Boulevard Rye on Rye (Ale Aged in Rye Whiskey Barrels)

***BICENTENNIAL REVIEW!***

Boulevard Brewing Company

Kansas City, Missouri

APPEARANCE: 2/3
Mahogany, opaque. Thick, rocky, tan head that laces and lasts.

AROMA: 3.25/4
Oak, whiskey, molasses, raisin. Rich—pineapple and coconut notes, alcohol nose.

TASTE: 8.25/10

• Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Alcohol up-front, middle and end. Whiskey, oak, very malty. Peppery middle. Molasses, caramel. No hop flavor, but some hop bitterness.
  
• Aftertaste: 2.5/3: Whiskey, oak at front. Subtle bitter oakiness imparts a dark feel. Sour.
  
• Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Spicy/tingly/sparkly—coats the tongue. Alcohol burn. Smooth, dry finish.
  

OVERALL: 2.5/3: This should be served in a snifter to maximize the aroma, and drunk slowly, savored. Be sure to serve it at the proper temperature. Hard to find—it sold FAST when it was released (not Chocolate Ale fast, but pretty darned fast)—so it's a must-have if you can get your hands on it.

TOTAL: 16/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Matt: I'm no boozehound (anymore), but this Boulevard Smokestack offering balances beer and booze perfectly—complex, sweet and oh-so-smooth. A sipper, not for every day, but for the style (and for our 200th review), grand.
Ben: A sipping beer if there ever was one. Sophisticated, so wear a monocle when you drink it. At 11% ABV, be careful. Cheers, and here's to the next 200!

Boulevard Smokestack Series–Two Jokers (Double Wit)

Boulevard Brewing Company
Kansas City, Missouri

APPEARANCE: 2/3
Pale copper color, crisp, minimal head.

AROMA: 3/4
Citrusy nose, little hop aroma.

TASTE: 5.5/10

• Hop/Malt Balance: 2.5/4: Decently malty, little hop character.
  
• Aftertaste: 1/3: Heavy alcohol taste, sour in the middle.
  
• Mouth-Feel: 2/3: Harsh, pronounced alcohol.
  

OVERALL: 1.5/3

TOTAL: 12/20–I'll Try A Pint

NOTES:
Matt: I appreciate the attempt, I like the orange in the middle, but it's way too heavy, too boozy. Still, I know people who swear by Two Jokers, and we did review this quite a while back, so it might be worth revisiting.
Ben: Alcohol is too overpowering. A lot of promise, but in the end it falls short and there are much better wits out there.