Left to Right:
Treehouse Brewing from former location in Monson, MA
Foot Hills Brewing: Bourbon Barrel Aged Sexual Chocolate Imperial Stout
Beer #1,148:
When I started trading, this was an early “must have”. I guess my love of the movie Coming to America motivated me to make sure I had this in my cellar…”that boy is good” To be fair, I’ve had this for about three years and I had higher expectations for the experience. Came across a bit thin, smokey acrid, some raisin. I’ll put Sexual Chocolate at 90 points.
Treehouse Brewing: Old Man (#1,149).
Beer #1,149:
If a restaurant is known for a certain dish…you order that dish no? Well, Treehouse is known for high quality New England style IPAs and some nice stouts. An English-style extra special bitter (ESB)? In unusual style, it took them a few weeks to sell this one out. I guess that proves my point. I’m willing to give Old Man a chance but it lacks in any malty characteristics rather has a plastic-like chemical flavor with off yeasty fruits. 85 points.
Goose Island 2015 Bourbon County Brand Stout Rare:
Beer #1,150:
There is a great story around this release. How could the brewery follow up on the 2010 version that was aged in 23 year old Pappy Van Winkle bourbon barrels? Well as the story goes, the folks at Heaven Hill Brewing found some barrels that had been aging bourbon for 35 years. It seems that these may have been forgotten as it’s unusual for bourbon to age more that 23 years. The “rare” comes from the barrels used, and these are rare gems indeed.
Of course, “rare” also translates into the ability to charge an inflated price. This bottle of Goose Island 2015 Bourbon County Brand Stout Rare is probably the most expensive bottle of beer I’ve ever had. Retailed for about $60 – $70. It comes in a nice wooden box. While it makes a nice presentation, it didn’t help tame the overpowering boozy whiskey flavors. Has some underlying char, oak and dark fruit. While others might have to equate cost with liking the beer…this was a gift and I’ll call it as I see it. Needs more balance. Goose Island 2015 Bourbon County Brand Stout Rare, 90 points.
