What Our Panel Thought
Aroma: “Lots of alcohol up front—whiskey, vanilla, and oak. There’s a touch of fresh-split campfire wood. Caramel and toffee, plum, biscuit, rich malt behind the whiskey and oak. Slight earthy notes. Marshmallow sweetness with caramel and light chocolate mixed with a touch of fruitiness.”
Flavor: “Caramel toffee, vanilla, and oak. Sweetness fades into the fairly dry finish. Earthy hops flavor is really nice and balances the malt sweetness. Balanced on the finish. Medium hops spiciness with a touch of caramel.”
Overall: “Very classic, if there is such a measure for barrel-aged imperial brown ales. The barrel supports the beer nicely, and the beer supports the barrel. Fairly boozy imperial brown with supporting spicy barrel character. Well-balanced, with impeccable flow.”
What the Brewers Say
“Our Imperial Brown Ale aged in retired American oak bourbon barrels. Balancing rich toasty and chocolate malt flavors with a gentle balance of noble hops, Bravo is brewed to showcase barrel flavors with massive bourbon-barrel notes that morph as the beer warms in the glass.”
