The Pike Brewing Company 2015 Pike Entire Wood-Aged Stout
What the brewers say
“Smooth and chocolaty, reminiscent of small-batch bourbon with its vanilla and wood overtones. Aged in Woodinville Whiskey barrels, which impart creamy vanilla and whiskey flavors.”
What our panel thought
Aroma: “A unique nose, with hints of port, dark chocolate, cherry, and an underlying earthiness, almost mushroom-like. Some toffee, vanilla, and roast in the back. Very low ester profile.”
Flavor: “Strong dark roast throughout blends with dark coffee and dark chocolate. Vanilla underneath rounds out things at the end with a touch of sweetness. The mushroom notes from the nose are more pronounced here. The oak blends well with the malt and adds to the complexity. The cherry character adds a nice brightness and sweetness. The beer finishes with a slight bitterness, almost that of a dark chocolate bar.”
Overall: “Some interesting choices in the recipe design make for some interesting flavors in this beer. There was good complexity with the richness of the chocolate that carried through the beer.”
