Oak Aged Doppelsticke

Pint can pours with a mahogany colored body that supports a short tan head of foam. The modest aroma offers up dark fruity esters, a bit of molasses and then boozy bourbon. The taste delivers smooth slick sweet malts flowing quickly into a blend of supple sweet bourbon, sweetened oak that is edged in oaky boozy vanilla. There are moments when reduced sugars briefly bubble to the surface in the form of both caramel and molasses. This gets close to achieving balance between the beer character and the barrel treatment but leans firmly in the barrel direction. This rating goes up a bit if there was better balance allowing for more of the beer to shine through. Still. Fun sipper.