Vintage Alpentraum Rauchweizenbock w/ Jim Beam Oak Chips

Brewed by Vintage Brewing Company
Style: Smoked
Madison, Wisconsin USA

Serve in Dimpled mug, Lager glass, Stein

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On cask at Vintage. Poured near-clear coppery-amber with almost no carbonation evident. The aroma picked up syrupy-sweet chocolate, molasses, and bourbonny sugars upfront with lightly-toasted oak behind.. warm and nicely-balanced. The flavor found sweet bourbon with lesser chocolate and banana at the core.. lightly tangy oak around.. OK, but I’m not sure why they put they bourbon aged this particular beer. Slick and very sweet on the palate, again severely lacking in carbonation.. didn’t flow well.

On cask at the brewpub - Pours clear mahogany with a foamy off-white head. Smell is ton of toffee, a little clove, and some warm booze. Some light smoky notes linger in the distance. Taste is tons of sweet toffee and caramel and nice smooth Jim Beam. Almost tastes like a whiskey ice cream float. Really malty and decadent, with a bit of spiciness. As it warms up, and as I get to the midway point of the pint, it begins to be a little much. Honestly the Jim Beam could be dialed down a couple notches and this would be much better. It does feel pretty good in the mouth with the cask conditioning--lots of little velvety bubbles. Interesting, but just too much whiskey sweetness.