Founders Brewing 'KBS' Bourbon Barrel-Aged Chocolate Coffee Stout. 12.3% abv. Black color, dense, with thin mocha head that fast falls to a sustaining collar and scattered surface. Moderate retention, decent lacing. Nose of bourbon, charred oak, dark chocolate, vanilla. The bourbon aroma steps forward as the temp rises.

Front taste is bittersweet chocolate, black coffee, plum, with vanilla and wood notes on the back end. Aftertaste is tall bourbon, bitter cocoa, raisins, molasses, with a dry finish. Full body. Mouthfeel is warm-hot, round, creamy, sticky, viscous, astringent, boozy.

Two of my recent reviews were also Founders beers, with one being a surprisingly solid experimental wood-aged red, while the other turned out to be one of the worst beers I’ve had in years. Comparing notes with other beer enthusiasts, it would appear that Founders is one of those breweries that is bold and fearless to a fault, so daring that it affects their batting average. They’re hit-and-miss, particularly with their novelty offering. However, I went into today’s review unafraid, as it’s not only one of their classics, but one of THE classics of modern craft beer, a benchmark of its category.

Simply put, this is an extraordinary, big, rich, full beer, a true BBA stout, with a boozy aroma and flavor profile supported by chocolate and coffee, wrapped with a mouthfeel you can sink your teeth into. This is a sipping beer. A dessert beer. It’s meant to be a an occasional decadent treat with a complex taste, and it delivers on its promise.

Consistently ranked as one of the best beers in the world, this beer now has battalions of competitors who have met or exceeded its high standard. That being said, even in this day of bourbon-barrel aging mania, in a time when every brewery is experimenting with a barrel program, and mostly succeeding, KBS is still a knockout and a standout, still one of the best, with quality and craftsmanship evident in every sip and sniff. I’m sure you’ve had this famous brew before, but regardless, I highly encourage you to seek it out and let it warm you inside-out during a cold winter. Strongly recommended.

From the brewery:

"What we’ve got here is an imperial stout brewed with a massive amount of coffee and chocolates, then cave-aged in oak bourbon barrels for an entire year to make sure wonderful bourbon undertones come through in the finish. Makes your taste buds squeal with delight."

[source: foundersbrewing.com]

Founders Brewing 'Dankwood' Imperial Red IPA 2018. Aged in Bourbon Barrels. 12.2% abv. 65 IBU. Deep ruby color with two fingers of thick, frothy, off-white head. Outstanding retention and superb lacing that sticks to the glass all the way down. Nose of maple syrup, oak, bourbon, bright floral hops. The bourbon aroma stands tall at the temp rises.

Front taste is fruit pastry, vanilla, bourbon, roasted malt. Aftertaste is strong bourbon, herbal and citrus hops, wood and botanical notes sustain on the back end. Full body. Mouthfeel is hot, sticky, clingy, astringent, boozy, woodsy.

This is an excellent beer, a big, boozy, barrel brew that attempts to balance the hop forward profile of an IPA and the amber malty backbone of a red ale with a nearly piercing oak and whiskey expression. It is one of the most complex flavor profiles I've tasted in a long time. Take note that this is a unique taste that will surely put off fans of those individual categories, but will sure to please connoisseurs of experimental beers that grab you firmly by the tongue. This beer is unafraid to combine the towering strengths of three completely different beers in one glass. If you welcome huge, complex taste, this is for you. Strongly recommended.


From the brewery:

"What do you get when a big, bold imperial red IPA meets an oak bourbon barrel? A palate stunner that’ll send your senses spinning or, as we like to call it, Dankwood. Rich caramel notes emerge from the depths of the IPA, highlighting strong malt character while the bourbon barrel-aging develops the complexity. A dank, sticky and slightly sweet sipper, Dankwood is the perfect alchemy of wood and hops... Dankwood is the third release of 2018 in the Barrel-Aged Series, preceded by KBS and Backwoods Bastard, our newest year-round beer."

