Barney Dubbel (Merlot Barrels)

(On tap at Bryden’s, Dec 27 2013) Pours a clear deep mahogany brown with a small cap of fine off-white bubbles, little lace. Aroma is of oak, red berries, floral, caramel malt sweetness. Palate has oaky, vinous notes, vanilla, mix of blueberry, blackberry and tart red berry fruitiness, some caramel malt/dark fruit dubbed character from the middle on, also some yeasty flavors towards the finish. A mix of sweet and slightly acidic and tart at first, becomes drier later on, slightly bitter finish. Mouthfeel medium, carb a bit sharper than style, no alcohol detectable. There’s quite a bit of barrel here on top of a fairly dry but not too forward dubbel - definitely not a candy sugar bomb. Typically finding dubbels unexciting, I enjoyed the wine-like layers added by the ageing. Made for a more complex beer. Good sipper.