Beerfection

Tag: Barrel-Aged

  • Arctic Ale 2025 | Brasserie Artisanale Albion

    Arctic Ale 2025 | Brasserie Artisanale Albion

    Score: 80/100 – Good

    Appearance 5/6

    The beer pours a clear dark brown with a low, thin, tan head. Poor foam retention. A good looking brew.

    Aroma 19/24

    Strong aroma with good balance. The aroma is musty, deep, and unique. There’s a distinct wild yeast character which is deeply earthy. Fruity esters and alcohol notes blend smoothly, complementing the yeast-driven profile. A moderate presence of dark and specialty malts adds depth without overwhelming. Noticeable oxidation contributes positively to the complexity. No apparent hop character.

    Flavour 34/40

    Follows the aroma with strong intensity, good balance, and assertive perceived bitterness. The musty flavour is driven by a blend of fruity esters, wild yeast, and alcohol. Dark and specialty malts follow, supported by pleasant oxidation which adds depth and complexity. No apparent hop character. The flavour is very good and notably unique, with a vinous quality that stands out. As with the aroma, the elements occasionally feel a bit disjointed.

    Mouthfeel 8/10

    Medium body with lively carbonation. The mouthfeel is prickly and slightly chewy with noticeable alcohol warming and a sweet finish. No astringency or harshness of any kind. Quite pleasant considering the strength.

    Overall 14/20

    Albion’s Arctic Ale is a good beer. The appearance is enticing, though slightly better head formation and retention would elevate it further. The aroma is complex and intriguing, but the components struggle to harmonize, creating a tension that detracts from the experience. The flavour follows suit – distinct and characterful, yet lacking cohesion. There is much to appreciate, but it falls short in finesse. The mouthfeel is pleasant and unobtrusive, though it lacks the weight expected at this strength. The alcohol is well hidden, but this is clearly a sipper.

    Overall, the sipping experience is enjoyable and Albion’s Arctic Ale is certainly worth trying, though it leaves a sense of something unresolved. The profile is layered and engaging, but the elements do not always align seamlessly.

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  • Blackburne Bourbon Barrel-Aged 2024 | Left Field Brewery

    Blackburne Bourbon Barrel-Aged 2024 | Left Field Brewery

    Score: 87/100 – Great

    Appearance 6/6

    The beer pours a clear black with a moderately tall, frothy, creamy, brown head. Great foam retention considering the very high ABV. A great looking brew!

    Aroma 22/24

    Strong intensity with good balance. The aroma is rich, deep, and inviting.

    A strong barrel character leads the way, complemented by prominent dark and specialty malt notes. The alcohol is noticeable, but in a positive way, and the oxidation adds a pleasant complexity. Mild esters are present with no discernible hop character. Outstanding!

    Flavour 37/40

    Strong intensity with good balance and aggressive perceived bitterness.

    The flavor mirrors the richness and depth of the aroma, with significant barrel character and dark/specialty malt notes. The alcohol is noticeable but doesn’t have a fusel-like quality. Pleasant oxidation adds an umami component. There are no prominent hop notes or esters, and no apparent off-flavors for the style.

    Mouthfeel 5/10

    Full body with low carbonation. The mouthfeel is viscous, heavy, and sharp with harsh alcohol warming and a luscious finish. No noticeable astringency but the beer is somewhat harsh on the palate due to the intensity of the warming sensation.

    Overall 17/20

    Left Field Brewery’s Bourbon Barrel-Aged Blackburne is an excellent beer.

    Fantastic appearance for the style – the foam attributes are impressive, which can be a challenge for beers of this strength. The aroma is intense, immediately grabbing your attention. The same can be said for the flavor as it delivers a bold punch in your mouth. The mouthfeel is rich and complements the rest of the beer nicely. However, the alcohol heat is a bit overpowering, diminishing the overall drinking experience.

    Overall, this is a beer worth trying, and I would happily drink it again. While it doesn’t quite stand out due to its sweetness and the strong alcohol warmth, they work together as the heat cuts through the sugar. Great flavour, this is a delicious beer.

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  • Péché Mortel Bourbon 2021 | Brasserie Dieu du Ciel!

    Péché Mortel Bourbon 2021 | Brasserie Dieu du Ciel!

    Score: 97/100 – World-Class

    Appearance 5/6

    The beer pours a clear black with low, dense, brown head. Poor foam retention. A good looking stout.

    Aroma 23/24

    Strong intensity with good balance. The aroma is intense, complex, and seductive.

    Big barrel notes pair extremely well with the coffee and dark malts. A healthy dose of esters, alcohol, and oxidation marry the rest of the character while adding layers. Enticing aroma.

    Flavour 40/40

    Strong intensity with great balance and very assertive perceived bitterness.