[source: foundersbrewing.com]

New Belgium 'Oakspire' Bourbon Barrel Ale. 9% abv. 20 IBU. Honey-orange color with a thick, white, foamy head. Excellent retention and lacing. Nose of mild bourbon, vanilla, brown sugar. Herbal notes and dank fruit emerge as the temp rises.

Front taste is bourbon, maple, charred oak, bitter walnut. Aftertaste is roasted nuts, herbal hops, leather, strong bourbon on the back end, particularly when the temp reaches room. Dry finish. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, boozy, tangy, carby, round.

This is an outstanding beer, one with a lot of flavor and character for such a simple ale. It is marked as a "bourbon barrel ale," but take note that this is not actually aged in former bourbon barrels. It's aged with oak spirals and charred wood that once lived within such a coveted barrel. The difference is cost - and complexity - but the lovely taste is still something to savor. The profile of bourbon and wood are clear and present, with the mild boozy tones balanced well. For a budget version BBA, this is a winner. Well recommended.


From the brewery:

"A limited-edition collaboration between New Belgium and Knob Creek, Oakspire is a unique bourbon barrel ale aged with bourbon-steeped oak spirals and char from inside the barrel. Smooth notes of toffee, vanilla and caramel wrap up with a pleasantly warm finish. Oakspire: Where innovation meets tradition."

[source: newbelgium.com]

Almanac Beer Co. 'Pumpkin Pie de Brettaville' Saison. 7% abv. Orange in color. Hazy. Thin white bubbly head that dissipates alarmingly fast. Poor retention, no lacing at all. Nose of tart berry, pungent peach, wine vinegar. Sour aroma steepens as the temp rises.

Front taste is sour citrus, red wine, sweet pumpkin, bright spice, cloves, vegetal on the back end with a bitter sweet finish. Aftertaste is tart stone fruit, cinnamon, nutmeg, notes of caramel, squash, faint wood expression underneath. Medium body. Mouthfeel is cool, thick, juicy, clingy, yeasty, sour funk.

This is a pungent, juicy, sour beer with a myriad of spice and fruit flavors. The promised pumpkin is here, but you have to hunt for it, while the oak expression is nearly absent. The dominant flavors are tart fruit and red wine. If you were to taste this blindfolded, you'd think it was a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon with slightly rotted fruit tossed in. As harsh as that sounds, it appears to some, while turning off others. I belong to the latter group, though I admit I still haven't fully adapted my palate to sour beers. 

Regardless of the flavors, the beer was not crafted very well, likely due to the Brettanomyces yeast, which tends to be a wild card in brewing. The head retention and lacing were virtually absent, and there is no attempt to balance the flavors. 

To be clear, this is not one of those quasi-sour beers that can be enjoyed by all. It's a full-bore sour, squarely meant for those who have fully acquired a taste for sour brew. If you are a sour fan, you'll love this beer. If you are a hop head or a malt maniac, or a fruit fan, you might want to pass on this one. It's a solid beer for its category. Take that as you will. Mildly recommended.


From the brewery:

"Farm to Barrel. Farmhouse ale aged in oak barrels with roasted heirloom pumpkin and spices."

[source: bottle]

"Pumpkin Pie de Brettaville is a magical mix of barrel- aging and the rich flavors of autumn. We start with heirloom pumpkins from Bodega Bay and roast them whole to create a deep sugary caramelization. We add the pumpkins to a bright brettanomyces-fermented beer, and then age it in oak casks with a selection of our favorite pumpkin pie spices; whole vanilla beans, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. Finally we blend the barrels back together to create a cohesive whole with rich layers of oak, spice and caramelized pumpkin. Pair this complex sipper alongside autumn campfires, turning leaves and one extra slice of mom’s Thanksgiving pie... Our Farm to Barrel beers focus on the eons-old tradition of aging beers in oak barrels, and our de Brettaville saisons expand upon this tradition by highlighting the magical properties of wild brettanomyces yeast. We start by brewing a bright and aromatic farmhouse ale with a blend of twelve 'brett' yeast strains. After a vigorous primary fermentation, the beer is racked into wine barrels to mature. In cask, the beer takes on the complex flavors of the oak, and the brettanomyces yeast creates an exotic melange of earthy funk and tropical fruit flavors. This wild ale is alive in the bottle and will continue to mature for years."

