Town Hall Barrel Aged Week 2017

I think this was meant for the "What's on Tap" thread referring to the Rum King vintages at Blue Door?

 

Still Buffalo Bock, Eye Wine, Project 3106 growlers available. I think some Foolish Angel as well.

 

I think some people are waiting to try this year's version of Project 3106 before they buy a growler!

 

Single barrel still on as of 130

 

Was able to get some Single Barrel over the lunch hour today and I must say that it is truly one of the best barrel aged beers that I have had. Quads are often a little sweet and syrupy for my tastes and although i really enjoy the regular foolish angel (have had it in years past and had a sampler with my full glass of single barrel today) - I would say that the single barrel really hits it out of the park for me. Huge bourbon presence but just so smooth and integrated. The Angel's Envy is really out front with a smoky bourbon taste but mellowed perfectly with the base quad. I would have stayed for 3 pours but had to drive home. The bartender told me probably gone today. I don't usually make these kinds of posts but if you get a chance this afternoon - its worth swinging by on the way home.

 

Love me some Twisted Trace, but this year it's HOTT! I think I will let my growlers hibernate this summer....

 

My first and last taste, and I still think "candied bourbon". It is damn delicious.

(As I type this I am at TH and it's still on)

 

Does anyone else feel like this years iteration of Manhattan Reserve is a hot mess? For me it tastes like butter-laced cherry cough syrup with grain alcohol. The diacetyl is really hard to overcome.

This beer was once a personal favorite, but this version wasn't the high quality product I've come to expect from THB releases.

 

Single Barrel FA still flowing as of 7pm. Have to agree with you all on this, it's outstanding.

 

Yep, GF and I both agree something is off vs. Last year. This was one of my favs during the 2016 week.

 

Agreed. The first year 3106 came out was just amazing. The Belgian chocolate was intense and blended so well with the kumquats and barrel. When TH went from a Belgian brown to an American brown the following year it was a big letdown. It was good to see they went back to the original Belgian brown base beer last. Last year's was closer to the first year...interested to try this year's version.

 

I only had a sip, and all I could taste was sweet cherry. You said the "cough syrup" part and I have to agree with you. Maybe in a couple months the intensity of the cherry will fade just enough to bring it into balance.

 

Yup. The Manhattan Reserve is a huge disappointment this year. Last year it was amazing so this year I bought a growler. Totally different this year. Malty and flavorless. I get no barrel. I don't even really get too much cherry.

Oh well. TH is a small operation and sometimes they miss the mark a little.

 

How's Czar Jack tasting? I've never had it and it would be difficult for me to make it today or tomorrow, though I'm going to try.

How does it rank compared to some of the great MN BA Stouts?

 

It's pretty good. It is quite smoky. It doesn't come close to other BA imperial stouts made in the state, but Town Hall makes other BA imperial stouts that are much better. It was the first BA imperial stout in the state and one of the first in the US, so it is a legacy. Twisted Trace and Project 3106 were the standouts for me this year.

The single barrel is gone.

 

You guys are killing me. I didn't have this on Thursday or Friday because I got a couple growlers. Should I just dump 'em?

A few notes: the single reserve was the boss. Anybody want to swap a growler for a Manhattan?

My favorite, Buffalo Bock buffalo bocked the way Buffalo Bock should.

The red wine barrel completely owned La Belgique. Dry, oak, and earthy. Couldn't really get a sense of the underlying beer.

Foolish Red was a real knock out. Naturally, it's two other variants get the most attention but having a full pour of this over a half hour or so and experiencing the change and nuance was a real experience.

Always thought the base for Czar Jack was Russian Roulette. I've never had Ol Jack Frost. Need to have Ol Jack Frost.

This week is the Minnesota beer pinnacle!

 

I am opening my growler with some friends in a bit... I'll let you know how it is vs tap.

 

With a second taste in a chill environment, this drinks much better. It tastes much more like a "cocktail beer" than a beer inspired by a cocktail, if that makes any sense. At time I almost thought I was drinking a true manhatten instead of a barrel aged beer. I think the context of drinking this alongside Twisted Trace and the other heavy hitters this week masked the goal of this beer. I'd suggest saving a growler for a night by the fire or with good friends, and give it another shot.

If anyone doesn't want their growler, I'd happily buy it off you.

 

OK, at end of this fantastic week, let's hear everyone's top 3. Mine were:

1) Single Barrel Foolish Angel
2) 3106
3) Buffalo Bock