Other Half Bourbon Barrel Aged Pastrytown VIP

“Strong oak stars in the fudgy, boozy aroma with moderate vanilla notes. Black as midnight, with no head at all. Coats the glass and stays there. Thick, rich body with dark-malt chocolate and light-roast flavors. Cocoa, fudge, Hershey’s Syrup. Sweet, to be sure, but the bitterness balances. Vanilla enhances the oak character without overpowering. Warming with a sneaky touch of alcohol heat balanced by strong but not cloying sweetness, that’s in turn balanced by firm bitterness.”

Lucious notes of chocolate and bourbon jump out instantly on the aroma, which flows perfectly into a chewy-bodied stout full of smooth chocolate bourbon cake. The base beer holds up excellently against the aging and blends the barrel character in expertly. Delicate spices dance over waves of sheeting chocolate while riding the line of overtly sweet. Finishes out fairly dry.

**Aroma:** “Nice honey up front with ap- ples, some cinnamon, vanilla, spice, and a bit of alcohol warming. Like brandy apply pie, it’s bready, crackery, sugary, spiced vanilla cookie over moderately perfumy alcohol. Big bourbon character with vanilla and molasses.” **Flavor:** “Apples up front with graham crackers, vanilla, nutmeg, wood tannins, and a touch of marshmallow sweetness leads to a slightly astringent, off-dry finish. Nice body and moderate acidity accented by light chocolate notes with a touch of leather (in a good way). The bourbon is ever-present, pushing any honey character to the background.” **Overall:** “It’s a bit drier than aroma suggests, with a hot alcohol flavor. Wood and bourbon flavors dominate—this is like drinking a delightful pastry. Despite the high alcohol content, the the sweet pie spices cover it beautifully. It’s not a mead for traditionalists, but anyone who enjoys barrel-aged beer will get it.”