[source: almanacbeer.com]

This is the head immediate after pour. It fell alarmingly fast.

This is the head about 30 seconds after the pour.

This is the head (or lack thereof) less than two minutes after the pour.

Foundation 'Charter Oak' Grande. CT Broadleaf. 6x60. Excellent construction with well subdued veins and ends. Medium-dark brown wrap with darker shades. Cut and lit well. Straight cut provided an easy draw pre- and post-flame. The wrapped foot roasted well, readying the cigar promptly. 

First third tastes of cedar, almond, faint sweet bread, earthy spice on the exhale. Second third includes fresh leaf, pepper notes, walnut, botanical herbal. Final third has more wood expression, further walnut and pepper but still balanced well. 

Mouthfeel was creamy from midway through the first third, continuing well to the band. Overall taste was mild-plus, round, balanced. Ash was clean, holding two inches with ease. Burn was mostly even, particularly in the second third, with little maintenance on my part. 

This is an excellent cigar at any price point, but stands tall within its value range. It smokes and tastes like an exclusive, expensive cigar. It’s also one of those smokes that has no “put it down” point. It never goes over the cliff with strong bitter pepper. From end to end, it’s rich, creamy, woodsy, spiced, and slightly sweet, developing a balance throughout. 

The combination of Connecticut broadleaf with Nicaraguan fill makes for a medium-to-full bodied smoke with an inviting rich taste that’s bold but not overpowering, a taste that both a long-time connoisseur and a first-timer can agree upon. A superb smoke that made for a nice lunchtime break. Highly recommended.

From the company:

"Foundation Cigar President Nick Melillo announces the completion of his newest brand, Charter Oak, set for release at the 2016 IPCPR Show in Las Vegas. Charter Oak also pays tribute to Melillo’s grandfather, who while earning a modest salary working for the Winchester Repeating Arms factory after WWII, smoked exclusively, broadleaf cigars manufactured by FD Graves on State St, while, no joke, Rick Ardito’s grandfather, a guard at Winchester, also smoked FD Graves biggest selling broadleaf, Muniemakers."

[source: foundationcigarcompany.com]

Traquair House Brewery 'House Ale' Fermented in Oak Barrels. 7.2% abv. Dark ruby color, finger of ivory creamy head. Good retention, moderate lace. Head recedes to a thick sustaining collar. Nose of soft white bread, nutty malt, with floral hops and faint stone fruit as the temp changes. 

Front taste of toffee, candy sugar, light bitter fruit, oak expression on the back end. Aftertaste is caramel, vanilla, earthy, wood sustain. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, soft, creamy, carby.

This is an excellent Scotch ale. There are plenty of malt and light fruit notes, along with mild bitter hop notes, all atop an oak expression that just barely emerges as the temp rises to room. The feel is very soft, with a creamy nearly foamy presence. I would have liked a little more carb and lace, but these are nitpicks for an otherwise wonderful and well-crafted old world ale. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"The original ale first brewed in 1965 and now sold all over the world. Perhaps the most distinctive Scottish ale on the market, and with its rich dark oakiness, this is a serious winter ale… Serious alcohol and fruity malt on the nose and delicious plum pie and vanilla flavours with a little oak and amontillado sherry character."

[source: traquair.co.uk]

"A handmade ale brewed in the ancient brew house of the oldest inhabited house in Scotland…  Traquair House Ale is a traditional Scotch ale or ‘Wee Heavy’ produced at the tiny Traquair House Brewery, located in the oldest inhabited house in Scotland. Brewed in a 1738 copper kettle and fermented in oak vessels, it is rich, complex and deep with firm but elegant flavor."

