pFriem Bourbon Barrel Imperial Stout (2017)

__Aroma:__ “Assertive phenolics of smoke, clove, Band-Aid, and rubber, with some woodsy *Brett* and barnyard notes. These work to cut the sweetness of the dark fruit and berry notes, which come across as blueberry and grape. A touch of herbal character comes through, as well as some bready malt.” __Flavor:__ “Blueberries come through up front, with some juiciness that adds sweetness. A blend of funk and tart hit after. Interesting complexity—smoke or electrical fire phenolics, but in the best possible way. An herbal-tea like finish. Dry. Mild lactic with some nice *Brett* qualities.” __Overall:__ “A nice blend of not-too-tart lactic tartness with some of the nice Brett funk qualities in this beer. It’s very phenolic with clove, smoke, and Band-Aid overpowering the fruit a bit. Some people may be put off by the smoky phenolics, but others will find it interesting without going into objectionable intensity. The fruit adds a wonderful color.”

Licorice, molasses, sweet tobacco, and chocolate-cake aromatics. Roasted dark cacao, wet wood, smoke on the tongue that lingers for a while. A divisive offering: some will love it, some will hate it.

**Aroma:** “Mild bourbon, with vanilla, chocolate, light caramel, and malt roast. Dark fruit, raisins, light plum, and a touch of apple. Some light vinegar in there, too.” **Flavor:** “The sip starts with a rich flavor that’s a mix of roast, chocolate, vanilla, oak, and cherries. Dark fruits (raisin and prune), followed by the bourbon and mild smokiness. Medium alcoholic warmth, which carries through the finish. The body is thick and chewy and very smooth. It’s a nice blend of supporting players without any one stealing the show.” **Overall:** “This beer is very rich, with huge chocolate and bourbon, with strong roast and a moderate astringency that plays with the alcohol warming at the end of the sip. It has a big, thick body, and a single pint is probably as much as I could drink of this—it provided a nice platform to blend the flavors of the beer and the barrel. The flavors supported one another in a smooth and complex blend, and each sip gave more to consider, adding to the overall experience.”