Upon opening this highly anticipated smokebeer, one speculated if this beer, Bourbon Barrel Wood Burner by Jackie O’s Brewery, would take the paint off of a car. Some were repulsed by this inquiry, but others were intrigued. This dark-as-hell barrel aged beer from Athens, Ohio, captured The Ministry’s imagination. This beer tastes like a wine that spontaneously generated inside a tire factory. Joe The Blacksmith found this beer fitting for the darkest day of winter. The barrel aging really did a number on this beer, and that number is 6.5. Other tastes and sensations mentioned include sweet and burnt molasses, caramel, vanilla extract, and black licorice. The 11% abv plus bourbon barrel burns the nose, and the real mystery is why didn’t all this materialize into a higher score?, because we’re the kind of people who like it that way. I think less barrel may be needed. Overall score = 4.75 smokestacks out of 7.
| Brewer | Jackie O’s |
| Beer Name | Wood Burner (bourbon barrel) |
| Brewer’s Description | The base stout focuses on rich caramel and chocolate notes with a deep savory/smoky backbone. The entire batch found its way into bourbon barrels where it rested for over a year. An enticing combination of sweet and savory, with waves of dark chocolate and vanilla that wash over the palate. |
| Food Pairings | several thick steaks |
| Brewery Location | Athens, OH |
| Alcohol content by volume | 11% |
| IBU (International Bitterness Units) | na |
| Beer opacity rate 1 – 7 (light – dark) | 5.75 |
| Smell smoke? 1 – 7 (No – George Burns) | 3 |
| Smokepower taste: 1 – 7 Smokestacks | 3.5 |
| Sausage detection? Y or N | N |
| Beer thickness 1-7 (water – used motor oil) | 5 |
| Barrel Power 1-7 (in name only – burns nose) | 6.5 |
| Overall Happiness: 1 – 7 (sad – happy) | 4.75 |
The website could use some sprucing up.
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