Hoppin’ Frog Barrel Aged B.O.R.I.S.
I’ve had Hoppin’ Frog’s standard B.O.R.I.S. a few times since first encountering it back in December of 2010 and have thoroughly enjoyed each bottle. In that initial review you’ll notice that I ended it with a proclamation to hunt down the barrel-aged and double versions of that brew. Well, it’s nearly three years after the fact and I’ve finally run across a couple of bottles of the Barrel Aged B.O.R.I.S.
Aged in retired whiskey barrels, Barrel Aged B.O.R.I.S. has taken an already amazing beer and given it an increased depth and complexity of flavor. I wouldn’t necessarily say that this version of the beer is better, but the addition of the barrel aging certainly gives it a little something extra. Barrel Aged B.O.R.I.S. brings in elements of vanilla, a subtle woodiness and just the right amount of whiskey for one hell of beer.
Appearance
Barrel Aged B.O.R.I.S. pours thick and black, capped by a dark brown head that faded smoothly to full ring around the surface.
Aroma
In this order: chocolate, whiskey, coffee, vanilla and wood. Smooth oats rest in the background in this amazing aroma.
Taste
The beer tastes just as great as it smells. Chocolate, oats and coffee are joined by a distant charred wood and smooth layer of whiskey. The beer is full-bodied, viscous and deeply layered with flavors. Vanilla makes more of an appearance as the beer warms and the 60 IBU gives the beer the impression of black coffee astringency in the chest-warming finish. Barrel Aged B.O.R.I.S. slides smoothly over the tongue with each sip.
Overall
This is one of those beers that just nails the balance between the beer and the influences of barrel aging. Everything hits at just the right time and compliments the other elements of the flavor wonderfully. Barrel Aged B.O.R.I.S. is big, flavorful and a beer that I will have on my “watch list” whenever I’m at a store looking for something tasty.
Rating: 4.25/5
