7.6

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 10 | Overall - 7.5

650ml bottle. Cloudy, copper-ish, dark amber colour with average, thick, creamy, moderately lasting and lacing, off-white head. Sweet-ish, caramel malty aroma with a touch of almond, marzipan, BA notes of Bourbon, vanilla, dark caramel, whiffs of maple sirup. Taste is sweet-ish, caramel malty, resinous hoppy, slightly alcoholic, minimally malty spicy, a cautious fruity touch of alcohol soaked apricot, BA hints of Bourbon, vanilla, dark caramel, whiffs of maple sirup, some oak; minimally warming, alcoholic finish. Minimally pungent mouthfeel from hop bitterness, alcohol and malt spiciness. Oily to viscous texture, super-soft, smooth, silky palate, very fine, soft carbonation. Good balance, excellent mouthfeel - nice sipper.

7.8

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

Sample from 2019 batch at GABF 10/05/2019, thanks to kathryneels for assistance with note-taking. The beer is a clear copper color with a medium thin off-white head that diminishes steadily to a film. Small patches of lace. Aroma of bourbon, malt, fruit and hops. Full-bodied with flavors of oaky bourbon, rye malt, stone fruit and earthy hop. The finish is mildly spicy rye and bourbon. Pretty good overall.

7

A lightly hazed dark amber ale with a thin lacing off white head. In aroma, loads of caramel and butterscotch, with vinous notes, treacle, light bourbon barrel notes, woody notes, alcohol warmth, very nice. In mouth, a nice sweet fruity caramel malt with Bourbon barrel notes, woody notes, alcohol warmth, very nice. On tap at brewery.

7.8

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

I've had this 22 oz bottle of Barrel Crusher since early spring last year. It needs to be consumed. Lift the top and pour into a glass stein. I see a nice delivery, sort of a cinnamon gold in color with a prominent eggshell white head. The sniff test gives up hops and booze, a step in the right direction. The taste ultimately, oh my, pretty doggone good. I find a light hoppiness, honey, meadow, wheat bread and a bit of toffee. Not seeing the 100 IBUs but whatever. Definitely detect the barrel influence. Easily drinkable what with the 13% abv and all. Reminiscent of Founders DankWood.