Northgate Old Ale (Bourbon Barrel Aged)

This is a 9.0% ABV limited release from Northgate Brewing of the Northeast area of Minneapolis, Minnesota. I have bottle 327 of 1,000.  The bottle describes their old all as a full-bodied, malty, English-style ale. This release is aged in bourbon barrels.

The beer pours a hazy medium-dark brown and burnt orange. There is a half inch of dark off-white to light beige head. The aroma is dark fruits, plums and cherries, raisins, toffee, oak, vanilla, with a light bourbon booziness. The taste follows the aromas, there is more fruit in the aroma, and more malt in the taste, caramel and toffee. The bourbon is more pronounced in the taste, and an almost smokey note comes in from the bourbon. The beer drinks very smooth, but also with a warming alcohol burn. There is plenty of sweetness in the malt, but it never overwhelms, and the finish is dry. This is a really nice and tasty sipper.