Anderson Valley Wild Turkey Bourbon Barrel Stout (8/10)

Solar-powered Anderson Valley Brewing Company of Boonville, California, is the birthplace of this Wild Turkey Bourbon Barrel Stout… so named because it’s aged for three months in Wild Turkey Bourbon barrels.

It pours nearly black with a finger-thick tan head that lingers a while, leaving thin lace-like lacing behind.

The aroma is a delicious combination of chocolate and bourbon.

The flavor is an excellent balance between dark-roasted malt, oaky vanilla, bourbon, and hops.  It’s quite delicious.

The Beer Advocate folks don’t care much for this one, perhaps because it’s much less hoppy (at 14 IBUs) than they typically prefer.  They rate it an 85.  The Rate Beer crowd seems to love it, giving Anderson Valley Wild Turkey Bourbon Barrel Stout a 97 out of 100.  My own rating is 8 out of 10, which is probably closer to the Beer Advocate score.

This is a hard one to find around town.  I’ve encountered it randomly at shops like Weiland’s Gourmet Market, The Andersons General Store, Ale Wine and Spirits of Powell, and others.

Flavor Profile:
Sweet, Malty, Dry, Bitter, or Sour: Malty
Spice Level:  None
Hops Level:  Low
Dominant Flavors: Bourbon, hops, oak, dark-roasted grain
ABV: 6.9%
IBU:  14
My Rating:  8/10