Stillwater Barrel Aged Series - Existent

Stillwater Artisanal
Brewed at Dog Brewing Co.
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Baltimore, Maryland USA

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

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12oz bottle. Interesting label. Did not enjoy this one as much as the other Stillwaters that we tasted today but it definitely has that oak aged taste to it. Other than the oak there did not seem to be much going on with this which was surprising considering the higher than avg abv and the aging.

Uploading old ratings that were missing comments. The base beer is tasty and well-crafted but a little too much heat to be very drinkable. ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone

On tap. Comes dark brown with a decent tan head. Aroma of roast, dark fruit, and bourbon. Taste is bourbon, roast, wood, and dark fruit. If you like Jack Daniels try this.

Shared 11.2 oz. bottles poured to snifters at Lunar Brewing Co.. Showed a darkest brown color, with modest off white/light tan head foam, and wavey lacing on the glass. The aroma was an interesting combination of roastiness, baker’s chocolate, oak, a touch of bourbon, some spicy/peppery phenols, and just a touch of dark fruit sweetness. Detected a bit of creaminess in the mouthfeel, a medium body, mellow alcohol in the flavor, but a combination of acridity and high carbonation that resulted in a dry but harsh finish.

If you love Jack Daniels or whiskey infused bourbon this is your beer. I taste the oak from the barrels. I enjoyed this beverage very much. The bourbon had a intriguing taste that separated it from other BA brews; It was the Jack that made this beer different. Surprisingly this ale isn’t too strong or overwhelming. I’d purchase this again.

Bottle. Pours a clear dark brown body with a frothy beige head that had decent retention. The nose is showing a fairly subdued barrel character, some light whiskey notes, nice light roastiness, some dark fruits, and a light hint of alcohol. The flavor shows that the barrel aging was done really well, remaining as a complement to the beer rather than the focus. Lots of dark ripe fruits with a subtle roast character. The barrel notes come out nicely on the finish and really do remind me of Jack Daniels. Very well hidden alcohol level. Mouthfeel is a bit overly fizzy or my preference, but it isn’t terribly distracting. Pretty nice beer, I liked it better than the regular version.

Pours dark brown with a medium tan head. Aroma is very light...mildly roasty and slightly sweet. Flavor has mild bourbon and oak...subtle and reserved...nice roastiness. Mouthfeel is medium abd lively with a soft bourbon finish.

Serving: 330 ml. bottle from State Line Liquors. Slight gusher alert! I popped the top on this one and it foamed out of the top immediately. It pours black with ruby highlights and large tan head of loose bubbles. The nose has a sort of strange bread, brown sugar, wood, and a slight Flanders hint to it. Certainly intriguing. The flavor has a lasting whiskey barrel note to it. A light fruitiness and a touch of tartness. Rather unusual. I am not sure how to completely describe this one. Very dry on the palate with a lasting, warming finish. It strikes be as a bit brash and overcarbonated but definitely different and interesting.

Draft, no foam from the pour, black, no lacing. Little smell, can’t discern any particular notes. Flavor is interesting though. A refreshing fruity farmhouse base overlaid with dark, sort of coffee flavor.

330 ml bottle from michael-pollack- thanks again, Pollack! Pours a dark amber-brown with a huge tan head. Aroma of nuts, earth, toast, cola, dark fruits, oak, tobacco, and caramel. Flavor of dark fruits, roasted malts, toasted nuts, caramel, vanilla, and charred oak. Medium-bodied, with high carbonation and a toasty, fruity mouthfeel. Not the most graceful barrel aging, but at the same time the Jack barrel doesn’t overwhelm the Existent base. Adventurous and interesting despite not being my favorite Stillwater offering.