Black Diamond 'Peak XV' Bourbon Barrel Imperial Porter. 8.5% abv. 30 IBU. Black in color with a finger of tan foamy head. Superb retention and lacing. Nose of bourbon, caramel, vanilla, plum. Toasty bread notes as the temp rises. 

Front taste of bitter dark chocolate, dark fruit, red wine, toast and jam. Aftertaste is vanilla cream, dried fruit, bourbon, vanilla on the back end, slight wood expression all across. Medium body. Mouthfeel is hot, creamy, tangy, sticky, boozy.

This is an excellent BBA brew, a blend that is 25% BBA. You can tell from the overall taste that this beer is not completely from a barrel. Still, the promised bourbon taste is there, especially on the onset, while the wood flavor is faint and only detectable behind the aftertaste. Tons of dried dark fruit - almost sour fruit - tie together the notes of caramel, vanilla, and bready malt. For my taste, this is a little light in body for a BBA - even a blend - and the fruit is a touch pungent, walking close to sour territory. However, my overall impression is positive. I enjoyed this beer and would surely have another. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Wherein we take our rich, luscious Peak XV Imperial Porter and set it down in Bourbon barrels for a little happy time (sometimes when you are waiting, time does not fly).. Bourbon and vanilla are a natural combo and the wood ageing smoothes the chocolate, further blending it with the malt flavors and adding wonderful depth. A true fireside winter warmer this one, we remain amazed at how great this beer is in an ice-cream/porter float."

[source: blackdiamondbrew.com]

"Subtle undertones of vanilla are brought forth using multiple sources of whole vanilla beans, followed by a stupendous nose of dark chocolate - provided by locally sourced cocoa nibs. The flavor is massive chocolate, creamy vanilla, toasty and malty. The finish is epic."
[source: bottle]

Lost Abbey 'My Black Parade' Bourbon Barrel Aged Strong Ale. 12.5% abv. Solid black color with thin beige creamy head. Moderate retention, nice lace. Nose of dried dark fruit, molasses, red wine berries, bourbon on the end. Aromas of vanilla and sweet chili emerge as the temp rises.

Front taste of dark chocolate, sweet chilies, vanilla, wood notes in the sustain. A merged sweet taste of chocolate and chili comes through as the temp adjusts. Aftertaste is chili peppers, red wine, whiskey ribbon, spiced cocoa, with a dry astringent finish. Full body. Mouthfeel is hot, creamy, boozy, sticky.

This is a superb BBA whose twist of flavor is clear and welcome. The complex flavor profile dances with abundant chocolate, vanilla, bourbon, and the ever present chili taste which is sweet and spicy but never hot. Any heat from this big beer comes from its 12% abv. and the bourbon expression from start to finish, supported by a foundation of wood notes throughout. A wonderful original and audacious beer. I urge you to seek out this gem, especially if you enjoy BBAs and experimental brews.,Strongly recommended,

From the brewery:

"In anticipation of Dia De Los Muertos and inspired by the profound flavors of Mexican Chocolate, The Lost Abbey will be releasing it’s newest and very limited celebratory creation; My Black Parade. Continuing The Lost Abbey’s trend in being inspired by worldly religious-based stories, My Black Parade tells the story of unrequited love being remembered each year on Dia De Los Muertos. A crowd of believers, that grows with each procession, making a yearly pilgrimage to an unmarked grave, waiting for true love to show up. 

"A blended Bourbon barrel-aged Strong Ale with cocoa nibs, vanilla bean and spices, My Black Parade will be limited to only 60 cases with all inventory sold online through The Lost Abbey Website. Pouring darker than a moonless night, My Black Parade begins with a deep bouquet of rich chocolate and layered hints of cinnamon and oak. Huge flavors of cocoa on the palate with notes of vanilla, bourbon, and tobacco, finishing with crisp bite from the smoked chili’s and cardamom."

[source: lostabbey.com]

Humboldt Brewing 'Black Xantus' Imperial Stout. 11% abv. 60 IBU. Black in color. Two fingers of thick mocha head. Sustaining head gradually recedes to a reliable collar. Outstanding retention and lacing. Nose of port, bourbon, ground coffee, bitter dark fruit. 

