Full Sail Top Sail Imperial Porter Bourbon Barrel Aged

Brewed by Full Sail Brewing Company
Style: Imperial/Strong Porter
Hood River, Oregon USA

22oz bomber, Brewmaster Reserve 2010 from Beverages 4 Less--$10.99. Clear deep brown--black in the glass--with a small 1/3 finger dark tan oily head, fading to a thin ring and little island of head rather quickly. Big oak and hot alcohol dominate with some coconut and brown sugar behind--pretty bourbony. There’s a fair amount of dark chocolate and some roast as well. Flavor adds a lot of meaty soy notes to go with the bourbon, as well as a little smoke with a hint of tart black cherry or plum. Finish has some burnt acidic malts, semi-dry with bitterness at a 3-4/10 and alcohol warming my throat and belly (actually a dull burn in my throat--kinda harsh considering it’s strength). Light prickly carbonation with a medium full body. Not too bad--and interesting--but I don’t feel the bourbon was done well at all. Possibly some aging will do it well, but I’m sick of aging beers and ending up with a crappy oxidized mess.

Another stellar bottle from after4ever. Thanks Tom! Pours a black oily color with red hues and a small beige head that recedes to a few small film islands. Nose is rich chocolate and plums, a nice light paju bourbon note with a tinge of alcohol. Palate is smooth and silky up front with a big harsh swallow and a bourbony alcohol aftertaste. The throat is warm and sticky for a good minute. Lots of cola is present, like a Jack and coke with hints of licorice and rootbeer and some chocolate notes hidden throughout. The warmer it gets, the more dark fruits and plums become apparent on the tip of the tongue while the big bourbon and alcohol sting lie heavily in the back. Very interesting and quite fun to drink.

Bottle at home - Thanks Jannik. Pitch black - offwhite head. Bourbon, vanilla, burned, lactose, coffee, chocolate, peppery, nice amount of barrel, smooth body. Nice.

Appearance: Pours a dark brown with a small frothy gathering of tan bubbles. Aroma: Bourbon, vanilla, caramel and chocolate cereal. Taste: Bourbon, vanilla, roasted malt, black coffee and hop spice. Mouthfeel: Silky, with medium carbonation. Overall: An amazing beer. I am very partial to dark, bourbon barrel aged beers.

Bottle at Theis og Mette. Black coloured with a small beige head. Swet and rasted aroma of oak, vanilla, bourbon and dried fruits. Swet and roasted flavour of chocolate, cocoa powder, oak, bourbon and vanilla. Roasted finish.

Pours black with a tan head that dissipates rather quickly. The aroma is great, with hints of bourbon, vanilla and malts. The taste is outstanding as well, with bourbon, roasted malts, and coffee. An outstanding beer.

Bottled. A pitch black beer with a fast disappearing dark brown head. The aroma has strong notes of bourbon, and roasted malt, as well as notes of chocolate, wood, and soy sauce. The flavor is sweet with strong notes of roasted malt, bourbon, dark bitter chocolate, and alcohol, leading to a dry, roasted, bourbon finish. Somewhat alcoholic. Thanks Sahlholdt for sharing

Pours out looking like black tar with a two-finger frothy khaki head from the 22oz. bottle into a glass tumbler: Lots of bourbon, earthy oak, deep roasted malt, and bittersweet chocolate in the aroma. In one word, "musky". Medium to full-bodied with lots of hot bourbon, creaminess, and oak in the flavoring. There remains a balanced earthy presence to it and lots of warmth in the finish. Drinkability: Hot and flavorful. Pairing: Smoked foods, such as bbq or prime rib, and chocolate cake. Rebuy: Yes. #308 on 26022010, DG.