Castlewood
Burke-Gilman Brewing Company

Poured into a Fremont small snifter. Pours a dark orangey red with a thin, light khaki head that dissipates to sparse patches with light lacing. Aroma of dry biscuit malt, raisins and fortified wine. Flavor follows, with dry biscuit malt, raisins, Port and woody oak. Medium bodied with light to moderate creaminess. An interesting idea for barreling an old ale. Aged old ales sometimes take on Port-like character and the Port here is a clear note, but melds with the malt base quite nicely. Great oak barrel character as well. Not that complex, but well integrated and balanced. I'd like to try the base old ale used for this, I'll be watching for it. Burke-Gilman's barrel series has been excellent and it's great to see them diversify. I'm a big fan of their great BA stouts from the past and this year there is a stout, barleywine and this old ale. Great stuff.