Normally good manners would dictate only one review per ale, and not blogging under the influence. But in the case of the Barrel Aged version of Dark Horse's Plead the 5th, all bets are off. I intend to review it, and review it again until I don't have any more left. In the summer of 2010 I sampled an 'experimental' brew from Dark Horse - my comments were "This beats out Founders KBS and Goose Island's Bourbon County Stout. It was perfectly balanced" it was the best ale on the planet - I came back for a second round, and confirmed it. Last winter I tried it again, in the cold, in a plastic glass, it was ok. But this year, holy smokes its back, the greatest ale on the planet. I showed up early (2 AM) to ensure I got my share. Truth be told I just had beer anxiety and couldn't sleep. December 8th was the 4Elf party and I was there to get my share of Barrel Aged Plead the 5th. Not to get off subject but the party was awesome, the feast was amazing (so good I may or may not have lost a tooth chowing down on some ribs) and all in all I had a great time sampling all of kinds of crazy beer waiting in line.
Back to Barrel Aged Plead the 5th. It has the initial nose and flavor of dark fruits, vanilla, chocolate, and light caramel notes. It burns in the throat and as it warms up has a boozy grainy aroma. This ale gives Dark Lord a run for its money. It's so rich, creamy, full bodied and overflowing with caramel malt, raisin, just freaking amazing.
The only way to correctly rate this beer is to put it side by side with the most highly acclaimed barrel aged stouts in the world, and guess what, I intend to do just that. I broke open a Bourbon County Stout just to confirm that yes, Plead the 5th BA is more complex, perhaps not as boozy, but definitely more complex.
So there it is folks. The best beer in the world.
Back to Barrel Aged Plead the 5th. It has the initial nose and flavor of dark fruits, vanilla, chocolate, and light caramel notes. It burns in the throat and as it warms up has a boozy grainy aroma. This ale gives Dark Lord a run for its money. It's so rich, creamy, full bodied and overflowing with caramel malt, raisin, just freaking amazing.
The only way to correctly rate this beer is to put it side by side with the most highly acclaimed barrel aged stouts in the world, and guess what, I intend to do just that. I broke open a Bourbon County Stout just to confirm that yes, Plead the 5th BA is more complex, perhaps not as boozy, but definitely more complex.
So there it is folks. The best beer in the world.
