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29-01-2021, 08:47
Visit The Beer Nut site (https://thebeernut.blogspot.com/2021/01/casks-from-cellar.html)
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-68b_O9UZ0Jo/YAQ1Wlfe1qI/AAAAAAAATq0/zekut6HDXOgUPkEsKHPxHbQCK6rZ1BEdwCLcBGAsYHQ/w170-h200/dot_brew_taking_liberties_red_ale.jpg (https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-68b_O9UZ0Jo/YAQ1Wlfe1qI/AAAAAAAATq0/zekut6HDXOgUPkEsKHPxHbQCK6rZ1BEdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/dot_brew_taking_liberties_red_ale.jpg)2021's doubtless plentiful sequence of DOT beers begins with this bunch, all launched in the dying days of last year. No IPAs this time -- we're going all-in with barrelly darkness.
The first is an exclusive to Blackrock Cellar, picked up on a sunny pre-Christmas spin to the coast. The big can is Taking Liberties, a barrel-aged red ale of 7.9% ABV. It needs a strong light source behind it to appear red, being otherwise stout-black. The aroma is sweet and slightly vinous: a touch of port and maybe some dark sherry. A lovely smooth texture and faint carbonation helps that sense, though the silky, creamy, milk chocolate foretaste brings us back to beer. The whiskey barrel elements are on the down-low, bringing a mild oak and toffee-pudding warmth to the second half, with a touch of sweet smouldering turf. While it's maybe a little plain given the heft and density, it can't be accused of being overdone. A nice bit of mellow winter fare.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yx2unG_BYjQ/YAQ1WgLr8RI/AAAAAAAATq8/O70jpxTbtV0tMMObWtw18z_yJtKSmA-xwCLcBGAsYHQ/w194-h200/dot_brew_rum_red_dark_batch_v.jpg (https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yx2unG_BYjQ/YAQ1WgLr8RI/AAAAAAAATq8/O70jpxTbtV0tMMObWtw18z_yJtKSmA-xwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/dot_brew_rum_red_dark_batch_v.jpg)I thought it would be interesting to compare this immediately with a more established DOT red. Rum Red Dark is now on edition number V. This is a blend of III and IV, neither of which I'd tasted, plus some fresh beer. The barrels are whiskey again, but ex-rum, of course. It's still pretty dark but a fair bit paler than the previous. And despite being stronger -- 8.6% ABV -- it's lighter and much more easy-going. There's a freshness to the flavour, a summery hum of strawberry, raspberry and sweet cherries. The age only really shows in the finish where there's a mature and musky oak spice, and that's what the aroma offers too. There's an almost sour briskness of a Flanders red in the smell. Neither whiskey nor rum make any obvious contribution to the picture, though I'm sure they play a part in a more subtle way. This wasn't what I was expecting, and I'm glad I wasn't hoping for a fireside sipper. I was quite content with some unseasonal summer sunshine in my glass, however.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E34O5Zmxgck/YAQ1WtJ1i_I/AAAAAAAATq4/3YO5tx7Z5pswH1mSUSQ5IiSuJdfPujFVQCLcBGAsYHQ/w177-h200/joels_barrel_aged_vietnamese_coffee_stout_vi.jpg (https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E34O5Zmxgck/YAQ1WtJ1i_I/AAAAAAAATq4/3YO5tx7Z5pswH1mSUSQ5IiSuJdfPujFVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/joels_barrel_aged_vietnamese_coffee_stout_vi.jpg)I t's back to Blackrock for the finisher, another annual reiteration. Joël's Barrel Aged Vietnamese Coffee Stout first appeared in these pages in 2018 (https://thebeernut.blogspot.com/2018/01/got-dot.html) when batch II was 6.9% ABV. Batch VI sees it grown to a strapping 8.95% ABV. The coffee is much more pronounced, though it's still smooth and sweet, with creamy vibes of Irish coffee and tiramisu. The wine thing is back: drier this time, more grape skin than flesh. Throw in a gin and tonic and you'd have all the drinks for a three-course meal. Again it's light-textured for the strength, and this time I would have preferred a bit more dessertish weight. Nevertheless, it's a fun beer and makes good use of both coffee and barrel ageing while still not going overboard on either.
This was a fun session, and showed lots of different things barrel-ageing can do, even in broadly similar strong dark beers. That my palate wasn't clogged with booze and vanilla by the end is a testament to DOT's skills.
