Bourbon Cherry Stout
Onion Pub & Brewery / Wild Onion Brewing Co.

Another quality brew available at the Festival of Barrel Aged Beers at last weekend's Goose Island Brewpub in Chicago IL. Onion Pub & Brewery had 6 different offerings that are not listed on BA. The Bourbon Cherry Stout is the only one of these that I had. It is described as, " An oatmeal stout aged with dark sweet and red sour cherries in a Heaven Hill Bourbon barrel for 9 months." Surprisingly, the beer had a full, rich, and a more mellow cherry flavor that expected. The color is expectedly opaque and black-brown with a lingering tan head. Aromas are typical of Oatmeal stouts with the addition of sweet oak alcohol and fruity tartness originating from the cherries. The flavors are distinctly oatmeal stout but with a solid and underlying ripe cherry flavor. Very little tartness or astringency eminates from the stout. The sweet alcohols from the bourbon combine nicely with the cherry flavor and the roasted malts without becoming fusal, phenolic, or harsh. Increadibly smooth, silky, and creamy as is in an Oatmeal stout. A touch of lactose sugars rise and fall throughout the sip. A real treasure for fans of the style.