Sierra Nevada Barrel-Aged Bigfoot Barleywine

In 2013, to honor the 30th anniversary of their Bigfoot Barleywine, the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company of Chico, California had a limited release of the beer that had been aged in whiskey barrels. It is 12.2% ABV.

The beer pours a very dark brown and cloudy. There is a short, thin and short lived head of off-white to very light tan head. The aroma is caramel, toffee, vanilla, lots of oaky wood, with an undertone of whiskey that grows as the beer warms. The taste takes all of the notes of the aroma, but melds them together in a much more blended and harmonious way, with the malt melting into the wood, blending into the whiskey. It warms without being boozy. There is dark, sweet fruitiness that blends in as well. The finish has an astringent and woody dryness. It is fairly bitter. The beer drinks smooth, full, rich and round. Nice one, they should do this more often!