This stout is part of their annual barrel series, and is aged for 6 months in bourbon barrels. The bourbon barrel comes through so nicely, adding an earthy, woody character that merges with dark roasted chocolate syrup. Coffee, vanilla, leather, and dark fruits fill out the rest of the palate. This is Avery, it’s nicely hopped considering the style and the aging. For a stout, this is really quite cloying, but carbonation is perfect. It’s multi-layered, sort of like a dark chocolate rum cake. It’s robust, smooth, and to call it a dessert beer would be an understatement. The alcohol hits on the finish and is warm as it goes down, though somehow manages to stay somewhat contained. It is most certainly a sipper. The aroma tops things off in an equally complex fashion.

Overall, very syrupy sweet almost in a grand-cru sort of way. There is an off-putting cherry cough syrup flavor from the alcohol that doesn’t do the beer very well. Considering the 17.42% ABV, I think I can forgive them for this downside. Price may keep many people away from this one ($9), but it’s well worth the experience. Definitely a treat to enjoy on a special occasion or to share with a buddy.

17.42%

? IBU

Boulder, Colorado