[source: bottle]

Out Of Bounds Brewing 'The Prophet' Oak Aged Stout. 6.8% abv. 55 IBU. Black in color with two fingers of beige foamy head. Excellent retention and lace. Nose of mild bourbon, light wood, chocolate. Notes of herbs and cocoa powder emerge in the aroma as the temp rises. Front taste of dark malt, toffee, dark fruit, oak on the back end. Aftertaste of bitter herbal hops, bittersweet dark chocolate, vanilla sustain. Medium body. Mouthfeel is creamy, carby, clingy tail.

This is a good wood-aged stout in a world full of great ones. Flavors of dark chocolate, dried fruit, and bitter hops are surely present, but complemented by only mild bourbon and faint oak tastes. I would have like a much greater expression of oak and perhaps a consistent ribbon of bourbon throughout.

My guess is that when "bourbon oak" is mentioned on the label, it's not the spirit that's being referenced but rather the type of wood being used. If so, that's easy confusion on my part, but it influenced my critique nonetheless. The label also describes this as a full-bodied brew, but I peg it firmly as medium in body.

Despite my nitpicks, this beer hits most of its notes well. I ended it wanting more, which is always a good sign, but know that there are plenty of other wood-aged beers to try before getting to this one. Recommended.

From the brewery:

"Few can bring a message that can change the minds and hearts of the masses. Bearing a bend of the forbidden, The Prophet brings the gift of a full-bodied West coast stout, plentiful with hops and chocolate notes and then aged with bourbon oak. Even fewer care whether they share The Prophet’s message with others and would rather keep it all to themselves. Enjoy this stout with the worthy, or indulge in it all by yourself. Be a chosen one!"

[source: bottle]

Innis & Gunn Brewing 'Highland Ale' Oak Aged Scotch Ale. 7.4% abv. Copper color. Clear. Finger of foamy tan head. Excellent retention and lace. Nose of scotch, vanilla, oak background. Front taste of toffee, scotch, vanilla, oak, honey back end. Aftertaste is floral, honey, golden raisins, round sweet finish. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, thick, clingy on the tounge.

This is a superb wood-aged beer. Its scotch whiskey taste comes through at every point, smooth, round, with slightly sweet wood notes. There is a touch of honey behind the aftertaste and a warm mouthfeel just shy of hot. This beer is aged in oak chips rather than within a barrel, which helps make it an exceptional value in its category, coming in at 1/4 the usual price. This beer makes me want to try their other offerings, all wood aged. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Following the lengthy time it's spent mellowing over oak, the beer has developed a fragrant aroma of spice and rich toffee. The wood has also imparted notes of heather-honey, raisins and marzipan, making for a beautifully-balanced, complex ale, capped with a deeply smooth finish."

[source: innisandgunn.com]

"At Innis & Gunn we've discovered over time that the key to imparting great depth of flavour lies in finding a perfect match between beer and the oak that we choose. After that, it's a rare combination of the brewers' time-served expertise and the patience and respect they have for the mystical process of oak maturation. Perhaps it will come as no surprise then that our brewers, like our beers, benefit from a degree of maturity and a commitment to the hands-on, nose-in approach that they've been mastering over the years. It takes experience, and lots of sampling, to know when the beer has achieved the perfect point in terms of flavour, complexity and balance and is ready for bottling. Innis & Gunn Highland Ale perfectly demonstrates all of these factors at work and is one we're particularly proud to put our name to. Following the lengthy time it's spent mellowing over oak, the beer has developed a fragrant aroma of spice and rich toffee. The wood has also imparted notes of heather-honey, raising and marina, making for a beautifully-balanced, complex ale, capped with a deeply smooth finish."

