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!

Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout

Goose Island Beer Company
Chicago, Illinois

APPEARANCE: 2.75/3
Black. Espresso-colored head that rings the glass.

AROMA: 2.25/4
Strong bourbon aroma. Oaky. Prune aroma. Mocha notes.

TASTE: 3.5/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 1.5/4: Really bitter hop up front–or is that alcohol? Malty.
Aftertaste: 1/3: Bourbon! Warming bitter. Tongue is tingling. Sourness. Coffee, chocolate, vanilla.
Mouth-Feel: 1/3: Alcohol. Weird mouth-taste, like your mouth has been laminated. Way, way too boozy.

OVERALL: 1/3: If I want bourbon, I'll buy bourbon. This is like a shot of bourbon dumped into a pint of stout. Entirely lacking in subtlety.

TOTAL: 9.5/20–Anything Else On Tap?

NOTES:
Matt: HUGE booze flavor–a lot more bourbon than I expected. When they said it was aged in bourbon barrels, I didn't realize there was still bourbon in it.
Ben: It's like adding bourbon to a mocha. 13% alcohol, and you can taste it, from start to finish. I can still feel the warming to my toes. This isn't beer, it's a mixed drink.