Magnolia Bourbon Barrel Aged Weekapaug Gruit

Brewed by Magnolia Pub and Brewery
Style: Traditional Ale
San Francisco, California USA

Serve in Dimpled mug, English pint, Stein, Yard

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Hazy brownish liquid with nearly purple highlights. There is little to no head and very mild lacing. It certainly looks like an ancient concoction. Lavender, heather, cardamom, rosemary and bourbon. This is a very interesting drink from the get go. I’m probably reading more into it than they actually added, but it smells like a medieval spice cabinet plus you get some very well-balanced bourbon notes. The bourbon could have overpowered all of the other flavors, but instead it blends in nicely and gives the beer a smoky tone. Taste is similar to smell. It’s very interesting, a savory beer. There’s little sweetness. It has the flavor of a smoldering bunch of lavender mixed with spices and light malt. The malt definitely takes a backseat, but it’s still there in a supporting role. It definitely has an old world feel. The bourbon notes are balanced and subtle for a bourbon barrel aged beer, which is a welcome change in my experience. Excellent feel until the end, which is a tad watery. It misses out on that hop bite in the finish. The flavors are mostly upfront, so it’s not a big deal. Much more drinkable than you might expect. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this unusual beer. The bourbon barrel aging creates an additional level of complexity without overpowering the medley of spices and malt.