Judge’s Review: 96 Rating – Grape Expectations by Irrigation Ales

Specialty Wood-Aged Beer | Seasonal | USA

By Jim Koebel

Judges Rating: 96
Aroma: 22
Appearance: 5
Flavor: 40
Mouthfeel: 10
Overall Impression: 19

Grape Expectations by Irrigation Ales was judged as a Specialty Wood-Aged Beer via the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines (Category 33B). The base style is Baltic Porter (Style 9C) and it contains Frontenac red grapes.
Initially, the aroma closely resembles the base Bmperial porter style. It is roasty with notes of dark chocolate, baking chocolate and tobacco. An earthy hop character is also present, and the aroma is not sweet or sugary. As it warms, it takes on a distinct and pleasant red wine character.
Unsurprisingly, this beer pours a dark brown color and has a low, tan head. The red wine character is much more apparent, and still very pleasant, in the flavor. It has more complex notes of tannin and oak. None of this clashes with the otherwise bold Baltic porter flavors, which somehow take a backseat here. The flavor is also dry and somewhat bitter. There is no astringency, and the body is medium-full with gentle carbonation.
Overall, this is an amazing beer. It is perfectly aged, and its many complex flavors manage to remain subtle and smooth throughout, which is a nice change from the many run-of-the-mill barrel-aged beers that slam you over the head with their overly bold flavors.