Fremont Barrel Aged Dark Star 2016
What the brewers say
“This year’s release is a blend of 18-, 12-, and 8-month bourbon barrel−aged KDS Dark Star in twelve-year-old Kentucky bourbon barrels. The roasted and chocolate malts complement the smooth oats to bring you a stout wrapped in the gentle embrace of bourbon barrel−aged warmth.”
What our panel thought
Aroma: “Bourbon, vanilla, and alcohol at first, and then some light chocolate, roast, and light smoke. There are also some dark caramel notes, malty sweetness, toffee, oak, bourbon, and licorice.”
Flavor: “Huge sweet milk chocolate. It’s a dance between the roast and the chocolate, with some malt sweetness. Notes of caramel, coffee as well, and from the barrel, some smoky wood, moderate oak tannins, and vanilla. Black licorice, with raisin, plum, and prunes that come out as if eaten straight from a bowl, supported by the bourbon and malt sweetness.”
Overall: “The flavor was unexpectedly great, considering the lightness of the aroma. The chocolate and roast of the base beer stand up well to the barrel and all the sweetness. Definitely drink this beer on the warmer side.”
