Ithaca Bourbon Ten

Formerly brewed at Ithaca Beer Company
Style: American Strong Ale
Ithaca, New York USA

Serve in Snifter, Trappist glass

Draft at EBF. Pours a orange amber body with an off white head. Mild bourbon body that is just noticeable with the addition of fresh hops. I thought this was a mistake and had it towards the end of the fest, leave ten out of the barrel.

EBF NOTB. Amber in color with some haze, and a small off white head. Aroma of caramel/toasted malts, some light bourbon, and moderate citrus hops. Taste is sweet with molasses and citrus hops, the oak and bourbon are there but are quite subtle. Hops are more subdued than it’s fresh counterpart. I like the original better, which doesn’t suprise me at all- I just don’t see the point of bourbon barrel aging any fresh hoppy beer whether it be an ASA or an IPA.

In short: Big juicy fruity caramel and juicy hops with minimal bourbon barrel flavour. Good beer. Regular Ithaca Ten is better.
How: Tap at Boston Extreme Beer Fest 2009
The look: Cloudy dark orange body topped by a very small off-white head
In long: I’ve had many bottles of the regular Ithaca Ten and I like it a lot (although the first bottle had carbonation problems). The Ithaca Ten is full body super-malted fruity rich IIPA that almost approaches barley wine Bigfoot-ish territory. I though its big body was all indicated for barrel aging. But the barrel aging doesn’t help this beer. Same big fruity caramel as the Ten. Gone are the leafy resinous hops of the Ten and replaced softer by juicier hops final making the beer feel sweeter than the regular Ten. The actual bourbon and/or barrel flavours are very subtle. Blind tasting I would not have guessed this was bourbon barrel aged. Probably didn’t spent much time in the barrels. A good beer but I prefer the very good regular Ithaca Ten. Bourbon Barrel aging beer and reality tv are two recent trends that are being overdone. Now what number do I dial to vote this beer out of Ithaca’s lineup?