New Holland Brandy Barrel Aged Charkoota Rye

Brewed by New Holland Brewing Company
Style: Smoked
Holland, Michigan USA

Serve in Dimpled mug, Lager glass, Stein

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This one poured a very dark red to brown colot with a small beige head. Aroma was big smokey meats, brandy, dark fruit, loight roasted malt, and chocolate. Flavor was just as big, a good amount of sweetness from the sugars and brandy, blended perfectly with thick smokey and roasted notes. A top notch BA beer.

On tap at Fat Heads in the Burgh. Pours a deep dark brown color with a small white bubble of head. The aroma is big brandy and smoke. The flavor works out quite well: a base of rich lager, smoke, sweet dark fruit, big brandy barrel. Very sweet and warm. Enjoyable and a nice take.

Bottle from Sean - thanks! Dark brown/amber pour and an initial froth of tan foam fading to a ring of foam on the edges of the glass. Aroma is clean and heavy smoke and bacon over a melange of sweet malt and brandy. Impressive how the smoke dominates and the brandy plays a supporting but complimentary role. Taste is heavy smoke up front with roast and lightly sweet malt from the dopplebock with ripe brandy featuring fruity, candied alcohol tones. Mouthfeel is coating and smooth. Even among the beer geek set I suspect that most will be unable to wrap their heads and taste preferences around this beer. But I do think that the brewers did an excellent job presenting the base beer with a brandy barrel influence that nicely compliments rather than dominates. Love this beer.

22oz Bottle. Thanks so much Sean! Having had the regular Charkoota a couple years ago, it’s easy to say that the barrel aging was an awesome addition. The aroma stays subdued melding a hint of smoke, some maltiness, and a nip of barrel. The flavors explode all over the place with fresh raw smoke up front moving into deep rich caramel and caramelized malts, before a deeper, richer smoked finishes twined with the mature, refined brandy essence. It really comes across as maple bacon, kicked up a notch. It is sweet, it is strong, but the smoked and the barrel balance nicely and all parts are at the right level. Really, really nice.

Bomber to snifter. If this is a good smoked beer, then ive discovered i hate the style. Dark brown. Head dissipates quickly. Very meaty tasting, as in actual meat. Smokey and bacony. Too weird for me. Brain couldn’t wrap around it.

22oz bottle paired with Jims Meat Market Chicken Cordon Bleu brats. Heaven. Deep opaque brown, a hint of burgundy. Thin, glass rimming beige head. Sweet chocolate, a touch of smoked meat. Wow. A really well done, chocolaty Doppelbock, further accentuated by the mellow brandy barrel tones...more oak than booze..nice. Odd, but also quite spot on. A unique beer, well worth seeking out if you are a Rauchbier aficionado.

In a word.. Smoky. Tastes like good BBQ should. Not too overpowering for a smoked beer (see voodoo doughnut). Nice chocolate bown color. Bourbon scents with a bit of smoke. Would recommend this beer for a scotch drinker. Would pair well with all meat. Thanks Ben4321

Location: 22 oz bottle from Oak Tree, 12/2/12, Aged in Brandy Barrels, 9.35% ABV

Aroma: The smoked malts dominate the nose, and there’s some booze and roast as well
Appearance: It pours a dark brown color with a red hue, a small beige head, and light lace
Flavor: The taste has lots of smoke and meat, with some wood and boozy flavors as well
Palate: The body is pretty full, it has a thick, chewy, and meaty feel, and a lightly boozy finish
Overall Impression: This beer is quite smokey and meaty, maybe even more so then you’d expect in the style. The booze are there, but pretty well hidden. This is some interesting stuff, but I can’t imagine wanting to drink large quantities considering how meaty and thick it is.

Tap @ the Fred. Cloudy, rusty brown, dark. Smells like rum. Sweet scent, loads of smoke. Tastes of smoked malts, toasted malt, booze. Very boozie, nice smoke. Whoo, intense. (3475)