Front taste of dark sweet malt, red wine berries, burnt brown sugar, wood notes and bourbon ribbon underneath throughout. Aftertaste is sweet black coffee, bittersweet berries, treacle, hot and dry finish. Full body. Mouthfeel is hot, boozy, thick, syrupy, clingy, astringent sustain.

This is an extraordinary beer, a decadent barrel-aged beast that manages to be sweet, savory, and boozy all at once. The bourbon is certainly there throughout, as are heavy wine and coffee flavors, all thick and sweet with a vapory dry finish. I've been craving BBA's lately, and this is certainly a keeper. This big beer makes me want to have another, and to explore the rest of the lineup from Humboldt. Strongly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Our Imperial Stout is infused with fair-trade, organic coffee from a local roaster, Jobella, and aged for 6 months in a combination of Bourbon, retired Firestone Union and wine barrels. Black Xantus packs a powerful punch. Hungry? This brew would go great with dessert… or as dessert."

[source: humboldtbrewingco.com]

Mikkeller 'Black Hours Stout' Bourbon Barrel Stout. 6% abv. Black color. Finger+ of small-bead mocha head. Excellent retention and superb lace. Nose of dark malt, black coffee. Front taste of bitter herb, mild coffee, cocoa powder. Aftertaste is burnt herb, dank bittersweet dark chocolate. Medium body. Mouthfeel is astringent, medicinal, tangy.

This beer is a surprising disappointment. At one of my local bottle shops, I chose Black Hours out of a selection of other similar beers because:

1) I love barrel-aged brew
2) I love bourbon-infused taste
3) I love Mikkeller

Sadly, this beer was lacking in all three areas. There are no wood notes or bourbon flavor, not in the aroma nor the taste. Forgetting the bourbon barrel for a moment, if I were to judge this beer simply as a category stout, I would still merely rate the overall impression as fair or passing. It's pedestrian as a standard stout, much less a supposedly bourbon-infused barrel-aged one. Mikkeller usually hits home runs, but this beer is a reminder that even the most gifted brewery has its duds.

Black Hours Stout beer was a collaboration between Mikkeller and musician Hamilton Leithauser. If you are a fan of Leithauser, only then would you perhaps want to try this beer, if only to taste something that your favorite musician helped create. If Leithauser truly had a hand in the creation of this beer, I suggest he revisit his recipe and have another go at it. Until then, pass on this one.

From the brewery:

"Bourbon BA dry stout. Brewed at D’Proef in Belgium."

[source: mikkeller.dk]

The excellent head retention and lacing are just about all this beer had going for it.

Buffalo Bill's Brewery 'Black Pumpkin' Oatmeal Stout. 7.5% abv. Dark brown, near black. Two fingers of foamy tan head. Outsranding retention, excellent lace. Nose of sweet bread, pumpkin pie, vanilla. Front taste of roasted malt, oats, caramel. Aftertaste of pumpkin, vegetal, herbal hops sustain. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, creamy, silly, carby, tingly from the spice.

This is an excellent pumpkin beer. The flavor profile approaches pumpkin pie and its trimmings, with a sweet cream/bread taste behind the abundant pumpkin spice. The oatmeal shines through from the first sip, providing a silky feel and toasty grainy taste. This is an oatmeal beer first, pumpkin second. That being said, this is one of the better pumpkin beers I've had this season. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"A creamy oatmeal stout layered with pumpkin, spice, and chocolate accents. Black Pumpkin Oatmeal Stout boasts a rich roasted malt flavor, subtle sweetness and 7.5% ABV."

[source: buffalobillsbrewery.com]

Deschutes Brewery 'Black Butte' Porter. 5.2% abv. 30 IBU. Black in color. Two+ fingers of light brown foamy head. Outstanding retention and lacing. Nose of cocoa powder, roasted malt. Front taste of semi-sweet chocolate, earthy hops, mild bitter, herbal on the back end. Aftertaste is dark chocolate, bittersweet dark fruit, distant plum, floral sustain. Medium-full body. Mouthfeel is warm, creamy, rich, foamy.

This is an outstanding porter, a modern classic. The flavors of chocolate and dark fruits are balanced well yet still have a bold profile, with each flavor distinct, particularly in the aftertaste, which is more complex than most beers in this category. Very rich and creamy, a delight for any porter fan. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"With a dark beer as our first and flagship brand, Black Butte defined Deschutes as a radical player. A slight hop bitterness up front enhances the distinctive chocolate and roasted finish. It’s prized for its creamy mouthfeel and intense complex flavors."

