Lost & Found Barrel Aged Imperial Stout by Gnarly Barley Brewing Co. was judged under category 33B Specialty Wood Aged Beer, according to the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines.
Chocolate bar aromas meld with a dry roastiness alongside a pleasant warming of the nostrils from higher levels of alcohol.
Very dark brown in color, (too dark to comment on clarity) almost black with a deep amber head that held throughout this review.
The flavor profile produced a host of complexity that started with a deep rich roasted malt character that acted as a base for a harmonious blend of bourbon, vanilla, fruity esters indicating lengthy aging. Hops faintly evident here play only a supporting role in this malt-accentuated ale.
A full-bodied beer, very smooth, with a big smack of alcohol that was clearly evident yet not hot or offensive.
The base beer was well conceived and supported other barrel-aged complexities evident in other examples of this style.