Brewer's Reserve Bourbon Barrel Cherry Stout
Central Waters Brewing Co.

Brewer's Reserve Bourbon Barrel Cherry StoutBrewer's Reserve Bourbon Barrel Cherry Stout
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From:
Central Waters Brewing Co.
 
Wisconsin, United States
Style:
American Imperial Stout
Ranked #1,811
ABV:
11.3%
Score:
86
Ranked #18,343
Avg:
3.84 | pDev: 11.46%
Reviews:
291
Ratings:
884
Status:
Active
Rated:
Apr 05, 2022
Added:
Mar 22, 2007
Wants:
  139
Gots:
  207
We throw 75 pounds of tart Door County cherries into each oak barrel with a rich imperial stout, then age it 6 months.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Photo of GOBLIN
Reviewed by GOBLIN from Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Quick review of a 2019 vintage. Not awful but certainly not what I have come to expect from Central Waters. This is like a chocolate flavored cherry cola.
Apr 05, 2022
 
Rated: 3.75 by Patches826 from Massachusetts

Jan 13, 2022
Photo of HeyBarKeepBeerMe
Reviewed by HeyBarKeepBeerMe

4.68/5  rDev +21.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
I think this beer is very underrated on here. Just the right amount of cherry taste. Not syrupy or thick whatsoever. Smooth finish. I am very much enjoying this beer and will definitely pick up another 4 pack in the future. Another great beer from Central Waters.
Nov 20, 2021
 
Rated: 4.31 by tatecarson from Louisiana

Aug 10, 2021
 
Rated: 4.18 by matt-evans2 from Wisconsin

Jan 25, 2021
Photo of vette2006c5r
Reviewed by vette2006c5r from Minnesota

4.17/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Brewer's Reserve Bourbon Barrel Cherry Stout pours an almost black color, with a very small, tan, non lacing head. Aroma is rich and sweet, hints of cherries and syrup. Flavor has hints of oak, cherries, molasses. Good body and feel. Overall, a very rich stout, great smooth sipping flavors.
Dec 31, 2020
Photo of Eapressocycle
Reviewed by Eapressocycle from Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Reviews here are all over the map, which makes me think this might not be a very consistent brew (or sensitive to storage issues). Mine poured with a limited head that quickly vanished. It's muddy and opaque, with a thin mouth feel that's more like a porter. The alcohol hits like a ton of bricks with not much sweetness to balance it out. Nose is basically cherry brandy with birthday cake. Overall, this is really lacking in my opinion. Tastes like someone dropped a shot in a beer.
Nov 12, 2020
Photo of jkblr
Reviewed by jkblr from Indiana

3.87/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
12oz bottle coded 34419 (12/10/19 - nearly one year old) poured into a Spiegelau stout glass at fridge temp, no ABV listed on label. The beer pours very dark brown with red tinted mocha head. The head recedes to an irregular fluffy ring. The aroma is roasted malt, oak and vague fruit. The taste is tart cherry initially before the roasted malt, oak, bourbon and moderate bitterness transition to punctuate the middle and finish. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with less than medium carbonation and a dry oaky finish. No hint of the ABV in the taste or aroma. Overall, very good. The tart cherry and stout flavor mingle well for a complex and enjoyable beer.
Nov 06, 2020
Photo of BEER88
Rated by BEER88 from North Carolina

4/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thin with and extremely subtle tartness from the cherries.
Oct 28, 2020
 
Rated: 3.79 by kkazemi from North Carolina

Jul 26, 2020
Photo of pathman
Rated by pathman from Ohio

4.75/5  rDev +23.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
07/25/20 bottle @ home
Jul 25, 2020
Photo of dcotom
Reviewed by dcotom from Iowa

4.27/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I'm on record as saying that I love it when a brewer delivers on his promises. A cherry stout should be big on cherries, and this one is for sure. Vintage 2019, poured cold from a 12-ounce bottle into a Master's Reserve whiskey glass and allowed to warm to near room temperature. Deep mahogany in color, with a finger of tan head and deep ruby highlight here and there. Big aromas and flavors of tart cherry and bourbon barrel take center stage as expected, with notes of dried fruit, licorice, molasses, and char creeping in on the back end. Medium bodied for a big stout, not at all syrupy and with good carbonation. Dry finish, with a little tannic astringence. Surprisingly not a whole lot of alcohol warmth. Well balanced with nothing overpowering here, just an outstanding and dangerously drinkable big stout. Highly recommended.
May 30, 2020
 
Rated: 4.14 by Shanex from France

May 02, 2020
 
Rated: 4.23 by ryancl from Minnesota

Apr 28, 2020
 
Rated: 2.85 by Danzifer from Ohio

Apr 17, 2020
 
Rated: 3.89 by craigbelly from Iowa

Mar 28, 2020
Photo of bluejacket74
Reviewed by bluejacket74 from Ohio

4.1/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
12 ounce bottle, 2019 vintage. Thanks to Brutaltruth for this brew! Served in a snifter, the beer pours dark brown/black with about an inch tan head. Head retention is decent, and there isn't much lacing at all. I like the aroma a lot, the brew smells like cherries, vanilla, bourbon, chocolate, caramel and oak. I think the taste is similar to the aroma, with tart cherry, vanilla, oak, bourbon, chocolate, dark bread, caramel and coffee flavors. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's smooth and a bit coating and creamy with a moderate amount of carbonation. Does seem thin for a big stout, though. With all that being said, I thought it was tasty and would like to try this again sometime!
Mar 23, 2020
 
Rated: 3.99 by EMH73 from New York

Mar 14, 2020
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Reviewed by buschbeer from Ohio

3.86/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
12 FLUID OZ bottle
Served in a snifter

This beer pours super dark brown. Ruby highlights are visible when held to the light. It is topped with a feeble tan head that leaves no lacing.

The initial smell is chocolate covered cherries and vanilla. I even get a little caramel as it warms.

The taste is cherry and dark chocolate. I get a little black coffee in the finish. I get some booze.

Medium bodied with a smooth mouthfeel. It seems thin for a barrel aged stout.

It is a good beer. I wouldn't say that it is worth the price tag. Overall it is thin for a stout and lacking in barrel character other than the boozy taste. I wouldn't buy another four pack. It is not a drain pour though. I know a lot of people on here like dumping their beers after one unsatisfactory sip. I still respect the alcohol that this beverage contains.
Feb 29, 2020
 
Rated: 2.95 by MountainHiker from Wisconsin

Feb 26, 2020
Brewer's Reserve Bourbon Barrel Cherry Stout from Central Waters Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 86 out of 100 with 884 ratings