Stewarts Bourbon Aged McBrides Strong Ale

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 7

Bottle shared at SL private tasting especiale. Pour was ruby tinted amber, small thin little head showing some carbonation, not bad for a BB aged little sucker. Nose was full of strong bourbon alcohol burn, ample amounts of oak, and some caramel and toffee. Flavor followed suit, wood fairly prominent, yet the bourbon overcoming the basic essence of the core style, only faint notes of caramel and toffee, some vanilla, almost lactic-like citrus coming through, maybe a light toastiness in there also. Vinous-alcohol type notes (think red wine) were rather noticeable throughout the drink, complementing the somewhat strong bourbon flavors, more than one dimensional in the strong alcohol sense, yet still quite hot. Mouthfeel was moderate for a BB beer, not sticky, carbonated, a touch acidic.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 6

Pours mahogany brown color, with smallish head and lacing. Extremely strong aroma of bourbon. I like Stewarts beers, but their barrel aged beers often tend to taste more like bourbon than beer. Strong flavor of bourbon and wood, almost losing the beer underneath. Hints of vanilla, caramel and something sour that almost tastes off. Very sweet.

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 5 | Overall: 7

Poured a lightly hazy, amber color, with a small, off white head that left light lacing on the glass. Aroma of bourbon, vanilla, oak, nutmeg, and raisins. Taste of citrus fruit, oak, vanilla, caramel malts, toffee, light bourbon, and some sour, green apple. Pleasant carbonation.