Wooden Chaos
Barley Brown's Brewpub

This was a special gift to jdense from Shawn Kelso of Barley Brown's for a BA tasting at hannot's house. This is a version of Chaos (imperial cascadian dark ale) hand bottled with a shard of Stranahans Colorado Whiskey barrel included. Pours a deeep black with minimal carbonation. The nose maintains the 5.0 status of the original Chaos but is even more complex with some whiskey. AMAZING! The taste is truly exceptional. Regular Chaos is as crushing a hoppy beer as you could ever have and be pleasant, and this version is balanced by some wood flavors and a hint of whiskey. Minimal alcohol presence for upwards of 10%. Finish lingers and the mouthfeel is medium-heavy, and exceptionally smooth. Just an outrageous beer that I feel very lucky to have tasted.

22 oz. bottle 2008 vintage (!) gifted by Brewmaster Shawn Kelso for hannont's pre-Fredfest tasting. Thanks, Shawn.

Opaque close to pure black body hence no visible carbonation. Light tan head, pretty quick dissipation, left a thin sheet of foam on top of body. The aging certainly tamed the huge hop attack normally seen in Chaos in the nose, good caramel malt presence, nicely balanced. The taste is superb, the aging gave this more of a barleywine presence, sweetish, oily but a bit astringent (!), but still good hop retention re bitterness on the back end. Yummy, one of the best tasting beer's I've had, took on some vanilla notes from the Stranahan's staves. Mouthfeel is full, surprisingly not sticky. Dangerously drinkable at this (approx. 11%) ABV. One of the highlights of the tasting. Looking forward to Barley Brown's expansion, giving Shawn an opportunity to express his craft via barrel aging-now that's something we'll all benefit from. One of the best beer's I've ever had-glad I have two bottles stashed (don't even ask about trades, that is not going to happen, friends). Exceptional.

EDIT- sampled at Eastern Oregon DONG (Dudes of Northwest Grog) "We Will Bock You!" tasting @ Barley Brown's, 8.6.11, after a hard afternoon of Bocks this was just the palate revitalizer we all needed. The vanilla notes from the Stranahan's staves really added to the complexity of this world class offering. While we didn't finish every bottle during the tasting, there was nothing sitting in the bottom of this dead soldier. If I could give a 5.5 in the taste category I would. One of the best beers I have or ever will have. Upped the Overall score to max, that's the least I could do for this amazing drinking experience. Thanks Shawn!

RE-EDIT: Enjoyed at 12 Beers of Christmas Tasting in The Big, 12.18.11. One of the only beers to leave me speechless. This beer continues to develop 3+ years after being brewed. A truly amazing beer experience. The future possibilities for this world-class brewer boggle the mind....