The oldest resident in my cellar has gotten itself drunk.
In 2009 when I was still just a fledgling beer geek, the hubby and I picked up a rather expensive bottle of Brooklyn Black Ops an 11.6% stout aged in bourbon barrels. This was our first real foray into serious beer purchasing and our first hesitant steps towards the creation of a beer cellar. Or in other words, resisting temptation to drink it right away we stashed the bottle in the farther (and coldest) corner of our office.
Black Ops pours blackest brown with some mocha head on the initial pour, which dies down to a nice ring around the glass and a slight skim. Big and boozy nose on the initial pour it quickly calms down to a caramel malt nose. First few sips are surprisingly smooth, no harshness from the alcohol, sweet and rich with just a hint of chocolate. Usually I find these big barrel aged beers to be very complex but Black Ops is deceptively simple and eminently drinkable. As you drink the warming sensation begins and there is medium body to this beer, not the viscous brew I was expecting, and this simplicity is really what contributes to its’ drinkability. The finish is kind of quiet with a lingering sweetness.
Overall, a very impressive beer and one that demonstrates the benefits of cellaring.
March 4th, 2014 at 12:32 am
So only partially gluten free I see? Or was this just to good to pass up. Health be damned. Lol I had an aged version of this although not that old and it was amazing! Glad you got to try it!
March 4th, 2014 at 1:35 am
It is my husband who is going gluten free but he did try some of this beer because it was too good to pass up 🙂
March 4th, 2014 at 1:47 am
Oh ok. I thought it was you. My bad. Your good. Haha. I must have miss read your post.
April 28th, 2014 at 7:08 pm
I still shy away from the $40 price tag on this one, but after reading a few reviews I may have to find more room in the cellar and wallet.
April 28th, 2014 at 7:21 pm
Not all but most of the sitting at $40+ are there for a good reason. They are amazing!
April 28th, 2014 at 8:22 pm
It is a tough call but these kind of beers are one-time occasion beers that are worth the price, in my opinion, as the higher price tag really does reflect the quality of the beer within.