    Fantastic depth of flavour featuring a marriage of barrel, dark malts, esters, hops, and special ingredients. Masterfully executed. Top-notch.

    Mouthfeel 10/10

    Medium-full body with low carbonation. The mouthfeel is slick and smooth with restrained alcohol warming and a sweet finish. A hint of astringency but no actual harshness on the palate. Heavy impact.

    Overall 19/20

    Péché Mortel Bourbon 2021 is a world-class barrel-aged imperial stout.

    It’s astonishing how well this beer has held over the last few years. I’ve had very few stouts developing so beautifully over time. Most of the time 24 months leave a dent in the beer that makes me crave it fresh. That’s not the case here.

    Glorious flavour and overall character with fabulous mouthfeel make this a wonderful treat. Sure, I ended up preferring the 2022 and most recent 2023 editions but 2021 is absolutely worth your time, even in 2024.

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  • Péché Mortel Bourbon 2022 | Brasserie Dieu du Ciel!

    Péché Mortel Bourbon 2022 | Brasserie Dieu du Ciel!

    Score: 100/100 – World-Class

    Appearance 6/6

    The beer pours a clear black with tall, dense, creamy, brown head. Great foam retention. Gorgeous appearance.

    Aroma 24/24

    Strong intensity with great balance. The aroma is complex as it is enticing.

    Dark malts, coffee, and barrel take center stage. Significant oxidation brings it all together. Some esters and alcohol add layers with a complementary, low hop character. No apparent off-notes. World-class.

    Flavour 40/40

    Strong intensity with bitter-ish balance and very assertive perceived bitterness.

    Big dark malts and coffee pair superbly with the bourbon character. Truly a marriage of malt, special ingredients, barrel, and oxidation. World-class.

    Mouthfeel 10/10

    Medium-full body with low carbonation. The mouthfeel is heavy and quite viscous yet smooth with restrained alcohol warming and a sweet finish. A trace of astringency with no actual harshness on the palate. Heavy impact.

    Overall 20/20

    Péché Mortel Bourbon 2022 is an amazing beer. It’s brimming with character, complexity, and charm. The age shows more compared to the 2023 version but it adds a delightful dimension to the beer. This is a must-try, bucket list kind of brew.

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  • Alfheim | Brasserie Artisanale Albion

    Alfheim | Brasserie Artisanale Albion

    Score: 91/100 – Outstanding

    Appearance 4/6

    The beer pours a clear deep gold with very little, thin, white head. Poor foam retention. Nice colour and clarity.

    Aroma 22/24

    Medium-strong intensity with good balance. The aroma is perfumy, funky, and quite elegant.

    Notable farmyard funk and fruity tones pair well with barrel and mild supportive malt character. It’s hard to say if there are hops in there but the earthiness is making me think of them. A tiny bit of alcohol with no apparent off-notes. Great nose!

    Flavour 38/40

    Strong intensity with sharp balance and moderate perceived bitterness.

    Quite a bit of mixed acidity – between lactic and acetic (that I can tell), but without going overboard. Vivid barrel character and farmyard funk along with fruity esters and mild pale malt. A splash of alcohol and no off-flavours. Excellent.

    Mouthfeel 9/10

    Medium-light body with moderate carbonation. The mouthfeel is slightly puckering and fizzy with restrained alcohol warming and an off-dry finish. A trace of astringency with no actual harshness on the palate.

    Overall 18/20

    Another fantastic beer from Albion. In less than two years, they’ve become one of my favourite Canadian breweries.

    Alfheim is an outstanding sour beer with a beautiful sense of restraint. I could finish a whole bottle on my own and not feel overwhelmed. Superb balance, good drinkability, and a touch of intrigue make this a beer worth seeking out. Highly recommended.

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  • My Lord | Brasserie Artisanale Albion

    My Lord | Brasserie Artisanale Albion

    Score: 86/100 – Great

    Appearance 3/6

    The beer pours a slightly hazy amber with barely any head. Poor foam formation and retention. Ok appearance.

    Aroma 21/24

    Medium-strong intensity with good balance. The aroma is interesting, perfumy, and straight up offbeat.

    Significant brett character pairs well with notable alcohol and fruity esters. Gentle malt character rounds out edges while low hops add layers.

    Flavour 38/40

    Strong intensity with bitter balance and assertive perceived bitterness.

    The flavour is distinctive to say the least. Prominent earthy-fruity brett character is complimented by citrusy-herbal hops and a firm mix of pale and specialty malts. Mild floral tones and a splash of alcohol. Complex and intriguing.

    Mouthfeel 7/10

    Medium body with very low carbonation. The mouthfeel is a bit slick with mild fizziness and restrained alcohol warming. Medium-dry finish. No astringency or harshness on the palate but it’s a little lifeless.

