Style: Barrel-Aged Cinnamon & Spice Stout

ABV: 13.0 IBU: 66.0

99/100

Aroma:	12
Appearance:	3
Flavor:	20
Mouthfeel:	5

Perennial Artisan Ales BA Abraxas 2019

What the brewers say

Imperial stout aged 15–17 months in rye whiskey barrels and steeped on ancho chilies, cocoa nibs, cinna-mon, and vanilla beans.

What our panel thought

Prominent cocoa nibs along with the rye whiskey create a delightful aroma. The spice and chilies present themselves beautifully on the palate, complemented with a very silky mouthfeel. The adjuncts dance together seamlessly and gracefully fade away, with a nice bitter, dark chocolate lingering with sweet sugar stickiness alongside the dry rye whiskey. The alcohol is nearly undetectable. Very well balanced, cohesive beer.

What our editors thought

Woody chocolate and light spice notes on the nose lay a low-key umami expectation that carries through into the ultra-rich body. The sip is exquisitely silky and perfectly spiced, with thoroughly integrated cinnamon, pep-pers, whiskey, vanilla, coconut, and roast. Singularly incredible in execution.

Review printed in: Stouts for All Seasons (Oct-Nov 2019) (View All Issues)

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REVIEWS FOR YOU >

Perennial Artisan Ales Barrel-Aged Abraxas

__Aroma:__ “Smoky chile notes, with cinnamon and vanilla also strong. Hints of plum, sweet tobacco. The base stout’s slight bit of chocolate malt and roast reminds one of French-roast coffee with some maple sweetness.” __Flavor:__ “Notes of dried plums, apricots, cinnamon, chiles. The balance is spot on. The roast base helps balance the sweetness and chocolate, and the barrel brings things together with deep toffee flavor.” __Overall:__ “The barrel character is incredible, only made better by the base beer and adjuncts. Complexity is off the charts, while still maintaining a surprising level of drinkability. Beyond the flavors, the mouthfeel truly sets this apart. Rich, viscous, and full-bodied, but not cloying and just enough backbone to hold the line for the flavors. This is the standard by which all other stouts in this category should be measured.”

Amalgam Underground Breakfast

This is at least 500 yards of velvet goodness. Coffee, maple, and vanilla blend very nicely in the aroma. Taste is the same, very smooth, velvety, and big. This one is hard to put down. As it warms, it gets even better. The barrel aspect comes out in the finish—some char to help balance the sweetness. Mouthfeel has a very silky texture. This is a beer we would gladly enjoy in a coffee mug while camping or hanging out by a fire late at night. Not overtly sweet, this can be a full glass of fun.

Perennial Artisan Ales Barrel Aged Abraxas

“Rich, spicy Mexican chocolate dominates the aroma, backed by espresso, clean alcohol, and cinnamon notes. Long, spicy cinnamon finish. Well-crafted, subtle complexitiy.”

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