Anderson Valley 'Boont Barl' Bourbon Barrel Amber Ale. 6% abv. 16 IBU. Dark brown color. Two fingers of foamy beige head. Superb retention and lacing. Nose of caramel, bourbon, vanilla. Aroma of sweet bread as the temp drops. Front taste of caramel, sweet orange essence, bourbon back. Aftertaste of bourbon, wood, toffee. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, sticky, sweet alcohol finish.

This is an very good beer - perhaps excellent - that falls short of the greatness that precedes it. I had a lot of high hopes for this beer, and I would certainly drink it again, but I cannot imagine buying it when the other wood-aged beers in their line-up are so extraordinary, let alone those from other breweries.

Anderson Valley first gave us their Bourbon Barrel Stout, a rich stout aged in Wild Turkey bourbon barrels, followed by their seasonal Pinchy Jeek Barl, a malty pumpkin ale version of their first creation. Both beers are outstanding, their base brews more than suitable for wood aging. In comparison, their new Boont Barl is a merely adequate taste amongst such fine barrel-aged beers. I've always considered Boont one of my favorite amber ales, but it is simply not worthy of a barrel program. Barrel-aging doesn't bring Boont remotely close to its world class brethren, or any other similar beer. On its own, there is certainly a lot to love, but it sits low in a growing field of bourbon barrel creations. Try it for yourself, but have a bomber BBS or PJB on hand to ensure a glorious tasting session. Mildly recommended.

From the brewery:

"What began with our flagship Boont Amber Ale and a passion for experimentation has become a unique addition to our Anderson Valley Wild Turkey Barl Series. The six month aging process in third-use Wild Turkey Bourbon barrels imparts flavors of coconut and vanilla and subtle bourbon aromas that are enhanced by a noticeable oak character in the finish. A great accompaniment to fine meals or to be enjoyed on its own, Boont Barl is a truly sessionable barrel-aged beer with finesse."

[source: avbc.com]

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."

I've enjoyed Anderson Valley Bourbon Barrel many times.
Get it on tap when you can. Here I had it at Spokeasy Public House.

On tap at Das Bierhouse in the Tower District

Splitting a bomber of Bourbon Barrel Stout by the fire with friends.

Mammoth Brewing 'Wild Sierra' Farmhouse Ale. 7.5% abv. 30 IBU. Saison. Pours a thin bubbly head that falls to surface quickly, although I am tasting it from a sampling glass. Nose of fruity, with subdued hops. Taste of sweet fruit and brief sprightly hops. Aftertaste is a bright hop that lingers a short stay. Light-medium body, sticky mouthfeel. A good brew to be sure, but not a champion of its category. Many other farmhouse saisons out there to choose before this one. 

From the brewery:

"This beer is a continuation of our quest to produce distinct beers using local indigenous ingredients. Wild Sierra emulates spring in the Sierra with the snow melting out of the forests and giving way to fruity/spicy aromas of the trees with a touch of earthiness from wet soil. Mountain farmhouse style is very alive with active cultures of wild yeast continuously changing the flavor profile. We use Belgian ale yeast, Saison yeast, and wild yeast harvested off of local Piñon Pine needles in the brewing process. Our wild yeast also contains Lactobacillus which lends a refreshing tartness to the beer."

Saranac Wild Hop Pils. 5.2% abv. 28 IBU. Pale gold color. Mild floral hop nose. One finger of head off the pour that drops alarmingly fast. Within two minutes, there is almost no carb or lace at all. Tastes of mild banana, grapefruit, faint hops. Thin body. Mouthfeel is bubbly at first, thin for the remainder. Aftertaste is brief. This beer was a disappointment. I can't imagine buying it again.

From the brewery:

"This unique pilsner is the first to use the Belma hops, discovered growing wild on a farm in the Yakima Valley. Crisp. Refreshing. One of a kind."