Infused with coffee and cacao nibs, our Blonde Stout spent a year wetting its beak in freshly used bourbon barrels. Barrel Aged Penguin (11%) is a complex conundrum boasting balanced notes of bright coffee, rich chocolate, subtle vanilla and toasted oak. Penguin was a collaboration with our friends at Three Weavers in Inglewood, CA.

Reviews are done by Jim Matt, our Chief Science Officer, who is also a veteran FoBAB judge, GABF judge, and BJCP Master judge.

Malts: Golden Promise, Flaked Oats, Golden Naked Oats, with additions of coffee and cacao nibs in the barrel.

Hops: Bravo, Glacier

What was the barrel aging process for this beer?

The beer was aged for 11 months in New Riff bourbon barrels.

Why bourbon barrels?

They have a nice round vanilla and oak character that complements this beer perfectly.

What are Barrel Aged Penguin’s notable characteristics?

Tastes “stouty” despite its dark gold color, and really holds up to barrel aging quite well.

What gets you excited about this beer?

Very few blond stouts exist in the market and fewer still are barrel aged, so we are really psyched about that!

Appearance: Dark gold, approaching amber with some haze. Medium low carbonation. Moderate off-white head.

Aroma: Complex mélange of light bourbon, vanilla, oak, coffee and chocolate. Light fruity esters. Malt character is relatively low and overshadowed by the barrel, coffee and chocolate.

Taste: Upfront bourbon, vanilla fades into balanced coffee and chocolate flavors. Long, off dry finish. Medium low hop bitterness, and low earthy hop flavor.

Mouthfeel: Medium body, medium carbonation, lightly creamy with a hint of alcohol warmth.

Overall: A bit of an enigma, tastes like a stout but looks like a golden ale. Smooth and complex and quite unique!

What foods would pair well with Barrel Aged Penguin?

White chocolate or Crème Brulée.

Ideal glassware for Barrel Aged Penguin?

10 oz snifter.