Old Numbskull aged in bourbon barrels. Limited release December 2004 available only at the brewery in individually numbered 750 mL foil-topped bottles. This ale was brewed in 2002, racked to an oak bourbon barrel in 2003, and bottled in 2004.
Beer Ratings and Reviews:
[1] Review by bfeldmann from Wilmington, DE, USA who has tried this beer once. (3/17/2008 10:16:26 AM)
"Thanks to eagle for this one. Poured a copper color with small head. Aroma was of caramel, burbon oaky. Flavor was much the same some hops some vanilla. Burbon began to overwelm this and make it sweeter as it warmed. Not bad not what I expected.
"
Aroma:
8/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
8/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.9)
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure Compared to this brewer's other beers: Not Sure
[2] Review by Stoutlover72 from Northern, California, USA who has tried this beer once. (2/21/2008 1:02:06 PM)
"NorCal Feb '08 - 2005 Bottle #96 - Somehow AleSmith is one of the few breweries who really know how to intergrate what barrel aging does to beer in a way that is damned near perfect. While I'm a huge fan of the regular non-barrel aged Old Numbskull, this was equally as tasty. Better? I don't believe so. But not beneath it in anyway either.
The beer pours out a burnt/brownish orage color with a smaller sized light tan head. Aroma is raisiny, yeasty, alcohol, wood, vanilla, brown sugar..reminded me of whiskey in many ways. Flavors were nearly spot on with the nose with a little more emphasis on the vanillin and toffee character from the bourbon barrel. Fantastic beer."
Aroma:
9/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
9/10
Overall:
9/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4.3)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 750ml @ $0 Unit Cost: $0 per Pint
[3] Review by doulos31 from Middletown, DE, USA who has tried this beer once. (1/13/2008 7:31:29 AM)
"Many thanks to eaglefan538 for sharing his experience! Without going overboard with the description, the flavor in this one was very similar to the regular Numbskull, obviously. The bourbon/oak flavors from the barrel were subtle at first pour and got noticeably stronger as it warmed, which did not improve the flavor of the beer, but began to take over and make the beer a little on the sweet side. The strong hops showed through even with a bottle, according to eaglefan538, was 3 years old. I can't say I prefer this to the regular version, but an enjoyable experience nonetheless."
Aroma:
8/10
Appearance:
7/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
8/10
Overall:
8/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.9)
Sampled: Bottle
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure
[4] Review by eaglefan538 from DE, USA who has tried this beer once. (1/13/2008 12:11:47 AM)
"Bottle generously given to me for sharing with a few buds by slob, wow! Bottle 33 of 240 or 290 or 298, couldn't read that very well. The appearance was amber copper, some haziness, but no chunks, nice off-white head. The aroma was caramel, maple, bourbon, oak/wood. The flavor followed suit, some vanilla and raisiney notes, hops still making their presence known, though, piney/resinous aspects. Mouthfeel was amply carbonated considering the age, balancing anything sticky about this, as well as the slight bitter/hop presence. Another nice product from AS, although this wasn't my favorite BA product of theirs (nor is their Old Numby anyway). A super duper thanks to Bert for sharing, what a kind guy!"
Aroma:
8/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
8/10
Overall:
8/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4)
Sampled: Bottle
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure
[5] Review by willblake from Brick, NJ, USA who has tried this beer (1/18/2006 8:05:48 PM)
"05.22.05 2002, bottled 2004, 136/225 thanks to JoeeC5, Jimmack invitational. Beautiful brew, and Joe is a real gem for sharing this with the crew. Aroma is quite woody, musty, decadent. There’s certainly an AleSmith house character, I’m starting to realize. Velvet body is soft, smooth, and so so long on the palate. Gorgeous. Despite its age, this beer is still damned hot. Lots of alcohol presence even though it’s not all that high of an ABV (10%); the alcohol does seem to be integral to the role that the wood has brought to the scene. The extra smoothness of sweet cream and honey-butter that oak have brought to the table are kept in check by the peppery, numbing heat of the resurgent alcohol. Flavors are full of brown sugar, some candied fig, light leafy bitterness. I get something earthy, too, sort of detritus-ish, but that might be my imagination. If nothing else, this beer deserves some bonus points just for being so interesting. Thanks a million for sharing this one, Joe!"
Aroma:
8/10
Appearance:
10/10
Mouthfeel:
9/10
Flavor:
8/10
Overall:
9/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4.4)
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure Compared to this brewer's other beers: Not Sure
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(3.9)
