Stage Road
Three Notch'd Brewing Co. (Craft Kitchen & Brewery)

 

A really well done barrel aged wee heavy. So many times they come off too boozy and one dimensional, highly recommend this one, malty with notes of chocolate and vanilla and well balanced

L: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had a brown color with ruby tints and a hazy consistency. There was a half inch of foamy, fairly long-lasting head. Very sparse lacing, though.

S: An enticing aroma of hops, caramel, dark fruit, and malt.

T: Tasted of some pronounced caramel notes, a bit of malt (not too much), lots of hops, a decent shot of dark fruit (raisins, in particular), and a hint of vanilla. This is a an incredibly likable, forceful flavor. Quite complex, with a focus on the hops and caramel elements.

F: A good amount of carbonation with a smooth finish. Medium-bodied.

O: One of the more interesting American Scotch Ales I've tried. Very much a drinkable beer.

 

 

Bottle:
Pours very clear brown - almost more like an English brown than a Wee Heavy. There is a little amber hue at the edges. Head quickly recedes to the edge but does stay there in a medium rim. No lasting lacing.

Nose has a hint of raisin with the barrel influence, giving a bourbon-soaked raisin impression. Not much malt to add "bread" to that description. Tobacco (pipe) and earthiness with a light vanilla accent.

Taste is similar, with a little lean on the fresh tobacco, almost leaning towards weathered leather. Raisin to prune, vanilla adding a sweetness to the splash of bourbon taste. Pretty thin beer where I feel there should be a little more body. Flavors are nice but seem to lack depth and staying power, as they dance with my taste buds and then exit the scene quickly.

I ended up enjoying this well enough. The whole to me was slightly more than the sum of the parts, but I expect it'll be different for each of you.