FoBAB. Considering its heritage (a big hoppy monster of an american style BW), I was surprised to see just how subtle this beer became. The brownish red cloudy beer has minimal head and a soft sweet aroma. The bourbon was evident, though not overpowering. While the cherries came through they blended nicely with the toffee and vanilla overtones throughout the beer. This was one of my first samples and really became the benchmark for the others to attain. A few did, but this was a nice start that would only get better with a bit of age in the bottle.

FoBAB 2007: Deep ruby hued with an oily leg and minimal head. The aroma has notes of spice and bourbon, cherry pits (but not cherry juice), maple, tobacco, grassy hops, and an earthy ester.

WOW, a nice cherry driven tartness cuts straight through the malty Behemoth base beer, wonderful complexity IMO. There is a lush marzipan and nutty note as well before leading off towards an oaky and slight bourbon finish. The mouth feel is lush, warming, aggressive. A full mouth feel which complemented the flavor profile.

A work of art, congrats to the brothers Floyd. It is a shame this did not medal, what in the heck were they drinking?

On tap 12/30/07 at the brewpub. On the way back to NC, decided to make a 2nd stop during a 3 day trip. Good for me. When we pulled in on the night of the 27th, this was not available. However on the 30th she magically appeared. Though it was noon and we had an 11 hour drive ahead of us, I immediately ordered this beer upon seeing it on the chalkboard/taplist. Hell, we just drove by Soldier Field and the kickoff to the Bears game happened to be on the big screen, so what the hell? On to....the beer (finally)....This poured from the tap with no head whatsoever. Needless to say, I am very excited to try this beer. Aroma is of bourbon, carmelized cherries, big alcohol and toffee notes. Taste is that of the regular Behemoth accentuated by the bourbon, tartness of the cherry and an almost Jack Daniels-kind-of-sour whiskey. The warmth of the oak/alcohol and tartness of the cherry linger pleasently. Really interesting. Not very well balanced, but still, somehow, smooth and easy-drinking (for a sipper). Who am I to criticize? Though I was priveleged to try this, believe me, it shall not inhibit my rating....Lies!!!

On tap at the brewpub. Pours murky, muddy brown, with trace amounts of off white head. The nose features wood, light burbon, and a scant amount of syrupy cherry. The flavor is some woody dryness, bourbon heat, and a bit of cherry sweetness. I think I get some of the original hops here as well. Fuller fody. Medium carbonation. Dry warm finish. Really good stuff.

I could see settling down for the evening with a few snifters of this one. Not pretty to look at, a headless, cloudy, near murky brown... but what aroma and flavor. It smelled warm, if possible, with scents of sweet cherries, pale malts, vanilla, and a touch of booziness. Very smooth drinking, warm with a light bitterness filling the mouth. It tasted of toffee, cherries, vanilla, soft nuts, oak, and alcohol, all skillfully blended together. This should have come in tops at the festival.

Festival of Barrel Aged Beers, Chicago, IL 11/03/2007