    Overall 17/20

    My Lord is something I tried for the first time a few months ago. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it as it’s an eccentric beer. I decided to pick up another bottle before they were gone in order to write about it.

    Overall this is a great beer. There’s a lot of flavour presented in a balanced and complex whole which on its own is enough reason to try this. The appearance is lacking just like the mouthfeel. If those were improved, this brew would stand out. If you manage to find a bottle somewhere, grab it. One thing is for sure: drink this warm!

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  • Chevalier Vert | Brasserie Artisanale Albion

    Chevalier Vert | Brasserie Artisanale Albion

    Score: 95/100 – Outstanding

    Appearance 6/6

    The beer pours a brilliant, medium amber with massive, dense, creamy, tan head. Persistent foam. Glorious appearance. Top notch.

    Aroma 22/24

    Medium intensity with good balance. The aroma is delicate yet complex and it has an enticing quality to it.

    Wonderful balance between the yeast, hops, and malt. A healthy dose of brett but it doesn’t dominate the nose. No off-notes or alcohol. Lovely.

    Flavour 38/40

    Medium-strong intensity with great balance and pronounced perceived bitterness.

    The yeast and hops take the lead while being supported by the malt. Pleasant minerality ties it all together. The flavour is fruity-earthy-flinty and it’s fabulous.

    Mouthfeel 7/10

    Medium body with moderate carbonation. The mouthfeel is crisp yet creamy with restrained alcohol warming and an off-dry finish. No astringency or harshness of any kind on the palate. Excellent!

    Overall 19/20

    Albion does it again. This beautiful brett pale ale really stands out.

    It’s missing the intangibles of a world-class brew, but it’s well worth seeking out. The beer is delicate yet characterful and it boasts fantastic drinkability with superb balance. There are no flaws.

    What can I say? Please, sir, I want some more?

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  • Sanctuaire | Microbrasserie Le Castor

    Sanctuaire | Microbrasserie Le Castor

    Score: 71/100 – Average

    Appearance 6/6

    The beer pours a veiled gold with moderately tall, frothy, off-white head. Decent foam retention. Highly effervescent. A good-looking beer.

    Aroma 19/24

    Medium-strong intensity with good balance. The aroma is fruity and somewhat vinous with a delicate quality.

    Esters, barrel character, and alcohol dominate. Low pale malt and a suggestion of tartness from a trace of vinegar. No apparent hops. Very good aroma.

    Flavour 29/40

    Strong intensity with sharp balance and moderate perceived bitterness.

    Mixed lactic and acetic acidity dominate the flavour. Fruity esters and alcohol along with some barrel character follow. Low pale malt at the back. THP shows up in the finish. Good flavour.

    Mouthfeel 6/10

    Medium-light body with high carbonation. The mouthfeel is prickly and sharp with restrained alcohol warming and dry finish. Moderate astringency and some harshness on the palate. Slightly lacking…

    Overall 11/20

    Overall, Sanctuaire lands at the upper end of average beer. It’s drinkable and has some pleasant layers to it. I imagine some people might even like this a lot.

    The aroma stands out as my favourite attribute of the beer. Yet, there are issues. The mouthfeel is rather sharp with qualities flirting with diminishing drinking experience. The overall flavour lacks refinement and the THP in the finish – even if I don’t mind it too much – is considered a fault.

    I like this more than yesterday’s barleywine, but it also confirms that I’ll be focusing on other breweries in the next bit as I find the value with Le Castor is just not there for me.

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  • Ursa Major | L’Octant Microbrasserie

    Ursa Major | L’Octant Microbrasserie

    Score: 79/100 – Good

    Appearance 6/6

    The beer pours a clear black (opaque in glass) with tall, dense, brown head. Great foam retention.

    Aroma 21/24

    Strong intensity with decent balance. The aroma leans heavy into the barrel with big woody character and pronounced fruity tones.

    Noticeable alcohol. Moderate dark malts and esters. Very little – if any – perceivable hop character. Mild oxidation. Something seems off but it’s buried in significant complexity.

    Flavour 34/40

    Follows the aroma with strong intensity, decent balance, and assertive perceived bitterness.

    Heavy barrel character, alcohol, and dark malts dominate. Pleasant oxidation, noteworthy esters, and no apparent off-flavours. The hops still seem to elude me…

    Mouthfeel 6/10

    Full body with low carbonation. The mouthfeel is viscous and oily with a mild acrid quality. The alcohol warming is rather strong and there’s significant astringency on the palate. The beer finishes sweet. Somewhat harsh – especially for 8% ABV.

    Overall 12/20

    This is an interesting one… Ursa Major packs more character than most 8 percenters have any right to have. I love that. At the same time, the beer is rough around the edges and it lacks finesse.

    The appearance is fantastic and the depth of character is commendable. However, there’s a lack of balance and the drinking experience is diminished by harshness on the palate.

