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Bourbon Barrel Aged Beers

9/1/2017

13 Comments

 
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Given that this month thus far appears to have been an explosion of opinions about the strategy of a certain Manchester Brew Co. (or opinions of opinions) it seems fitting that my first amateurish attempts on blogging about my interactions with beer should be with regard to Cloudwater Brew Co.

I have had several offerings from this brewery since their inception and if I recall correctly have enjoyed them all. Their IPAs and the Sorachi Grissette stick in my mind in particular for their quality and I have enjoyed the variety that the DIPA series have offered my palate. However, it was with a degree of uncertainty that I purchased a bottle of Cloudwater Bourbon Barrel Aged Tripel from one of my employers - the excellent Coppers of Gosforth.

But why the uncertainty given my hitherto positive experiences of Cloudwater? It was a 750ml bottle  - if I really didn't like it there would be much waste. But that wasn't it, I have bought many a big bottle and just gone for it. It wasn't cheap - though value for money wasn't a concern. There was one thing that was gnawing away at me. Not that it was barrel aged, but that it was bourbon barrel aged. For why? Well, I realise it's not a fashionable view but I have polarised experiences with bourbon barrel aged beers. I loved Almasty's Sour Mash which was such a well rounded delivery on a complex beer. However, I guess what was too far to the fore of my mind was my experience with a bourbon barrel aged version of a base beer that had previously hit beer of the year heights for me. What had been a viscous and complex delight in it's original form, for me, became an insipid and thin variation on the base beer. A well brewed and aged beer it was, but it left me disappointed and craving it's non-BBA forbearer.

But by the Cloudwater BBA Tripel I had and I was damned if I wasn't going to drink it (all).


So I did, and here are my thoughts. Firstly it poured beautifully to present a deep golden colour with a good head atop. At 10% ABV it was always going to be a beer to sip long and savour but any concern aside from the ageing technique was fear of polishing off 750ml of a 10% Tripel given my expectation of a sweetness I sometimes find a little much in Tripels.

My first few sips certainly confirmed a level of sweetness but it was immediately apparent that it wasn't too much and that the other qualities balanced and carried it well. It delivered a floral and syrupy effervescence that challenged me as a drinker but didn't create a barrier to enjoying the other qualities.

Now the tasting notes on the bottle suggested I should be detecting tones of vanilla, coconut and pineapple and whilst I could certainly taste elements of pineapple upside down cake, what also came through for me was a hint of caramilised peaches which smoothed the sweetness off nicely. Was the bourbon prevalent? For me, no, I would suggest that it acted as a flavour enhancer rather than as a flavour to cut through the brew.

It was certainly a big beer and one that took quite a while to enjoy to the end given the quantity, but enjoy it to the end I did. It had body and depth and left a lasting mouthfeel that demanded a savouring before revisiting for another draught from the glass. My fear of the bourbon barrel ageing thinning out the beer was unfounded. Perhaps I have let one disappointing experience dominate my recollections of the impact this ageing process can have. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on Bourbon Barrel Ageing as my lay-person's approach to tasting beer is just that. Feel free to share your thoughts below or on Twitter. I'd also be interested in any thoughts on the style and length of this first blog. I'm not sure I've said much more in this piece than some get across in 140 characters!

So there we go, and I didn't mention cask once.....damn it!

Cheers,

Paul.








13 Comments
Tyson link
9/1/2017 08:24:21 am

Good first effort, Paul. The length and style approach of the blog really is up to you. it is your's after all and there isn't a right or wrong approach. What usually happens is that you slip into a mode that you are most comfortable with.

As for BBA beers, they can divide opinion. However, there's nothing wrong with being a little cautious as by no means do they all succeed. I've tasted a few failures in my time!

Anyway, welcome to beer blogging and good luck.

Reply
Paul
9/1/2017 08:32:26 am

Thanks Tyson. Yes, I see what you're saying about blog length but I am mindful that too long a piece might not get read by many and more than anything I want to stimulate discussion.

Yes, interesting to find others who have had varied experiences with BBA beers. My abiding negative memory is of that beer that just didn't come close to the depth and quality of the original beer but I'm pleased to have got a good one with this one.

Thanks for the response - most grateful.

Reply
Will
9/1/2017 09:12:29 am

Nice one mate, just out of curiosity what was the bourban agreed beer? It wasn't Squid Assassin was it?

Reply
Paul
9/1/2017 09:21:40 am

No, it was Caribbean Chocolate Cake. The original was my beer of a year and I eagerly anticipated the BBA version but found it significantly thinner than the silk that the original was.

Reply
Will
9/1/2017 09:49:24 am

Shame as I imagine it's a significant expensive to buy the barrels and let the wood take done of the beer... The angels share

John
9/1/2017 09:57:27 am

You've got a decent length here....good to see mouthfeel feature too. I enjoyed it, prefer them not to be too drawn out. I agree on the bourbon barrel aged beers as well, real risk of thinning out which has been my experience of some imperial stouts recently. Keep the blogs coming though! Good effort.

Reply
Paul
9/1/2017 10:02:18 am

Cheers for your comments John. I guess it's just a case of being selective and hoping the BBA process enhances the beer

Reply
CityStack link
10/1/2017 01:02:07 pm

Christ that left me salivating. Really enjoyed the first review Paul, keep them coming!

Reply
Paul
10/1/2017 01:08:41 pm

That's terrific - thanks!

Reply
Northbynorthyeast link
10/1/2017 01:15:48 pm

Interesting read on a interesting beer look foward to see what's up next

Reply
Paul
10/1/2017 01:17:23 pm

Thanks very much

Reply
Epic Beers link
20/1/2017 01:18:47 pm

Well, I like long-winded and slightly oddly phrased things so I'm not sure my opinion is helpful, but I liked this blog post and would like to see more!

Reply
Paul
20/1/2017 01:21:02 pm

Well, of you liked it that's good enough for me. Thanks for the feedback

Reply



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