Livery Bourbon Cask Aged Wheat Trippelbock

On tap at the Great Taste of the Midwest, Madison, 8/13/2005. After trying this, I thought to myself, "This is as good as beer can possibly be." Among the Bourbon barrel beers I tried that day or sampled earlier, this was the finest. All the great notes of American oak, apple cider spices, vanilla and caramel on the nose harmonize beautifully on the palate. I’m not sure if it was the lager aspect of this, but it was incredibly smooth to drink. All in all, my favorite beer of the festival, and that’s saying a lot! (And not that this figures into the ratings in anyway, but the brewer was a great guy. He said he hopes to start bottling this in 750 ml.This is easily up to top50 standards.) ****UPDATE FoBAB at GI. My only perfect 5. Amazing.

2006 version on Draft @ the Brewery (listed as 11% - Barrel aged 8 months). Wow - finally trying this bad boy and it didn’t disapoint (to say the least). Big brown color with a light head. Aroma is simply incredible - huge bourbon/wood/oak/vanilla with a nice bit of roasty/sweet malt and dark fruits. Taste is amazing - bourbon, oak, and heavy brown sugar dominate with vanilla, rich dark fruits, and other assorted, woody flavors mixed in. Mouthfeel is incredible - tingly, smooth, wonderful. Paralyzingly good. So well done, I don’t know what to make of it. I could drink this beer all the damn time. The perfect marriage of one of my favorite styles, sweet flavors, and wonderful barrel aging to create what could be the perfect beer. Wow.

Tap @ GTMW. My God, what a way for a new brewery to introduce itself. Hands down the best of show. Mostly opaque with ruby chestnut accents at the edges when held to light. One of the best bourbon laden aromas yet. Some rye and pumpernickel, caramel, vanilla, roasted elements and cedar. Man, what a quaff. Bourbon begins by taking a modest bow, interceded with chocolate and caramel trait assertions, reminding you of its bock roots. A light biscuit yeast characteristic and banana nodes silently grace across the palate and principally draw out some vanilla, perfectly balanced from its combination from the bourbon barrel and hefe yeast strain. My God this is good. Pervasive chocolate complimented by cedar casings and a forest woodiness gently toy with my emotions, and an undeniably top shelf bourbon remains in the finish. Top notch in every way. Absolutely admirable.

tap - What’s not to like!!! Toffee, dried fruits, vanilla, and a great bourbon taste. SMOOTH! The strong alcohol enhances, but does NOT overpower the rich compexity and fullness of flavor. Everything was balanced and then kicked up a notch. Aged one year in the Bourbon cask! Definatly one to sip and enjoy! Highest rating I’ve ever given! I was in heaven...

That very special handbottle from Steve and enjoyed with TAR and CB, served in Expedition and Stone IRS snifters: Mahogany hued with an very heavy oily cling to the glassware.

The nose is an intense deep infusion of aromas and esters including: vanilla bean, prune, candy apple, licorice, juniper, bacon, sea salt, caramel, wheat and rye breads. So powerful, I had to walk away for a second to regain thought, didn’t help I it caused me to go a sneezing spree for about 2 minutes. That is one powerful aroma!

The flavor has a wonderful interplay of smokey wood, caramel and mocha, ripened fruits, with noticeable but not overpower alcohol. There is a rich clove and cardamom like spice near the vinous end. It also has a salty (also barleywine-ish ) bite on the finish.

The mouth texture is oily and lush with a biting warming sensation, a true evening sipper.
I think it is indeed worthy of it’s past ratings, a true powerhouse beer. Just enough barrel ageing you know for sure it is there but never did it overplay it’s hand. You would be hard pressed to find a better beer in the lager family. (hope the next release in August is near it equal)
MANY MANY THANKS to Steve for letting me share the last drops of this batch!