Bourbon Barrel Raspberry Stout with Vanilla Beans by Hardywood Park Craft Brewery is a fruited and barrel-aged Imperial Stout and is being evaluated as a Specialty Wood-Aged Beer (category 33B from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Specialty Wood-Aged Beers are aged in spirit barrels and should have a harmonious blend between the barrel characters (typically vanilla and toasted oak) and the barrel spirits. Imperial Stouts are noted for strong, rich chocolate and roasted malt flavors, black color with opaque clarity, full body and smooth mouthfeel. The fruit in Fruit Beers should complement the base style without overwhelming it. Bourbon Barrel Raspberry Stout is brewed with cacao nibs, raspberries, Madagascar vanilla beans and was aged in bourbon barrels.

Bourbon Barrel Raspberry Stout pours black in color, is opaque, and sports a medium, dark brown head. The aroma is moderate raspberry blended with roasted and chocolate malt; a light bourbon and a hint of dried fruit exists in the background. The flavor is well-balanced chocolate and roasted malts with raspberries. A light acidity is balanced by a light sweetness. Light bourbon, toasted oak, actual vanilla beans and a hint of tobacco add a layer of complexity. The beer finishes with a moderately light bitterness with moderate chocolate and roasted malt over a slightly lighter raspberry flavor with a lingering light bourbon, toasted oak and vanilla.

Bourbon Barrel Raspberry Stout is a solid fruited and spiced barrel-aged stout. The balance between the raspberries and dark malt flavors are at the forefront while the bourbon, barrel and vanilla bean characters add complexity. This beer is certain to find favor with those that like raspberry fruit beers as much as it will for those that seek out bourbon barrel-aged imperial stouts. Enjoy!