Bourbon Barrel Aged Winter Warmer
Rahr & Sons Brewing Company

Bourbon Barrel Aged Winter WarmerBourbon Barrel Aged Winter Warmer
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From:
Rahr & Sons Brewing Company
 
Texas, United States
Style:
Winter Warmer
Ranked #3
ABV:
11%
Score:
91
Ranked #6,656
Avg:
4.09 | pDev: 12.71%
Reviews:
132
Ratings:
462
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jan 26, 2024
Added:
May 28, 2008
Wants:
  112
Gots:
  156
November Release - English dark ale aged in bourbon barrels - fresh American oak - dark malts - English hops - sweet, smooth vanilla & oak finish
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Labeorphile:
Photo of Labeorphile
Reviewed by Labeorphile from Texas

4.42/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a pint glass from a 22 oz bomber.

Really dark. Can't see through it, even when held up to the light, save for some auburn highlights toward the bottom. Minimal head, even with a relatively strong pour, and what there is quickly disappears.

Aroma is really enticing. Sweet malts with definite hints of the Bourbon barrel.

Taste has definite Bourbon notes and very warm in the throat. Really good with some spiciness up front on the lips and the Bourbon flavor on the back end on the tongue. Taste not quite as powerful as the smell, but improves with temperature.

Not overly carbonated, which makes sense for the style.

Overall a great beer that I will be adding to seasonal rotation.
Dec 14, 2012
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.29 by LizT from Texas

Jan 26, 2024
 
Rated: 3.49 by DariusBlack from Texas

Sep 17, 2023
Photo of stortore
Reviewed by stortore from Illinois

4.08/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
12 ounce can into a tulip snifter. Think it was a 2022 issue, had 5/29/23.

Pours a semi opaque dark cola color, with a short head and some soapy lacing. Aromas of caramel, malt, oak, some chocolate, light bourbon, vanilla as it warms, light char, a bit of a spicy aroma. Flavors of bourbon, caramel, malt, oak, vanilla, light chocolate. Smooth, a very good medium body, well carbonated.

Lots of caramel and oak, the barrels are prominent in the flavor. Not as spicy as expected, or as many others are for a “winter warmer “. Certainly worth a purchase.
Jul 20, 2023
Photo of Grax
Reviewed by Grax from Iowa

3.79/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Aroma of sweet, dark malts. Flavor is a wave of warm bourbon caramel flecked with nutmeg and hoppy bite leaving behind an aftertaste of sweet malt. Not bad.
Apr 06, 2023
Photo of Captain69
Rated by Captain69 from Illinois

4.3/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
great malty smell dark brownish black in the pour with thick head strong but great bourbon malt tast
Feb 09, 2023
Photo of stevoj
Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho

4.24/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
12oz can from Tavour. Dark brown pour with a foamy beige head. Aroma is malty, toffee, chocolate, sweet. Taste is caramel, malty and very warm. Sweet, brown sugar. Finishes a bit dry and plenty warm. Excellent.
Feb 09, 2023
Photo of MutuelsMark
Reviewed by MutuelsMark from Kentucky

4.04/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours dark like a stout, head is tan but quickly goes away. Nose is full on bourbon. Taste is a bit more muted than the nose but still taste the bourbon. Good beer, but not overwhelming.
Jan 04, 2023
 
Rated: 4.24 by Abstractspirit from Rhode Island

Jan 14, 2022
Photo of Tilley4
Reviewed by Tilley4 from Tennessee

4.34/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Simply fantastic...this is from last year and has been in a keg at my local bottle shop kept cold..

The bourbon barrel is subdued and brings a wonderful oak and vanilla aspect to the beer. Spices are mellow and this had melded into a delightful treat. Like a Christmas pudding with a dash of booze.

I'd like to try some fresh to see how it compares but as is this is terrific terrific stuff.

Easily the best WW I've ever had.
Dec 23, 2021
Photo of russpowell
Reviewed by russpowell from Arkansas

4.22/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours an effervescent crimson/hazel with one finger of tan head. Average head retention & lacing

S: Cinnamon, cakeyness, dark fruit (figs & raisins ) once warm

T: Barrel, brown sugar, dried cherry some barrel dryness, molasses, brown sugar, a touch warming booze & vanilla. Bourbon & vanilla as this warms, a little leafy hop, dark cherry & brown sugar as this warms. Brown sugar, cinnamon, Bourbon, & leafy hops in the finish

MF: Chewy, low carbonation , super warming

Nice effort, so superior to their regular Winter Warmer. Will now go back for a 4 pack!
Nov 07, 2021
Photo of DIM
Reviewed by DIM from Pennsylvania

4.41/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I've been drinking a lot big, wonderfully abrasive big stouts and barleywines lately. This is a nice change of pace.

This is mellow and approachable, but with many layers and nuance. Smooth toffee, potpourri like spice and dried fruit, roasted nuts, and well incorporated barrel notes of light bourbon and vanilla with very little oak. Maybe a trace of coconut. This goes down easy for 11%.

Oh my, this is splendid. If available, I'd buy a case annually. Love the 12oz format. Highly recommend!
Feb 11, 2021
Photo of UWDAWG
Reviewed by UWDAWG from Washington

4.35/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 12 ounce can into a snifter.

Look- Semi-frothy medium tan head, black, average head retention, below average lacing.

Smell- Bourbon, vanilla, oak, cocoa.

Taste- Bourbon, vanilla, cocoa, coffee.

Feel- Thin body, smooth, slightly mouth warming, below average carbonation.

Overall- A nice beer for a cold winter day.
Jan 21, 2021
 
Rated: 4.23 by beaulabauve from Louisiana

Dec 29, 2020
 
Rated: 4.25 by NickThePyro from Washington

Dec 21, 2020
Photo of imnodoctorbut
Reviewed by imnodoctorbut from Texas

4.3/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
coffee black with an excited tan frothy foam head that has high retention and leaves sticky patches of lacing as it settles to a thin cap

strong aroma of bourbon, dark fruit, and roasted toffee malt; shades of oak

bourbon front and center; rich raisin and plum back it up, along with a sticky sweet toffee malt; vanilla comes through as it warms, as do various holiday spices.

moderately low carbonation, medium body; feels full thanks to carbo prickles and strong booze kick. finishes boozy but with a solid earthy hop bitterness. wildly enough, the booze hit takes a seat after about 30-45 minutes.

overall:
whew. wish I'd let this sit about 6 months. this is an incredible brew that has been just drenched in bourbon booze heat. I wonder, however, if this brew would actually be too sweet if not for the booze kicker. only time will tell with my other bottle, but this was sublime as-is. best winter warmer I've ever had, hands down - especially when the booze heat takes a break and calls it a night about 40 minutes in. absolutely beautiful after that point.
Nov 30, 2020
 
Rated: 4.62 by atellez23 from Texas

Apr 11, 2020
 
Rated: 3.5 by RiceOwls27 from Texas

Apr 10, 2020
 
Rated: 4.21 by PugsandBeer from Florida

Apr 06, 2020
 
Rated: 3.59 by monk2021 from Texas

Apr 02, 2020
Bourbon Barrel Aged Winter Warmer from Rahr & Sons Brewing Company
Beer rating: 91 out of 100 with 462 ratings