[source: deschutesbrewery.com]

"An opening volley, this pioneering dark ale signaled Deschutes' renegade intentions. Its creamy mouthfeel, complex layers, hop edge and chocolate finish personify passion-forward brewing."

[source: bottle]

Black Ops 'Bayonet Brown' Ale. 6.5% abv. 36 IBU. Dark brown in color. Finger of tan head. Good retention and excellent lace. Nose is sweet, dark malt, roasty, nutty, distant herbal. Front taste is caramel, dark brown sugar, bittersweet cocoa on the back. Aftertaste is earthy, nutty, sweet malt with slight bitter sustain. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, rich, sweet finish.

This is a solid brown ale. Rich, sweet, nutty, roasty. Minimal hop presence, which is to category but it may or may not be to your liking. I personally like some hop profile to my browns, but this brew is still quite pleasing. Recommended.

From the brewery:

"A Chocolate based American Brown Ale using a dark roasted barley."

[source: blackopsbrewing.com]

Drake's Brewing Black Robusto Porter. 6.3% abv. 40 IBU. Black color with two fingers of beige head. Excellent retention and superb lacing. Nose of faint roasted grain, coffee notes. Front taste of dark chocolate, plum, bitter hops on the back. Aftertaste of bitter dark fruit, cocoa powder, sweet malt. Big body. Mouthfeel is alcoholic, thick, sticky.

This is an excellent porter with a bold flavor profile that offers more complexity than most beers in this category. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"A deep, dark 'Robust Porter,' a beer style known for being darker, fuller-bodied, and higher in alcohol by volume than a standard Brown Porter. Our Black Robusto goes down smoothly with flavors of bittersweet chocolate and slight roast from Crystal and Chocolate malt. A touch of spicy, herbal hop character from Willamette hops balances out the finish. Enjoy a pint with dark, lingering satisfaction. Available Year Round... Drake’s Black Robusto Porter is a Robust Porter kicked up to Drake’s standards. Dark and brooding with a little heft in the body and the alcohol content, this is the type of beer necessary to tackle the chill of the fog when it rolls into the East Bay. As is our style at Drake’s, the Black Robusto still finishes relatively dry with hints of bittersweet chocolate and coffee lasting into the finish."
[source: drinkdrakes.com]

Outstanding lace on this 'robust' porter.

Monkey Paw Brewing 'Lab Monkey' Dark Edition. American IPA. 6.5% abv. 65 IBU. Black in color. One finger of thick head off the tap. Outstanding retention and superb lace. The head almost never falls, giving you nearly a finger all the way down. Nose is a floral hoppy bouquet. Front taste is malt and bright ample fresh hops. Aftertaste is a balance of strong hop bitter. This is the "dark edition" of their American IPA. A great brew that is sure to please hop heads. Recommended.

From the brewery:

"Our experimental IPA series is constantly evolving. The first several batches will have a very light malt base with a touch of rye. The hop profile will change significantly with each iteration. Our latest version, released in mid July, is 100% Cascade. We love this classic hop and wanted to express its beauty without any interference. Juicy, citrus driven yet clean and refreshing. This beer is awesome with tacos or a blair steak!"

This was the first time I've had a beer with 100% retention.
A finger of head all the way to the bottom of the glass.

Like the head, the lacing went all the way down to the bottom.
I've never had a beer do this before.

Uinta Brewing 'Labyrinth' Barrel-Aged Quadruple Black Ale. 13.2% abv. 56 IBU. Imperial Stout. Color is ultra black. Thick brown head of cream with excellent retention and long lace. Aromas of chocolate, oak, and licorice. Tastes like a rich complex chocolate stout with hops, toffee, coffee, and chocolate. Aftertaste of toffee and licorice. This is a decadent, extraordinary Imperial Stout that I would gladly have again.

From the brewery:

"Enter the Labyrinth, a multi-dimensional black ale. Discover the complex intermingling of black licorice and toasted oak. Seek the subtle hints of bittersweet chocolate. Explore pairing Labyrinth with flavorful cheeses and rich desserts."

Labyrinth comes corked in a big wine bottle, which usually suggests that this brew can be aged further for more complexity in flavor.  

The head on Labyrinth is extraordinary. Thick, rich, creamy, as if it came from a nitro can or tap.