Deschutes Brewery Mirror Mirror
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What the brewers say
“The Reserve Series romance all began with our first release of this limited-edition brew. Mirror Mirror, born of a double batch of Mirror Pond Pale Ale, is an inspired barley wine ale layered with intriguing nuances. Explore this latest incarnation and enjoy its delicious complexity in every sip.”
What our panel thought
Aroma: “Stone fruit (and even strawberry) esters followed by some spicy, citrusy hops. Bright oak character with some ginger spiciness. Some dark cherry and apricot/peach tones show up when it warms a bit. Strong fruity, grape-like alcohol aroma. Oxidized and sherry aroma.”
Flavor: “Surprisingly light on the tongue. Some honey notes complement the malt sweetness. Hops walk the line to provide a pleasant complementary bitterness to the malts. Wonderful balance of tannins from the oak wine barrel and the toasted malt characters. The warming alcohol is fruity grape and tree fruit (plums and apricots).”
Overall: “An enjoyable beer and a pleasant contrast to the whiskey-barrel barleywines that dominate the genre. If you like barleywines, but not bourbon, this is the beer for you. Lots of complexity, and just a bit more malty depth and body would really tie it all together.”
