Style: Stout (Barrel-aged, Flavored)

ABV: 12.0

99/100

Aroma:	12
Appearance:	3
Flavor:	20
Mouthfeel:	5

The Big Friendly Vanilla Boom

What the brewers say

“Bourbon barrel–aged imperial stout with Ecuadorian, Ugandan, and Madagascar vanilla beans.”

What our panel thought

“Black with a wisp of brown head. Decadent nose of brownie batter, vanilla, brown sugar, bourbon, espresso. Roasted maltiness adds complexity. Espresso, dark chocolate, vanilla, treacle, rum, vintage port. The age is there with some raisins and amaretto. Heavyweight body, with a lot of residual sugars, but not cloying. Alcohol is warming but not hot. A great beer.”

What our editors thought

“Vanilla and roasted peanut in the nose with a slim and svelte oaky bourbon note that feels restrained and classic in context. Subtle dark chocolate aroma notes bounce against the richer bourbon. Punchy bourbon-chocolate flavor with a significant carb lends a liveliness on the tongue.”

Review printed in: The Malt Is the Message (Spring 2024) (View All Issues)

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The Big Friendly After The Rain

“Bright aroma of sweet lemon, grapefruit. Eschews the heavy-handed tropical direction for a lighter candy sugar–like sweetness that pairs nicely with New World hops, providing hints of bubblegum, coconut. Very smooth, light white-grape and resin hop flavors.”

The Big Friendly Bourbon Barrel Oil Boom

“Aroma of light chocolate and coffee with a hint of WO sauce. A touch of wood, with some spirit, light raisin. Rich and deep flavor: sweet brown bread, chocolate, espresso dominate. Savory/sweet backbone throughout. Finish is rich. Carbonation seems a bit tingling and not creamy. Great rich flavor throughout. A touch of acidic sharpness in the finish takes away from it some, but overall enjoyable.”

The Big Friendly Oblique & Bent

“Funky aroma of barnyard, horse sweat, and straw with a little freshly emptied wine barrel. Beautiful taste profile of white-grape juice, chalky calcium, mussed straw bale. Just enough bitterness.”

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