    Overall, I consider this worth trying, but at the price point I wouldn’t drink it regularly. With some fine-tuning, this could be an excellent beer.

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  • Cheminée des Feux Follets | Microbrasserie Pit Caribou

    Cheminée des Feux Follets | Microbrasserie Pit Caribou

    Score: 89/100 – Great

    Appearance 6/6

    The beer pours a clear black with generous, dense, mocha head. Good foam retention. A great looking stout.

    Aroma 19/24

    Strong intensity with decent balance. The aroma is rich and deep with massive barrel character. Pronounced dark malts and a bit of booze. There are borderline vinegary, deeply earthy, and somewhat acetic suggestions that make me nervous about how this beer will develop.

    Flavour 38/40

    Follows the aroma with mammoth intensity, great balance, and assertive perceived bitterness. The flavour is pretty darn glorious for a sub-ten-percenter brew. Bold dark malts with heavy barrel and significant chili heat. Delicious.

    Mouthfeel 10/10

    Medium-full body with low carbonation. The mouthfeel is somewhat slick with a velvety quality to it. Heavy heat from the chili but without being too overwhelming. Sweet finish helps with the warming sensation. Sure, there’s harshness… it’s a chili beer. Perfect mouthfeel for the type of beer it is.

    Overall 16/20

    What a great barrel-aged chili stout. For the elevated ABV this packs more character than most sub 10% beers. I’m wondering if there’s a printing error on the label as previous vintages have clocked in at more than 10% ABV.

    Looking at the overall flavour, I’m a bit nervous about this beer being taken over by bacteria. There are signs of spoilage organisms in the character. At the same time, if you’re drinking this right now, it’s a darn treat.

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  • Porter Baltique 3 Fèves | Archibald Microbrasserie

    Porter Baltique 3 Fèves | Archibald Microbrasserie

    Score: 87/100 – Great

    Appearance 4/6

    The beer pours a slightly hazy dark brown with low, creamy, tan head. Poor foam retention.

    Aroma 23/24

    Strong intensity with sweet balance. The aroma is rich, round, and dessert-like.

    Adjuncts dominate. Prominent milk chocolate and vanilla with caramel and molasses. Nice barrel character and mild oxidation at the back. Quite complex.

    Flavour 36/40

    Follows the aroma with strong intensity, good balance, and pronounced perceived bitterness.

    Great flavour. The beer’s sweet but there’s a saltiness and enough alcohol to cut through it. Specialty malt, adjuncts, and barrel take center stage.

    Mouthfeel 9/10

    Medium-full body with moderate carbonation. The mouthfeel is mildly chewy with a bit of fizz and an overall smooth quality. Noticeable alcohol warming and a sweet finish. A bit of a bite on the tongue but no harshness.

    Overall 15/20

    For the most part, this is a great beer.

    The appearance is ok – missing foam and clarity, offering nothing special. I love the luxurious aroma which is dominated by special ingredients. The palate follows with better balance and very enjoyable character. I think the barrel doesn’t come through as much as I’d like and the adjuncts overshadow the base recipe. The beer ends up feeling a little heavy-handed and missing finesse.

    Having said that, Archibald delivers beyond my expectations by delivering a pleasant sipping experience.

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  • No. 13 Tennessee | Microbrasserie Pit Caribou

    No. 13 Tennessee | Microbrasserie Pit Caribou

    Score: 69/100 – Average

    Appearance 6/6

    The beer pours a clear black with moderate, dense, creamy, deep tan head. Very good foam retention. A great looking brew.

    Aroma 15/24

    Medium intensity with good balance. The aroma is surprisingly restrained (borderline muted) featuring a mix of dark malt, alcohol, barrel, and oxidation. Barrel and malt lead but the oxidation has gone too far. Clearly past prime and I’m wondering if this is from storage/temperature issues.

    Flavour 28/40

    Strong intensity with sweet balance and pronounced perceived bitterness. Same as aroma: malt, alcohol, barrel, and oxidation rule with the age showing itself too much. This must’ve been much better when it first came out. I’m now leaning even more towards warm storage issues considering how much T2N there is. It just doesn’t make sense that such high alcohol beer would be this far gone in the time frame.

    Mouthfeel 8/10

    Medium body with low carbonation. The mouthfeel is slick yet there’s a sense of thinness there. Restrained alcohol warming with a sweet finish. Mild astringency on the palate with no actual harshness.

    Overall 12/20

    I’m sad to report, but oxidation has gotten the best of this beer. I picked up the bottle from a store shelf; where it likely spent months considering the level of oxidation for such a hefty brew. I’ve had imperial stouts after two to three years which demonstrate the same level of aging. A month on a shelf at room temperature can equal seven months in a cold fridge. I’d try this again but I’d have to know it’s fresh.

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