The Beer and Barrel: Imperial Stout Aged in Willett Rye Barrel. 13.4% ABV
We brewed a rich, deeply malty and pitch black beer that included two types of chocolate malt, roasted barley, coffee malt as well as munich and caramel malts to create a stout that hit all the malty and roasty notes as it entertains the senses. The goal was a pleasing bout of sensory overload of a type that fits well with holiday feasts. After primary fermentation in stainless, we rested the beer for 7 months in a recently emptied Willett Rye barrel to incorporate some oaky and bourbon notes and allow the beer to mellow and mature.
Tasting Notes:
The Beer pours a deep black color with a light brown head. The most prominent aromas are coffee, dark chocolate, and vanilla, with hints of fruitiness in the background. The beer has a full, sweet mouthfeel without being syrupy. There’s a rich chocolate note in the mouth combined with the warming alcohol, akin to a chocolate liquor. Various notes give the beer complexity and depth: a creaminess, a hint of molasses, touches of oak, especially vanilla. There’s a roastiness to the beer without the higher bitter notes or smokiness that often accompany highly roasted grains and coffees.
Overall Impression:
The plan from the get-go was to sell this between Thanksgiving and Christmas, to accompany year end celebrations, and it fits that bill. Great to share with friends, this beer would be fantastic as an aperitif or to accompany (or replace) dessert, or simply as a treat to share with friends as the weather turns cooler and darker.