Day 40, 2.9.11., Innis & Gunn - Scottish Oak Aged Ale

This was a Christmas gift from my wife's Uncle Walter and Aunt Zita.  They travel to Canada quite a bit and picked this up in Vancouver.  Innis & Gunn Scottish Oak Aged Ale is a limited release beer produced in Scotland in celebration of Canada Day, a holiday with a ridiculous sounding name.  It's a partial rye mash beer that is aged in Canadian whiskey barrels. 

The small (12oz-ish) bottle came in it's own little red box (which is probably for the best since they use clear glass).  It's a dark red beer with a little bit of fluffy white head.  On the nose, smoke and caramel lead and give way to hints of vanilla and a bit of dried stone fruits. 
The body to me was fairly light, especially compared to other oak aged beer I've had.  These beers tend to be stouts, and big barley wines.
It's a malty beer though, with the palate offering brown sugar maltyness and a definite oakyness.  There are hints of the rye as well, sharper notes that could be mistaken for the malt bitterness that is also present.  That malt bitterness finishes the palate, lingering after each sip. 
This is an interesting little beer, with a lot going on and some true character.  7 out of 10.

Day 13, 1.13.11, Dogfish Head - Burton Baton

I have been a big fan of Dogfish Head ever since that first sip of 90 Minute IPA a few years back.  Since then, I've found everything they make... interesting.  Usually good but always pushing the limits of beer as we know it, and making the styles of beer that no other brewery is even thinking about.
Today I've got a bottle of Burton Baton.  It's an oak-aged imperial IPA.  Sam Calagione told me (via video on the Dogfish Head website) That its actually a blend of an old English ale and an IPA that mellows in oak for about a month.  It's 10%ABV and 70 IBU.

It's lovely deep amber and hazy unfiltered.  On the nose the hops are surprisingly subtle; more prevalent is the earthy, oaky aromas.  But the hops are certainly there on the palate.  It's delightfully bitter, though there is not a lot of hop flavor.  There is a bit of dried fruit and a substantial alcohol burn.  The oak has definitely taken off the edge though and rounded the flavors nicely.  The body isn't huge though, so not a ton of malt to balance the hefty bitterness.  That compromises the beer a bit for me but it certainly doesn't ruin it.  Also, I've had some oak aged beer that is way too tannic and earthy bitter.  That isn't the case here and I think that the oak has really added to the beer.  It's really nice to drink.  8 out of 10.

Also, when you try to finish it quickly and get your blog post written and get to bed... it really gets you a bit tipsy.