471 IPA Barrel Series Hüll Melon

There is an aroma of rich malt, mostly caramel with toasted hints that may be from the wood. The beer has prevalent oaky wood aromas with whiskey barrel and vanilla overtones. Subtle tangerine hints from hops are lurking beneath the wood and malt. The color is light copper and very clear with a light head that persists. The flavor has well-developed complexity from intense hop bitterness, heavy whisky barrel flavors (oak, vanilla and spice) with a rich malt follow through. The malt is sweet caramel and balances well with the intensity of the wood and hops. The hop bitterness and barrel characteristics linger for some time. Carbonation is fairly strong and brings a carbonic bite that is a good counterpoint to the big malt backbone. Alcoholic warmth and spiciness from the whisky barrel are also present. This ain’t your Grandma’s Wood-Aged beer. The barrel character is quite evident, but you don’t feel like you are drinking a double IPA and bourbon boilermaker. No, there is a very nice complexity and balance to the intense flavors that are brought together in this offering. If you like big beers with big flavors, this one will get you there nicely.