Beer Review: R&D Bourbon Barrel Kriek

Reviewing the R&D Bourbon Barrel Kriek from the New Glarus Brewing Company out of New Glarus, Wisconsin.

Score: 87

Brewed 01/18/10, bottled 08/06/10. Served in a Firestone Walker reserve series mini snifter and enjoyed on 01/24/14. Sampled side-by-side with New Glarus R&D Bourbon Barrel Kriek, R&D Sour Ale and R&D Very Sour Blackberry. Review is from iPhone notes.

Appearance: Pours a reddish brown “oh hey, are you a Flanders red?” color with a thin layer of fizzy head that settles to a ring around the glass. Good lacing and retention. 4.25/5

Smell: Cherry juice, vanilla and oak. Brown sugar too. Minimal apparent sourness, comes across as being sweet in the nose. 4/5

Taste: This is basically bourbon barrel aged Belgian Red. Sweet cherry juice, bourbon, light vinegar and funk, vanilla and oak. The cherry flavor is a bit medicinal towards the finish. No real sourness here — just a little crisp tartness towards the finish as it warms, lacking any real bite. Finishes with sweet cherry/oaky vanilla. 3.75

Mouthfeel: Viscous, low carbonation. Sweet and oily mouthfeel, with a modestly dry finish. 3.75

Overall: This beer is basically just bourbon barrel aged Belgian Red and sweet Flanders red-like in taste. Take that as you will, and seek out accordingly.

Cost: $8 for a 500 ml bottle.