Hardywood Park Craft Brewery Bourbon Barrel GBS
What the brewers say
“Brewed with vanilla beans, cinnamon, fresh Casselmonte Farm baby ginger, and Bearer Farms wildflower honey. Matured in Virginia bourbon barrels.”
What our panel thought
Aroma: “Mexican chocolate—cinnamon, vanilla, maybe a little chile/cayenne. Super aromatic! Moderate sweetness, light coffee, light anise. Reminds me very much of cinnamon rolls. A touch of ginger and clover start to give way to a pumpkin essence.”
Flavor: “This is somewhere between a Mexican mole stout and a Christmas beer. It is very much like a cinnamon roll. Moderate sweetness with high spices that grow in intensity toward the end. Alcohol stays in the background as a warming. Light coffee note toward the end. If you like cinnamon-clove-ginger, you’ll be quite happy. Mexican hot chocolate.”
Overall: “That’s a spiced stout! If you like chai, this is a beer for you. Moderate sweet notes with the chocolate and coffee. Low alcohol stays out of the way. Move over coffee beers—this would be perfect with a cinnamon roll for breakfast.”
