Whiskey Malt
Barley Brown's Brewpub

 

 

I was excited to try this when I saw it on the menu, as I love smoked beers and I'm a whiskey aficianado as well. While the beer is somewhat interesting, it didn't really completely come together- it lacks that moreishness. Pours a dark amber, almost brown with a decent head. Smells lightly peaty, and with notes of some firm malt. Tastes a bit smokey and with some light piney notes. Dry, and a bit chewy in the mouth. The peatiness could certainly be intensified here- I was left looking for more.

22 oz. bottle gifted by BB Brewmaster Shawn Kelso, consumed at Summer 2010 Grillin' and Chillin' fest, The Big Oregon, 8.22.2010.

Two big fingers light tan head, ultra-slow dissipation, with significant lacing. Brownish amber body with red highlights, several streams of visible carbonation rising from bottom of glass. Nose is a bit bourbony, firm malt backbone, but not picking up the smoked malt in the nose nor much hoppiness, note though I have been sitting on this bottle for quite a while. Taste is malty, a bit of smoke in the middle but not very much, hops are faint and floral, not a lot of smokiness, actually quite balanced. Mouthfeel is a bit on the light side of medium, fairly dry finish. Good drinkability for the style. Not a big fan of this style, but this was quite tasty.

Look is a copper red, thing head

Smell is whiskey, wood, oak maybe, bourbon barrels

Taste, rye right up front, some smoke, best way i could describe it is a watered down whiskey over all, very enjoyable really.

mouth: very light for the abv

Drink very good, a good oakness is nice sometimes right?

Brewed with malted rye and smoked German malts, this ale then undergoes whiskey barrel conditioning. Despite this ambitious regimen, its taste is fairly routine. Its breathy, breadcrumb aroma gives way to gentle sweetness. The body is turbid rust-auburn with a creamy head that fades to a thin beige film. Smoked elements contribute light enhancements, but aren't defining. Neither is there any appreciable whiskey presence or notes of barrel-conditioned effects. The flavor, while pleasant enough, is otherwise dilute with some light toasted sweetness, flat, backdrop bittering, and a bland finish.

I asked the nice lady behind the bar for a short pour on this one as I normally don't really appreciate smoked beers... but this one was pretty darn nice.

amber/lite brown... very clear with a short lasting white head.

smoked malt is dominant in the nose... reminds me more of German Rauch malt than (what the name would make me think) peat smoked malt.

Flavor has a nice caramel element that helps tie the smokiness into the rest of the beer.... finish is lingering smokiness that sorta makes me think of bacon (always a good thing).

One of the locals said he thought this was aged in Scotch whiskey barrels.... I guess I sorta doubt it as I am getting really no wood and certainly no scotch.

I have to say... I certainly normally don't like smoked beers, but this was a bit of an eyeopener... subtle and very well restrained while still being pretty darn drinkable.