All About Beer Magazine

This beer from Boulevard Brewing Co. is part of their Smokestack Series of limited release beers. This beer, a Bourbon Barrel Quad, pours deep amber, almost root beer in color, with a thin, tight tan head. The boozy aroma hits you when the glass is still sitting on the table, with a gust of bourbon and vanilla. “Beer moonshine,” said one taster. “Smells like an ass-kicker,” said another. Given the fermentation on cherries and the bourbon barrel aging, the aromas suggest this ale would come on like a Manhattan. The flavors, then, were both less sweet and less strong than the nose suggested, to our pleasure. The beer has a medium light mouthfeel, with fresh ruby cherry notes that start subtly but grow more dominant toward the end of the glass. There is a light, dry cherry juice and cherry stone character, which balances nicely with the warm vanilla and woody notes. The finish is relatively dry and a little tart. Overall, a damned good beer.