The Bruery Smoking Wood (Bourbon Barrel)
From The Bruery – Brewed with beachwood and cherrywood smoked malt, and aged in bourbon barrels, Smoking Wood is a delicious demonstration of what wood has to offer when it comes to beer. This imperial smoked porter is brewed with a hefty amount of rye malt, contributing to a full body and light spiciness. Toasty oak, caramel and vanilla flavors balance the smokiness, contributing to an intense yet refined flavor profile. The previous release of Smoking Wood was aged in rye whiskey barrels while this more limited version was aged in bourbon barrels, contributing a different nuance to the already complex ale.
The Bruery- The Bruery Smoking Wood (Bourbon Barrel) – On tap at Reserve Society 2012 Initiation Party – 13% abv.
Appearance: Pours midnight red with a tan ring.
Aroma: Bacon, hickory ham rind, big bourbon. Chocolate.
Taste: Bourbon(vanilla, alcohol, wood), chocolate finishes boozy. Less hammy than the rye barrel version.
Mouthfeel: Full bodied, somewhat thick with modest carbonation.
Overall: I liked this a hair more than the version aged in Rye Whiskey barrels. I made a suggestion to one of the brewers of the Bruery that I enjoy this beer, and am curious to see what other wood treatments would be like with this beer. Virgin oak for instance would be pretty interesting to try.
