Breckenridge Stranahan’s Well-Built ESB

The name explains a lot. This is a beer built on a variety of heavy flavors and smells, and it is well-built. The barrel’s influence enhances the sturdy base beer. Vanilla and fresh oak mix very nicely with sweet plum and dried fruit. As we sip, a warming and lovely toasted coconut flavor comes through along with butterscotch and caramel. It’s dense but has a surprisingly dry, clean finish. This is a great example of what can happen when a base beer is brewed specifically for a barrel.