Firestone Walker - Velvet Merkin

This was pretty tasty. Super silky. Tons of vanilla flavors from the barrel aging. Doesn't really standout with any ridiculous character but it's super drinkable. Don't think I'd get another bottle but wouldn't turn down a drink. 

Bruery - Bois

I usually have drank/shared this over Christmas or Thanksgiving meals. This year? Sunday afternoon wild card football by myself. 

Sneaky abv. Tons of dark fruit flavor. The bourbon barrel agin isn't overpowering. Some vanilla and oak notes. Alcohol burn is pretty high, but not that bad for being 15%. For how much I bitched about this beer in previous years, this was pretty great. Not sure whether it's the vintage or not being buried after numerous other drinks. I'll definitely pick up another bottle next year. 

Rising Tide - Hesperus

Another beer picked up at Rising Tide. The folks working at the brewery have been really nice both times we've stopped by. I'd definitely recommend stopping by for a tasting. 

I had this on draft while we were at the brewery and liked it enough to pick up two bottles. I think I left one up in Maine. We'll see how it does with some age on it. 

Decent carbonation. Isn't too thin or thick for the style. Lots of brown sugar and vanilla from the barrel aging, some raisin. A little harsh finish.

Heavy Seas - Siren Noire 2013

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

These dudes go through rebrandings like its nobody's business. "Previously" reviewed here (non-barrel aged but under the same name; confusing)

I wasn't too enthused about this before, but the barrel aging helps it a little. The powdery fake chocolate taste is a little more subtle. There's hints of the barrel aging there, slight vanilla & bourbon taste. Much better than before, but still not fantastic.

Smuttynose - Zinneke

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Part straight up, part barrel aged.

Slight hint of the belgian yeast. Maybe a slight woodiness from the barrel aging, but there aren't a lot of vanilla or bourbon flavors here. Nice enough. Good for the price, but Folklore beats it by a mile. 

Weyerbacher - Insanity (2011)

Even more old reviews. 

Oh man this is great. Lots of caramel malt and hints of tobacco. There's a slight vanilla hint to it, but its not hot anymore. Super drinkable. I have two 2012 and two 2013 left and I may hold onto those for a while (even though I'm attempting to drink through my entire "cellar" before moving). 

Editor's note: I still have the 2012's and 2013's. 

Hardywood Park - Bourbon Barrel Sidamo Coffee Stout

Even more old reviews. 

Second beer from my stop at the brewery.

This was surprisingly good after the disappointing Hoplar and average raspberry stout and "jalapeno" stout I had samples of at Meridian Pint.

I don't get a strong assertive coffee presence, but there's a great hint of vanilla and bourbon from the barrel aging. Good carbonation, nicely coats the tongue. The best "local" barrel aged beer I've had. (pretty sure its better than the Alewerks offerings but maybe not?)

Uinta - Sea Legs

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

A barrel aged porter

The wood from the barrel aging is really strong. Very dry and oaky. Pretty easy drinking, but not superb. It's not bad, not great. I wouldn't get it again, but wouldn't turn down a glass (if anyone wants to pay $12 for the bottle for me!).

Evolution - Menagerie # 8

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

High carbonation that still didn't really die off even after an hour or so. Carbonation initially masked a lot of the flavor. The wine barrels definitely left their mark. I'm not sure I'd really be able to identify the base beer if it wasn't on the bottle (belgian dark ale). Moderately to really sweet. The aftertaste is like a watered down red wine. Nice enough, but I think I liked the Victory porter aged in wine barrels a lot better (and it was about $4 cheaper too). 

Goose Island - Bourbon County Brand Coffee Stout

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Previously Reviewed

This time around the coffee is a little more muted. Its definitely there, but I think I like the normal Bourbon County Stout better just because its cheaper. 

Firestone Walker - 16th Anniversary Ale

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

This is nice enough. Very drinkable. Maybe a hint of the tequila barrels in the aroma. Its not exactly an imperial stout, but I'm not quite sure what to call it. Thin, not dominated by roasted malts, but there are chocolate notes there. Barrel aging definitely comes through. Certainly good, but I wouldn't get it again for ~$20 it cost. 

Bruery - Fruet

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

This could probably use a few years on it. Very strong alcohol burn (even though its at least 6 months old). No need to drink the entire bottle (although I did). Any dark fruit or barleywine-like flavors are just buried under the bourbon and heet. I actually liked the previous versions that weren't 100% barrel aged better. I'd get another bottle in the future, but I'd give it at least two years.

Victory - Red Thunder

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

I really liked this. There are definite traces of red wine left here, but they're not overpowering. Light cherry and wine flavors to go along with the roasted malt. Recommended. 

Williamsberg Alewerks - Cafe Royale

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Really smooth barrel aged stout. Vanilla, bourbon and oak really stand out. Slightly bitter on the finish. Not heavy, pretty light for a stout. I was expecting the coffee to come through a little more. Good enough for the price. 

Boulevard - Rye on Rye

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

A lot more mild than I expected. It certainly smells like it has rye in it, although I'm not sure whether that's from the barrel aging or the beer itself.

This may honestly be one of the most boring barrel aged beers I've ever had. Its really sweet, with malt, oak, vanilla, etc. basically dominating. I don't know, it could use the balance of some bitterness or roasted malts or something. Just fine. 

Goose Island - Bourbon County - 2011 & 2012

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

The aged 2011 is a lot smoother, but I think I actually like the fresh one better. The bourbon was a lot more prevalent.

Firestone Walker - Firestone XV Anniversary Ale

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

So after not seeing this in stores when it was released last year (2011), I was a little surprised to see it at the expensive beer store in the neighborhood this week just as the XVI is also being released. After my positive experience with their DDBA, I figured I'd give this a shot too.

Very much in the style of a barrel aged barleywine. Some slight roasted malt notes in the finish. Vanilla and bourbon is very prevalent. Not overly alcoholic for the 12% abv. 

Firestone Walker - Double DBA

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

I was pretty skeptical that this would be good. The barrel aging isn't completely ridiculous here. Its much better than Backwoods Bastard, another beer with a lower alcohol %. Much better than some of the barrel aged barley wines I've had. I'd recommend it as a barrel aged non-stout.

Firestone Walker - Sucaba/Abacus

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Got better as it warmed up, but I don't think bourbon barrel aged barleywines are always my thing. Don't think I'd buy this again. The barrel aging just dominates any of the base beer.

DC Brau - Oaked Penn Quarter Porter

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Picked up this bottle after a tour of the brewery.

This is pretty tasty, but perhaps a little thin. I guess it is a porter though. The barrel aging isn't overpowering, which is nice. A subtle oakiness and hint of whiskey is present. It works well. Only complaint is it could use a little more carbonation.

And: Debuting at the request of my devoted followers is the following rating:

4 out of 5 (Its a good beer, and I'd potentially buy it again)