Kuhnhenn Bourbon Barrel Barley Wine (365 Day 28)

By scot in 365 Days of American Craft Beer on Wednesday, December 29th, 2010

Kuhnhenn Brewing Company Bourbon Barrel Barley Wine

Bourbon Barrel Barley Wine by Kuhnhenn, beer number two from Kuhnhenn’s winter solstice bottle buy, was the target of the day.

I have been looking at the American craft beers that I have been savoring lately and noticed that the list is quite good. I will have to slow it down after the New Year as I cannot keep pace, especially budget wise. Let me tell you, Bourbon Barrel Barley Wine is no exception.

I chose this beer as my brother-in-law brought it up from the basement along with another Kuhnhenn’s beer and the word Bourbon in the name of the beer caught my fancy rather quickly.

Poured into a nice brandy glass at cellar temperature, the beer poured beautifully. The aroma of subdued bourbon met me nose: the kind that doesn’t over power the beer but is just a nice addition, creating more complexities. Oak and vanilla, no doubt from the bourbon barrel, are also present and seemingly in perfect cohorts with the sweet malt and dark fruits that are part of the wonderful bouquet. The taste is no slough either: everything from the nose is carried through. The most enticing part is the way the bourbon starts mid taste and lasts through until the end. So well balanced. A great sipping beer that can warm, but not alcoholic wise, on those cold winter days. Enjoy!

Aroma: 10, Taste: 9, Look: 8, Drinkability: 9, Overall: 9.1

Useless Fact: California consumes more bottled water than any other product.