 acrdz (4297), Boulder, Colorado, USA
Dec 17, 2007
375ml bottle. Pours a dark tawny and burgundy brown, deep and rich in color but without a head. Legs? It has some oily film which tries to stick to the glass but it’s not overly viscous or syrupy. Nose at first has some oxidized wet wood, sherry, port and brandy scents, but when warmer the rich maltiness comes through, with a sweet and spicy wood, buttered bread and fruit note, very heavy smelling throughout. The first taste is simply decadent... amazingly rich, prickly, full, vibrant and smooth, with a buttery-ness on top of the port wine and fruit and oak... amazingly decadent. Finishes slightly hot, but not at all in a bad way, warming the throat and warming the entire body in the process. Amazing beer. Put a barley wine or old ale in a wine, brandy or port barrel and I’m telling you, good things will happen.
notalush (2033), Rawn-kawn-kohma, New York, USA
Sep 1, 2008 Thanks to iowaherkeye for this - decided to finish up my labor day weekend with this baby - not a bad choice - pours pretty fizzy, especially considering its age, and the fact that the cork came out without a sound - the fizzy head disappears completely, leaving a murky dark red beer that looks almost still - quite a complex aroma, with the brandy quite prominent at first, but underneath this there are notes of raisin, fig, vanilla, oak, toasted coconut, toffee, bread pudding - very warming nose, but it borders on boozy - fairly sugary up front, but the rich dark fruits that follow create a flavor akin to a syrup soaked, fruity dessert - behind this comes over ripe fruits, strong coconut and vanilla from the oak, rum, caramelized brown sugar, and, of course, brandy - gets some dough/cookie/raisin bread character late - these qualities don’t overpower the base beer, which is quite surprising, but it does get pretty hot and boozy, especially in the finish - the alcohol heat is complimented by a subtle spiciness, and the oak softens it a bit, but that ABV really cuts through in the finish - don’t get me wrong, it is quite tasty, but there are still some rough edges to smooth out.
sunevdj (1384), Copenhagen, Denmark
Aug 31, 2008 @ home with the club. Pours a dark brown. Sweet with some alcohol note. Aromas of brandy. Very well balanced. Brandyish finish. Good. THX Theis/Mette.
Mette (110), Frederiksberg, Denmark
Aug 30, 2008 Tak til min bror Mikkel for denne øl til klubben. Stort set det samme som bourbon-udgaven. Bare en tand bedre.
nam nam!
JB175 (1327), Holland, Pennsylvania, USA
Aug 5, 2008 Bottle from xmarcnolanx - thanks! This one is a nice darker brown color with almost no head. Aroma is heavy and sweet - lots of vanilla, oak, brandy, brown sugar, dark fruits, and a bit of alcohol. Flavor is sweet and delicious - woody vanilla undertones with a powerful, sugary wallop that has some brandy and ripe fruit. Wonderful mouthfeel that leaves you wanting more. Its no wonder that this is great, starting with old stock and all, but this really takes it to the next level. A bit more time on this would help. The only downside to the beer is that, having tried the Angels Share, it is a close #2 in Brandy Barrel beers. Still wonderful - please make more!!!
bumpskier (19), Sonoma, California, USA
Jul 31, 2008 Picked up at the brewery. Been saving for a special occasion and this trip to Lake Tahoe is it. Poured into a Delirium Tremins snifter and at first I was a little nervous because it was pouring a hazy brown. The head is virtually non existent, however @ 14.7 abv there usually is not, the alcohol kills it. The aroma is quite amazing with tremendous aromas of wood, fruit & alcohol. Nice vanilla aspects from the wood. What I really appreciate is that the Brandy is not at the forefront of this beer. It is an enhancement to the beer. For a% abv beer I feel that is quite drinkable not too sweet. I am so glad that I have more of this to age at home. I should have never expected anything less from the great folks at North Coast. Up next.....the Bourbon Barrel.
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