Eel River Brewing 'Twenty' 20th Anniversary Bourbon Barrel Aged Triple Exultation Old Ale. Vintage 2015. 11% abv. 80 IBU. Dark ruby color. Hazy. Fine sediment. Finger of foamy beige head that falls fast to a sustaining collar. Fair retention, excellent lacing. 

Nose of molasses, bourbon, vanilla, sweet bread. Front taste is molasses, bourbon, roasted oak, pungent plum. Aftertaste is bourbon, raisin, plum, black coffee, pecans. Dry finish. Full body. Mouthfeel is hot, boozy, astringent, thick, syrupy, sticky, clingy.

This is an extraordinary BBA brew, a decadent offering that demands moderate enjoyment. You don't chug this one. Rich, thick, tall, strong. Starts sweet, ends dry. Plenty of bourbon and oak as promised, bound by dark malty and fruity depths. Wonderful. This is what a BBA should be. Strongly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Our Triple Exultation Old Ale aged 6 months in single pass, white oak bourbon barrels. Rich notes of bourbon, toffee, toasted malt and ripe fruit balanced by an aroma reminiscent of vanilla, oak, molasses, and caramel."

[source: bottle]

Mad River Brewing 'Brewer's Secret' Vanilla Porter Aged in Bourbon Barrels. Artisan Reserve Series. 9% abv. 34 IBU. Dark brown color. Finger of beige small-bead foamy head. Excellent retention and lacing. Nose is sweet, warm brown sugar, bourbon, vanilla. 

Front taste of bourbon, round oak, rich caramel, strong vanilla on the back end. Aftertaste of bright bourbon, toffee, vanilla ribbon across, wood expression on the sustain. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, rich, creamy, boozy.

This is an excellent BBA porter,  decadent treat that tastes and feels almost like soft bourbon vanilla ice cream. The bourbon and wood taste is certainly there, as is the promised vanilla throughout. The aroma is sweet and warm, and the taste builds upon the nose with a creamy body that holds the flavors well. My one nitpick is that it's a little thin for a BBA, but it's no dealbreaker. I would gladly open another bottle of this delight. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"How could we possibly improve on the excellence of our Steelhead Porter? Age it in Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels, with fresh vanilla beans added of course! This limited edition Porter has complex malt characteristics balanced with a mild hop profile, taken to a whole new level by forward notes of bourbon, oak and vanilla. Smoked and peated malts lend added complexity and a mild smokey flavor that melds perfectly with the southern charms of decadent bourbon flavors."

[source: madriverbrewing.com]

Knee Deep 'Lupulin River' Imperial IPA. 8% abv. Golden-honey color. Clear. Finger of foamy white head. Excellent retention and outstanding lacing. Nose of light fruit, pine, sweet bread, bright spice notes. Front taste of floral bitter hops, light fruity malt, slightly sweet, floral back end. Aftertaste is bitter herbal hops, stone fruit, pine, distant cloves. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, bright, sticky back.

This is an excellent beer. The fruity taste is present throughout, balanced with the mix of bitter hops and light malt. There are nice notes of spice and pine from the aroma to the aftertaste. A solid beer worthy of its category. Well recommended.

NOTE: Special thanks for Martin Almanza for the lead photo, and Michael Mendoza for the end photo. Both are fellow members of the Central Valley Craft Beer Drinkers. Cheers!

From the brewery:

"This Double IPA includes Mosaic and Simcoe hops, South American specialty malt, and tons of tastiness. Looks like liquid gold, smells like a bright tropical fruit pine forest, and tastes like all that and more."

[source: kneedeepbrewing.com]

I had Knee Deep Lupulin River on tap at Peeve's Public house. Awesome brew!

The lacing on this beer is divine.

Knee Deep Lupulin has lacing that is a work of art in itself.

Photo courtesy of Michael Mendoza

Eel River Brewing 'Raven's Eye' Imperial Stout. 9.5% abv. 54 IBU. Black color. Two fingers of thick tan head. Superb retention and lacing. Nose of roasted grain, dark chocolate. Front taste of roasted malt, coffee, cocoa powder, sweet prunes. Aftertaste of bittersweet chocolate, tangy dark fruit, sweet malt. Full body. Mouthfeel is slightly sticky, thick, sustaining bitter on the back end.

This is an outstanding beer, full of rich, dark flavors and a perfectly balanced bitter aftertaste. Thanks to my sister for giving this to me as a Xmas gift. Strongly recommended.

From the brewery:

"A rich, roasty brew with a deep espresso character, this Russian Imperial Stout is strong, yet incredibly smooth. Brewed for the Imperial Court in Russia, this style stout is a warm festive drink made with the cold Russian winters in mind."

Knee Deep Brewing 'Deep River' Double IPA. 8% abv. Clear golden color with thin white head off the tap. Retention is low, with the head never more than a collar, but lacing is present throughout. Nose of sweet malt, floral hops, biscuits, faint pine. Front taste of roasted malt, toffee, bright hops, sweet light fruit. Aftertaste is bittersweet, herbal, hoppy, astringent. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm-hot, slightly sticky, alcoholic. 

This beer is an excellent example of a double/imperial IPA, whose taste brings to mind the extraordinary Dust Bowl Therapist and the excellent New Belgium Rampant. In terms of flavor and body, Deep River lives somewhere between the two. It was brewed in a collaboration between Knee Deep Brewing and Kern River Brewing, a partnership I hope births more creations. Highly recommended.

Deep River also comes in bombers, bottled by the Knee Deep side of the collaboration. On the label, the IBU is listed as 'ask Jeremy or Kyle' referring to the two brewmasters involved, Jeremy Warren (Knee Deep) and Kyle Smith (Kern River). 

From the brewery:

"Here’s a new co-brew coming from Knee Deep & Kern River Brewing. This Double IPA will be packaged in 22oz bottles and it will come in at 8% ABV…and if you want the IBU you have to 'ask Jeremy or Kyle.' "

I enjoyed Deep River on tap at Spokeasy Public House.

Deep River also comes in bombers, bottled by the Knee Deep side of the collaboration. Note that the label lists the IBU as 'ask Jeremy or Kyle' referring to the two brewmasters involved.