Judge’s Review: 97 Rating – Corylus by Pure Project Brewing

Specialty Wood-Aged Beer | Limited Release | USA

By Randy Scorby

Judges Rating: 97
Aroma: 24
Appearance: 6
Flavor: 39
Mouthfeel: 9
Overall Impression: 19

Corylus by Pure Project Brewing is being evaluated as a Specialty Wood-Aged Beer (Category 33B) from the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines.
Corylus greets you with a deep black and opaque appearance. There is no head initially, which is not unusual in a higher-alcohol, barrel-aged beer, but a swirl brings a light ring of fine bubbles around the glass, along with thick brown sheeting and heavy legs that descend slowly back into the beer. The dark cacao aroma hit upon opening the bottle, and it more or less exploded when it was poured into the glass. The overall aroma is rich and complex with vanilla from the barrel-aging, dark roast coffee and a light nuttiness as the beer opens and vents. A low level of malt-derived esters consisting of figs, plums and Bing cherries emerge late along with light, spicy alcohol. As expected, no hop aroma was detected.
The flavor followed with prominent dark cacao and dark roast coffee, with a hit of vanilla as they start to fade down. The hazelnuts shine through more in the flavor, offering even more complexity alongside the dark fruit esters that exist more in the background. Medium hop bitterness emerges mid-palate and lingers into a medium-sweet finish that stops short of being cloying. The moderately low spicy alcohol is complementary and adds to the tremendous complexity of the beer. Corylus is very full bodied with moderately low carbonation. The alcohol warming is firm but smooth throughout.
This is a tremendously well-brewed beer that made me long for a snowy day and a fire crackling in the fireplace. The richness and complexity of the aroma and flavor keep you coming back for more. When you pop the cap on this world-class brew, make sure that you have plenty of time left in the day to enjoy it.