Barrel Aged Smoked Rye Pale Ale
Twain's Billiards and Tap

Good to see this one making it out of GA - one of the new big beer series from Twain's.

Pours a clear brownish-amber color with a one-finger tan head. The head recedes into a patchy layer on top leaving decent lacing.

Smells just like it sounds - hints of smokiness with larger amounts of spicy rye and a good deal of caramel malts. As the beer warms hints of whiskey and vanilla waft out.

Tastes similar to how it smells, however the smoked malts aren't quite as evident. Caramel malt flavors up front with hints of rye spiciness and vanilla up front. Near the end of the sip a hint of whiskey booziness enters into things before a smooth ending.

Mouthfeel is good. It's got a solid thickness with moderate carbonation.

Drinkability is very good. I finished my glass quickly and could easily have another.

Overall I was a big fan of this beer. Any time a beer can combine three of my favorite ingredients (smoked malt, rye, and barrel-aging) and manage to integrate all the flavors well just let me know where to sign. Well worth a shot.

Left-over from GABF judging, given to me as a reward for all my volunteer efforts. Pours a thin layer of cream-tan head over a hazed light brown (oranged) liquid. Smells bourbon, green grape wine, dried grass, cherry and pear fruitiness.

Tastes hardwood smoke, winey, light caramel, and a dash of dry chocolate powder. Winey is quite fruity of white grape, pear, and cherry. Loses to the drying wood. Drying character overall, but some wet malt plays the game, too. Oak is raw and American. Peppery sting during the swallow, perhaps from rye, but certainly from carbonation. This beer gives me heartburn. Nice balance of flavors...none dominating, but unfortunately the flavors present don't quite blend...perhaps with time in a cellar. Enjoyable. Md to md-thick body and md-heavy carbonation.