Anderson Valley 'Bourbon Barrel' Stout. 6.9% abv. 14 IBU. Dark brown nearly black in color. A finger of beige head off the tap. Moderate retention. Half-inch collar with good lace. Malty nose with bourbon and vanilla notes. Big malt flavor up front, caramel, toffee. Aftertaste has strong bourbon flavors, complex mix of the Wild Turkey, coffee, hints of chocolate. Bourbon bite lingers in place of hops. Medium-full body. Mouthfeel is warm, thick, coating the tongue.
This beer is exceptional. Another wonderful creation from one of my favorite breweries, and one of the first and better bourbon-infused beers around. Highly recommended.
From the brewery:
"Anderson Valley Wild Turkey Bourbon Barrel Stout. Aged for three months in Wild Turkey Bourbon barrels, this luxurious stout has a deep ebony hue and a beautiful mahogany head. The woody, vanilla-like notes imparted by the barrels mingle with aromas of fresh baked bread, toffee, and espresso and envelop the rich chocolate and roasted barley flavors with a fine bourbon character. Our exclusive partnership with Wild Turkey gives us a world class, consistent source of barrelage, allowing our brewers to explore new frontiers in barrel-aged craft beer. Since its introduction, Wild Turkey has maintained a distinctive distillation and aging process that gives it a smooth taste and a lingering flavor. They also use differentiated process whereby the bourbon is distilled at a low proof to seal in its flavors. Very little water is added to the bourbon, resulting in a full-flavored authentic taste similar to what one would get straight out of the barrel. Wild Turkey is a genuine drink with a sought after “burn” that comes from its high proof, an attribute fundamental to the brand and critical in maintaining its authentic bourbon characteristics."
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| I've enjoyed Anderson Valley Bourbon Barrel many times. Get it on tap when you can. Here I had it at Spokeasy Public House. |
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| On tap at Das Bierhouse in the Tower District |
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| Splitting a bomber of Bourbon Barrel Stout by the fire with friends. |
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