I'm someone who isn't a fan of having to buy a pack of beer just to try something new (frankly, I'm broke and the price of beer is hard to justify now), and Manitoba's beer scene is pretty much a single serving market where you just have to buy a can or bottle and not a whole 4 6 or 8 pack just to try something out. So it was a bit weird to me that Nonsuch would do a four pack (two Bourbon Barrel Aged Belgian Stouts, two Rotbiers) just so I could try something, but here we are. Today's sampling is Nonsuch's Bourbon Barrel Aged Belgian Stout? What's a Belgian Stout? Well this article goes in depth what makes it different than others, hopefully it'll be something I'll like, but I'm not worried either way. 7.4% ABV
Appearance: Black as the night, thick, decent beigeish head on top.
Aroma: The Bourbon barrel is what comes out first and foremost, giving off a sweet, boozy presence to it with notes of molasses, vanilla, oak and for some reason.. a hint of the smell of baby wipes. Quite a sweet-forward stout, not much bitterness to it, quite smooth but mostly covered by the barrels. There's also a moderate sourness to the Stout that is minimal when nice and cold, but when warmed up a bit, very sharp and vinegary.
Taste: The first thing I got out of it was how thin it was on the palate - it's quite watery for mouthfeel. Following that, I get a surprisingly sourness from the stout, almost a vinegar/almost a Lambic kind of sourness to it. The barrel is still there but it's much more tame than in the aroma - hint of woodiness, vanilla and bit of booziness to it. Slight roastiness from the malt and a good amount of yeastiness popping up here and there to give it a heavy dark bread presence at the end.
Overall Thoughts: I didn't know what to expect. I've had better Stouts/Porters because I still don't really get "it". It's a tad sour, definitely barrel aged but I guess I was expecting more oak, more roasted malt and more chocolate popping up. MAKE SURE TO CHILL THIS BEER!
I honestly really didn't like the beer unchilled, the sour notes were much more present than when chilled so it basically ruined the experience for me. Chilled: I don't mind it but I don't get it, unchilled: won't buy again.
I honestly really didn't like the beer unchilled, the sour notes were much more present than when chilled so it basically ruined the experience for me. Chilled: I don't mind it but I don't get it, unchilled: won't buy again.
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