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Michael McGuire's picture

Judge's Review: 96 Rating- Hell & High Water by Gnarly Barley Brewing Co.

February, 2022

Hell & High Water

Hell & High Water

Louisiana
United States
Hell & High Water, Gnarly Barley Brewing
Description 

A burly 10% stout brewed with a laundry list of dark malts for a deeply complex body, complemented by the addition of oats for a mouth-coating fullness. Our longest ever barrel-aged beer, it spent 18 months in Bourbon Barrels, resulting in a developed and dynamic body.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
10.0%
Malts: 
Two-row, C-60, C-120, Chocolate, Roasted Barley, Wheat, Oats, Belgian Candy Sugar
Hops: 
Cascade

 

 


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Judges Rating: 
96
Aroma: 
23 / 24
Appearance: 
6 / 6
Flavor: 
38 / 40
Mouthfeel: 
10 / 10
Overall Impression: 
19 / 20

Hell & High Water by Gnarly Barley Brewing Co. is exactly what its name says and was judged as a Specialty Wood-Aged Beer (BJCP sub-style 33B).  

It poured opaque inky black into the glass, forming only a thin tan head with little retention – not uncommon in imperial-strength beers. The aroma began with and maintained dark fruit and chocolate notes followed by moderate alcohol ones. Dominant flavors also favored a complex blending of base and specialty malts including roasted barley and chocolate along with subtle barrel characteristics of bourbon, oak and vanilla. The oatmeal made its presence felt through a silky texture on the palate rather than as a strong flavor element. 

The mouthfeel also included a full body, smoothness throughout the taste and alcohol warmth with no astringency. This beer’s drinkability is high both in spite of and because of its strength. For all the right reasons, this is a world-class brew.