Bourbon Barrel Quad from Boulevard Brewing

By Don

As we were leaving my sister-in-law's house the day after Christmas, she pulled out two more bottles of beer that she intended to open during our visit, but we never got around to it!  She gave them to me as we were leaving and said, "Let me know how they are."  More Christmas gifts the day AFTER Christmas! :-)

One of those bottles was a 750ml bottle that looked almost as if someone brewed it at home and wrote the name on the bottle with a magic marker!

Boulevard Brewing was founded in 1989 in a state that is no stranger to brewing beer ... Missouri!  They are based in Kansas City.  According to their website, their brews are available in many places throughout the U.S.  Unfortunately, they're not available within 100 miles of Central PA.  :-(

Bourbon Barrel Quad is a special limited release that is part of their "Smokestack Series."  It's a Belgian style dark ale.

Picture from www.boulevard.com

At 11.8% ABV and with 750ml to drink, I knew I had to share this one.  I thought that New Year's Eve would be the perfect time to share so I took the bottle to my neighbor's house to ring in the New Year.  I also have to share the picture (right) of the bottle from Boulevard's website because it looks so much better than the picture that I took.

Bourbon Barrel Quad opens like a Champagne bottle complete with a 'pop!' as you remove the cork.  It was a great addition to our New Year's Eve celebration.

This is one complex ale.  It's an abbey-style quadrupel that is separated into oak bourbon barrels and aged - sometimes for up to three years!  Cherries are added during fermentation as well.

This is a great sit-by-the-fire-on-a-cold-winter-night brew.  It pours to medium-bodied toffee color with toffee and vanilla hints in the aroma.  It has a minimal head but good lacing on the glass.

Bourbon Barrel Quad gives you a nice warming feeling.  Like a good red wine, it has a good earthy, woody taste with some nice cherry hints.

Do yourself a favor.  Find some Bourbon Barrel Quad and a couple friends.  Then, wait for a nice winter storm, light a fire and enjoy!  Don't rush this one.  Savor it.  Sip it.  Heck, let it age some more.

Great selection from the folks at Boulevard!

Cheers!