Beer Review: Fourteen Fourteen

Reviewing the Fourteen Fourteen from Central Waters Brewing Company.
Score: 97

Tap pour served in a snifter glass and enjoyed on 03/24/12 at the Central Waters tap takeover at the Local Option during Chicago craft beer week.

Appearance: The beer is a black color with a thick caramel-colored strip atop the glass when held up to light. Served with a thin beige-colored head that settles to a bubbly ring around glass. Minimal lacing and retention. 4/5

Smell: Rich bourbon-soaked raisins and milk chocolate. Sweet fig, molasses, and a hint of vanilla extract. 4.5/5

Taste: Complex! A lot more bourbon flavor upfront than the nose led on, but it's not really "boozy" -- just warming on the tongue. Behind the bourbon is sweet milk chocolate covered raisins, fudge and a smooth molasses-y backbone with brown sugar flavor in the finish. A little dry whiskey spice in the throat off the swallow. Marshmallow and a hint of almond on the midpalate. Hint of burnt oak too. There's a faint hoppiness in the finish. I love these kind of beers that are loaded with complex bourbon and stout flavors without the bourbon bite from the barrel-aging. 4.75/5

Mouthfeel: Usually Central Waters' great downfall has been the mouthfeel of their barrel-aged beers, which are notoriously thin-bodied -- but not this one! Full bodied, low carbonation. This beer is dry and modestly sweet. 5/5

Overall: A knockout barrel-aged beer from Central Waters that does not let down in the mouthfeel department. Central Waters should seriously consider re-brewing this, packaging it in four-packs and then distributing it. It is easily Central Waters' best beer, and comparable in quality to Hill Farmstead's Damon in my opinion.

Recommendation: If you ever see this tapped again, run -- don't walk -- to the brewpub and order a couple of glasses.

Pairings: Filet Mignon.

Cost: $7 for a 10 oz snifter pour at the bar, or $10 for a 22 oz (bomber) bottle.