Oskar Blues Gordon (Whiskey Barrel)

Draft @ Liquids and Solids in Longmont. Deep dirty, murky brown with a thin offwhite head. Nose is woody with some fruit, not the assaultive resinous dankness you’d expect in the regular Gordon. Flavor is rich wood with hints of whisky and a very small alcohol heat present. Finish is smooth and somewhat sweet with a little vanilla in there as well. The hops and citric/piney bitterness are overwhelmed by the woody/vinous character. Mouthfeel is very smooth. All in all - it was OK, but lacked the punch and citric/piney bitterness that is the hallmark of the regular, which I guess is the point of barrell aging, but as a DIPA, I’d prefer a little bitter punch.

sample from the pitcher at GABF on 9/26/09... this one didn’t feel right... pours a murky brown... some musty oak up front... no bitterness... felt a bit tired. dump.

Served on draft at Capital Ale House downtown. Pours a clear brownish red with a large frothy head. Good head retention and lacing. Aroma of dark resiny hops with lots of whisky notes and notes of maple, vanilla and mint. Taste is citrus hops that are hidden at first but grow as you drink the beer leading to a nice hop burn on the roof of the mouth. Lots of whisky and maple notes as well. No booze detectable and the flavors work together beautifully. Full bodied.

Appearance: Clear, deep, dark mahogany-hued body with a thin, but lasting, off-white head. Smell: Richly scented nose of sweet dark caramel, citrus pith, pine resin, vanilla, coconut, brown sugar, and good ole oak. Taste: Blend of lightly toasted biscuits and candyishly sweet dark caramel. In rolls the rich barrel-derived tastes of vanilla beans, brown sugar, oak wood, and dehydrated coconut flakes. Tiny touch of tannins. Hoppy flavors of resin and citrus, but as was the case with the barrel-aged Dale’s Pale Ale, the bitterness, though still present, has been greatly diminished. So the beer finishes fairly sweet and a tad warming. Mouthfeel: Medium-plus body. Medium-low carbonation. Drinkability: An interesting iteration that, while it certainly adds more depth to the Gordon, doesn’t necessarily outperform the original.

Draft at Brick Store Pub. Pours out a rosy amber with a small head. Sweet and fruity aroma with caramel and floral notes. Tastes of vanilla, citrus fruits, caramel and a hint of whiskey. Medium full body with a small amount of carbonation. My fiance loved this beer.

On tap at Capital Ale House - Downtown on 06/04/2009. Somewhat hazy dark amber body with ruby highlights and a thin off-white head. Big oak, vanilla and caramel aroma with floral and citrus hops. Sweet whiskey, vanilla and caramel flavor with floral and citrus hops. Medium full body with moderately low carbonation.

had at coles rare beer fest. amberish color, decent head. nose is hops and vanilla with some oak. flavor was nice hops a little muted by the vanilla and oak of the whiskey barrel. intresting

on tap at falling rock during GABF. Pours a murky amber. Nose is whiskey and wood. Then hops come through. Flavor is too heavy whiskey and malt.