Baboom
Burke-Gilman Brewing Company

Poured into a Fremont small snifter. Pours a medium to dark reddish orange with a one finger light khaki head with great retention and solid lacing. Aroma of caramel malt, light and dark stone fruit, grapes, dried tropical fruit and bourbon. Flavor is caramel and candi malt, plums, dates, raisins, bourbon, mild green grape and clove. Bourbon and dark fruit finish. Medium bodied with light to moderate creaminess. The base ale is a convincing domestic Belgian strong dark ale with great dried fruit character with mostly dark stone fruit but also hints of tropical and lighter fruit; I was getting hints of light grapes at times. The bourbon barrel component is quite forward, almost dominating the malt, but also certainly adding to the dark fruit flavors. As a bourbon-in-ale fan, this worked out fine for me. After the big, enjoyable batch of stouts earlier this year, I was pleased to see three new Belgian style ales this winter. I'm looking forward to rest. Nicely done.