Barrel Aged Double Uncommon Stout
Bent River Brewing Co.

 

 

Thank God this monstrosity of a beer has been retired for the time being. It was nasty. I usually like uncommon but this did not need to happen and it was grossly over priced.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Showing early signs of infection: slight sour cherry on the nose and finish, and a bit too fizzy. Drink now. This 2017 batch will not improve with age.

 

Pours black and surprisingly viscous. Thin mocha colored film dissipates almost instantly leaving some spotty oily slick on top of the beer.

Smell has almost no barrel character. Coffee is there, but it smells like an old cup of folgers coffee. Strong acidity on the nose. Vegetal notes are there as well.

Taste is initially acidic with some coffee and an almost citrusy note from the acidic coffee. There is not much in the way of bourbon in this beer and the only indication of barrel aging comes as the flavors mellow out revealing some dry oak flavors and a hint of vanilla. There is a green pepper like taste - almost vegetal.

Feel is actually pretty viscous for a BA stout - but then again, this beer was barely in barrels long enough. Prickly carbonation is a bit much for a BA stout.

Overall this is really just not a well done BA stout. The base stout isn't very good either. Needs much more barrel character to start. And maybe some good coffee and not canned pre ground folgers.

 

 

 

 

Possibly infected? Had some tartness and was a bit over carbed

Pours a somewhat slick dark brown and sits black in the glass with an airy finger of dark brown foam.

Some light char and oak notes mingle with heavy notes of coffee and roasted malt. A light bourbon aroma lingers, but is certainly not pronounced.

Immediately a heavy dose of coffee and roasted malt washes over the palate. The coffee has a subtle citrus fruit character but roasted malt, oak, char, and subtle bourbon notes washes the palate clean and leaves a bitter and dry but smooth finish.

Full-bodied, low-medium carbonation, roasty bitterness, and warming.

Overall, a very well done BA impy stout. Tons of coffee and roasted malt are sure to please any coffee fan. Although the bourbon doesn't play a star role here, the char and oak barrel notes certainly add layers of complexity and make this a delicious sipper.