Sampled at the Festival of Wood and Barrel Aged Beer at Goose Island, Nov.11, 2005. Lighter golden ale with good carbonation, and creamy white head. Chcocolate Quick in aroma and light alcohol. Interesting rich white chocolate and vanilla, alcohol warmth and smooth hops. Quite nice. Rich and smooth.

Really not a fan of this one...seemed overly sweet with a peculiarly artificial tasting chocolate component...almost a chocolate extract thing going on. Somewhat cloying on the tongue. needless to say, though, I loved the bourbon aftertaste.

Sampled at the Festival of Wood and Barrel Aged Beer at Goose Island. Most of the chocolate flavored beers I’ve had have been stouts or other strong, dark beers. This was a light amber body beneath a small white head. Chocolate immediately hits the nose. Nice, sweet, creamy chocolate. Ghirardelli chocolate singing lead with a bourbon backup. Light to medium bodied and somewhat thin, the flavor was still rewarding, like chocolate truffles laced with bourbon. I have to say that this was a favorite of mine for the day and it had nothing to do with the attractive brunette doing the pouring.

This is a strange brew. The brewery’s chocolate flavored golden ale, which I don’t much care for, was aged in a bourbon barrel for several months. There is still a predominantly sweet chocolate nose, but it is mellowed by the blending with bourbon, vanilla, and a woody smokiness. The flavor is pretty much like bourbon-flavored milk chocolate candies topped with vanilla frosting. It a peculiarly not unpleasant flavor. It finishes on a sweet, bourbon laden note. Strange.

America’s Brewpub, Aurora, IL