Peace Tree Templeton Barrel-Aged Red

The Peace Tree Brewing Company is in Knoxville, Iowa. I am assuming the base for this is their deliciously malty Red Rambler Ale. The beer is then aged for 12 months in Templeton Rye whiskey barrels from Templeton, Iowa. I've been on a mini-kick of Iowa beers aged in Iowa  whiskey barrels the past week, and I am here to tell you that the state of Iowa beer and Iowa whiskey is excellent! 

The beer pours a dark brown, ruby, garnet, burnt orange and dark amber in color. There is a short lived head of very light tan foam. The aroma is rye whiskey, vanilla, oak, dark caramel, and brown sugar. The taste follows the aromas with the malt and whiskey sweetness heading into dark dried fruits, almost spiced. The finish has a dry, astringent oaky woodiness that vies the sweetness to a tie. It is medium bodied, approaching full, but not reaching it, with a very subtle carbonation. It is a bit smooth and round in the mouth, with a boozy and warming ending (but not burning). The aftertaste is dark fruits like cherries and rye whiskey. This is a tasty charmer of a beer.

2017: Still tasting great, and now in the stubby bottles - The beer pours a hazy dark amber to medium brown, with tints of burnt orange. The aroma is oak, vanilla, cherry, malt, caramel, with some whiskey. The taste follows the aromas, lots of caramel, cherry, vanilla, and some whiskey, with enough oak to add some dryness to the finish and make it semi-sweet. The beer drinks very smooth and soft, with light carbonation. This is nice take on a barrel-aged, good flavors, but still easy drinking.