! looks like they do some variants of this too, seems well suited for that yes, but definitely is lovely on its own as well. frothy headed from the tap with a deep dark color, substantial viscosity, and high shine, looks quite a lot more lively than a lot of these ever do, especially from the barrel. the aroma and flavor run the same track, strong charred oak and coffee notes at first, more nuance later, leather and licorice and molasses, but its less sweet than many of its peers and keeps delivering even after the swallow on each sip, maple, espresso beans, vanilla, and even trace smoke. the quality of the bourbon is evident, and it adds a neat richness and even elegance to this. bitter though too from the roast, so its balanced, and its creamy and smooth feeling for its strength, cant believe its as strong as it is! it warms up really nicely, teases raisin and brown sugar, and finishes bready and grain forward along with all the roast. sexy and wintery, of elite quality, and i am sure the variants are equally impressive. i was stoked on new park, they have some great beers happening right now! cant wait to go back...