Beer Review: Barrel Aged Sump (Rwandan Coffee Version)

Reviewing the Barrel Aged Sump (Rwandan Coffee Version) from Perennial Artisan Ales out of St. Louis, Missouri. This barrel aged variant of their Sump coffee stout uses the Kyoto brewing method to make a cold brew using Sump's Rwanda Rulindo coffee beans.

Score: 92

Tap pour bottle served in a Perennial taster glass and enjoyed on 05/13/14 at the Fuzzy release.

Appearance: Pours a dark syrup color with a thin layer of head. Minimal lacing or retention, but nice oily legs and browning from the swirl. 4/5

Smell: Chocolate, coffee, and a bit of that green pepper/jalepeno pepper aroma a la Bourbon County Brand Coffee Stout 2013 with a few months of age on it. Very light roast. No barrel character 3.5/5

Taste: Dark chocolate, light roast and residual coffee. A little burnt character and brown sugar too. Lingering brown sugar and dark chocolate. Really nice, bittersweet balance. No pepper from the nose in the taste. 4.5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus bodied, nice carbonation. Oily/creamy mouthfeel, mildly dry finish. Nice balance. 4.25/5

Overall: A tasty upgrade from regular Barrel Aged Sump flavor-wise, but where is the barrel character?

Cost: $25 for a 750 ml bottle.