Blindman Brewing Barrel-Aged Brett 24-2 Stock Ale – English Strong Ale at 8.1% ABV | 23 IBU (C$14.76 at Collective, 500 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 26-Mar-2021, reviewed 31-Mar-2021)
Appearance: clear amber-brown with one finger of dense light tan head, excellent retention and minimal soapy lacing. (5/5) Aroma: complex, red berries, oak, leather, vanilla, dark fruit, bourbon. (9/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter, light tart. (8/10) Palate: medium slightly slick body, moderate carbonation, drying slightly tart finish. (4/5)
This one was aged in Four Roses bourbon barrels that previously held their Imperial Stout, giving some great complexity and depth of flavour. There’s a lot going on here, between the name (the farm where the Newdale malt barley was grown), the artwork (the Percheron drafts used during planting and the previously-referred roses), and the local malting (Red Shed), all topped off with some custom Escarpment Brett. Interestingly, the Brett seems to be present not as the typical funky horse blanket notes one often encounters, but more as tart red berries. (Not a criticism of horse blankets by any means, just an observation.) This is a big, complex sipper that encourages settin’ and thinkin’ – or maybe just settin’. (17/20)
8.5/10 ryansbooze.com #ryansbooze