[source: packaging]

Stillwater Artisanal 'Surround' Imperial Oak-Smoked Wheat Stout. 10% abv. Black in color. Two fingers of thick foamy mocha head. Outstanding retention and lacing. Nose of roasted malt, dark chocolate, smokey, dark wood. Front taste of bittersweet dark chocolate, raisins, plum, smoked grain, caramel underneath. Aftertaste of dried dark fruit, botanical bitter herbal, plum, notes of cloves. Full body. Mouthfeel is thick, creamy, astringent, dry finish.

This is an exceptional beer that pulls no punches. The dark chocolate and heavy bitter fruit flavors are held together in a dense, creamy body with an inviting aroma that never subsides. Roasty, malty, herbal, and very smoky, this is a bold beer that steps over traditional flavor profiles. An outstanding innovative brew from an always-interesting artisanal brewery. Strongly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Like a sound system that fills the room with audibles swarming in every direction. This massive stout overtakes your senses with aromas & flavor of dark chocolate, caramel, roast, smoke, earth & wood, It's heavy I know, but you have to drop that bass every once in a while if you really wanna get down."

[source: stillwater-artisanal.com]

Lengthwise Brewing 'Zeus' Barrel Aged Imperial Ale. 9.7% abv. Hazy honey color. Thin beige head. Excellent retention and superb sweet lacing. Nose of rich caramel, toasted malt, light bourbon. Front taste of toffee, brown sugar, roasted grain. Aftertaste is where the bourbon is best tasted, along with warm brown sugar, background sweet light fruit, and sweet bread. Medium-full body. Mouthfeel is warm-hot, thick, sweet finish.

This is the barrel aged version of their excellent Zeus Imperial IPA, which I had the pleasure of tasting a few months ago. This barrel aged version had the potential of rising well above its original, but a slight flaw keeps it from being extraordinary. The sweet malty flavors are dominant over the bourbon notes, which is actually to some beer drinkers' liking, but the wood/barrel expression is simply not there. There are notes of toasty malt which may have been influence by the oak, but these are negligible. Personally, I like a little more 'wood' in my barrel aged beers. Regardless, this is definitely worth your time, particularly if you like bourbon brews. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Also known as Zeus on Oak, this smoky flavored brew is aged several months in recently emptied bourbon whiskey barrels from Heaven Hill Distilleries."

[source: lengthwise.com]

Hangar 24 Brewing 'Hammerhead' 2012 Barleywine Style Ale. 13.8% abv. 83 IBU. Hazy dark brown color. Thin tan head that retains a nice collar. Good retention and lace. Nose is rich sweet malt, raisin, warm brown sugar, toffee. Front taste of caramel, oak, bittersweet dark chocolate, spicy bright fruity hops. Aftertaste of caramel, bright herbal hops, pungent fruit. Full body. Mouthfeel is thick, sticky, pungent, chewy.

This is an outstanding brew. The flavor profile is complex and deep, with rich roasted malt, warm sweet tones, bright fruit, woods, and a river of bourbon running underneath it all. This is one of those superbly crafted decadent beers where every sip makes me tilt my head back and mutter to myself how goddamn good it is. Hammerhead is the fourth in Hangar 24's 'Barrel Roll' series.  Strongly recommended.

NOTE: Special thanks to Tim McMahon of the Central Valley Craft Beer Drinkers for the end photo.

From the brewery:

"A well executed HAMMERHEAD is smooth and dramatic. This beer is no exception. Hammerhead is a big, complex, American-style Barleywine featuring two English caramel malts and four American hops. Hammerhead’s character is enhanced by dry hopping and then aging the deep amber liquid for six months in charred oak rye whiskey and bourbon barrels. Spicy aromas spill from the glass: rich caramel, citrusy hops, bourbon and oak. Layered flavors of toffee, vanilla, brown sugar, spice and rye whiskey lead to a warm and slightly bitter finish. This is a strong ale, meant to be sipped, savored and enjoyed."

[source: hangar24brewery.com]

I was lucky enough to enjoy Hammerhead on tap after a barrel-aged beer event at Peeve's Pub.

Photo courtesy of Tim McMahon of Central Valley Craft Beer Drinkers