Moozie (Barrel-aged)
Brink Brewing Co.

Bourbon-barrel aved milk stout. Poured from a bottle into a Founders tulip. The pour is very dark, not quite black, and sports a rather thin head that dissipates quickly. The nose is delightful. I get some toasted oak, toffee, cocoa, vanilla, and poundcake.

Medium-full body with a firm feel and a rich flavor. Quite sweet up front. Vanilla, toffee, milk chocolate, and toasted malt. At mid-palate there is a distinct boozy bourbon flavor. It's not overly sharp, but it is easy to recognize as it seeps into the profile. The finish is warm and sticky with notes of toffee, rum, and brown sugar.

Overall, an excellent beer, but not one without flaws. The barrel and bourbon notes overpower the roastiness, so the beer tends a bit towards the sweet side (but it's not at all overly sweet). Recently I had an opportunity to try a milk stout from Alexandria Brewing (Alexandria, KY) called "Double Murk". It sort of redefined for me what a great milk stout should be - and it wasn't barrel-aged. The thing about that beer that hooked me was the combination of heavy roast and creamy feel that made the beer seem sweet without actually tasting sweet. After having that beer, I wonder what this one would taste like sans barrel-aging. I bet it's exceptional and that some of its charm may have been lost to "the treatment".