You’ve Got a Friend in Me

You’ve Got A Friend In Me by Peter B’s Brewpub is a Barrel-Aged Amber and is being evaluated as a Specialty Wood-Aged Beer (2015 BJCP Category 33B) offering according to BJCP guidelines. For this style expect the base beer style blended well with characteristics picked up during the wood-aging (including alcoholic products previously in contact with the wood). The best examples will be smooth, flavorful, well-balanced and well-aged.

I am presented with a clear, dark amber-colored beer with a large, creamy and lightly bubbled light beige head, long retention with some lined lacing. The aroma is wet oak, tart cherries and lightly sweet bourbon. The flavor is soft bourbon, light acidity, medium oak and associated tannins, and lightly toasted bread malt. The finish is dry with a lingering berry note. Medium body and medium-light carbonation.

Further analysis yields light nutmeg character in the aroma, light tartness in the flavor along with red grape tannins. Underneath the wood-aged character there is an amber ale with light caramel and toast malt character, though the hop character is difficult to discern. The hops that are present yield floral character and light bitterness, seemingly overshadowed by the tannic and acidic qualities.