Barrel Aged B.O.R.I.S. the Crusher

Barrel Aged B.O.R.I.S. the Crusher

Hoppin’ Frog Brewery

Akron, OH

Barrel-Aged B.O.R.I.S. the Crusher won a gold award at the 2012 World Beer Cup and a bronze at the 2013 Great American Beer Festival. It is a barrel-aged version of B.O.R.I.S. The Crusher Oatmeal-Imperial Stout, which is a two-time gold winner at the Great American Beer Festival (2011 and 2008).

ABV: 9.4

ABW: 7.48

COLOR: 84

BITTERNESS: 60

ORIGINAL GRAVITY: 1107

AVAILABLE: CO, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, NJ, OH, PA, VA, WI

Boozy, black and strong, this ale lacks no subtlety in owning what it is. On the nose and palate, whisky, vanilla, espresso and chocolate are dominant. Right on the finish I get some tingly alcohol heat and tongue coating that lasts. In a world with a lot of barrel-aged stouts, this one has been under the radar, but deserves a spotlight. Shoot, this knocked me on my keister, and now I need a nap.
- John Holl

Inky black and oily in texture, this is a bit of an intimidating beer from the get-go. The nose is no less so, with dry black currant and roasted blueberry aromas layered with darkly roasty, almost tar-evoking maltiness and vanilla-whiskey notes. The body brings all the flavor notes hinted at in the aroma, and along with a fair amount of black licorice and burnt coffee, finishing boozy and warming. Hardly an exercise in subtlety, but a pleasant nightcap for a fall or winter night.
- Stephen Beaumont

John Holl
John is the editor of All About Beer Magazine, the host of The Beer Briefing on iHeart Radio, and the author of three books, including The American Craft Beer Cookbook. Find him on Twitter @John_Holl.

Stephen Beaumont
Co-author of both The World Atlas of Beer and The Pocket Beer Guide (with Tim Webb), Stephen travels the world sampling beer, hosting dinners and tastings, and eating too much airport food.