More... (https://thebeernut.blogspot.com/2021/01/casks-from-cellar.html)
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-68b_O9UZ0Jo/YAQ1Wlfe1qI/AAAAAAAATq0/zekut6HDXOgUPkEsKHPxHbQCK6rZ1BEdwCLcBGAsYHQ/w170-h200/dot_brew_taking_liberties_red_ale.jpg (https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-68b_O9UZ0Jo/YAQ1Wlfe1qI/AAAAAAAATq0/zekut6HDXOgUPkEsKHPxHbQCK6rZ1BEdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/dot_brew_taking_liberties_red_ale.jpg)2021's doubtless plentiful sequence of DOT beers begins with this bunch, all launched in the dying days of last year. No IPAs this time -- we're going all-in with barrelly darkness.
The first is an exclusive to Blackrock Cellar, picked up on a sunny pre-Christmas spin to the coast. The big can is Taking Liberties, a barrel-aged red ale of 7.9% ABV. It needs a strong light source behind it to appear red, being otherwise stout-black. The aroma is sweet and slightly vinous: a touch of port and maybe some dark sherry. A lovely smooth texture and faint carbonation helps that sense, though the silky, creamy, milk chocolate foretaste brings us back to beer. The whiskey barrel elements are on the down-low, bringing a mild oak and toffee-pudding warmth to the second half, with a touch of sweet smouldering turf. While it's maybe a little plain given the heft and density, it can't be accused of being overdone. A nice bit of mellow winter fare.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yx2unG_BYjQ/YAQ1WgLr8RI/AAAAAAAATq8/O70jpxTbtV0tMMObWtw18z_yJtKSmA-xwCLcBGAsYHQ/w194-h200/dot_brew_rum_red_dark_batch_v.jpg (https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yx2unG_BYjQ/YAQ1WgLr8RI/AAAAAAAATq8/O70jpxTbtV0tMMObWtw18z_yJtKSmA-xwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/dot_brew_rum_red_dark_batch_v.jpg)I thought it would be interesting to compare this immediately with a more established DOT red. Rum Red Dark is now on edition number V. This is a blend of III and IV, neither of which I'd tasted, plus some fresh beer. The barrels are whiskey again, but ex-rum, of course. It's still pretty dark but a fair bit paler than the previous. And despite being stronger -- 8.6% ABV -- it's lighter and much more easy-going. There's a freshness to the flavour, a summery hum of strawberry, raspberry and sweet cherries. The age only really shows in the finish where there's a mature and musky oak spice, and that's what the aroma offers too. There's an almost sour briskness of a Flanders red in the smell. Neither whiskey nor rum make any obvious contribution to the picture, though I'm sure they play a part in a more subtle way. This wasn't what I was expecting, and I'm glad I wasn't hoping for a fireside sipper. I was quite content with some unseasonal summer sunshine in my glass, however.
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E34O5Zmxgck/YAQ1WtJ1i_I/AAAAAAAATq4/3YO5tx7Z5pswH1mSUSQ5IiSuJdfPujFVQCLcBGAsYHQ/w177-h200/joels_barrel_aged_vietnamese_coffee_stout_vi.jpg (https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E34O5Zmxgck/YAQ1WtJ1i_I/AAAAAAAATq4/3YO5tx7Z5pswH1mSUSQ5IiSuJdfPujFVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/joels_barrel_aged_vietnamese_coffee_stout_vi.jpg)I t's back to Blackrock for the finisher, another annual reiteration. Joël's Barrel Aged Vietnamese Coffee Stout first appeared in these pages in 2018 (https://thebeernut.blogspot.com/2018/01/got-dot.html) when batch II was 6.9% ABV. Batch VI sees it grown to a strapping 8.95% ABV. The coffee is much more pronounced, though it's still smooth and sweet, with creamy vibes of Irish coffee and tiramisu. The wine thing is back: drier this time, more grape skin than flesh. Throw in a gin and tonic and you'd have all the drinks for a three-course meal. Again it's light-textured for the strength, and this time I would have preferred a bit more dessertish weight. Nevertheless, it's a fun beer and makes good use of both coffee and barrel ageing while still not going overboard on either.
This was a fun session, and showed lots of different things barrel-ageing can do, even in broadly similar strong dark beers. That my palate wasn't clogged with booze and vanilla by the end is a testament to DOT's skills.
More... (https://thebeernut.blogspot.com/2021/01/casks-from-cellar.html)