R&D Bourbon Barrel Kriek

Released on Friday, August 13th, 2010 only at the brewery and to a tune of 1,500 bottles. Poured clear with a huge amount of tan, thick foam filled my glass with a vigorous pour. Retention was quite good with very little, if any, lacing. Aroma is only slight hint of tart on top of a nice dose of smooth cherries. Oak is a definite, but a deep oak, maybe this is where the bourbon comes in plan but not as booze. Toffee? Taste is really sweet up front with tart coming in through the middle to the end to help balance. Fruit is a big part of the beer. Oak comes in the middle with a bit of funk that gives off a earthy presence. Bourbon? Eh, not really. Medium body with a good amount of zing from the carbonation - has a good place for this beer. No syrup like qualities in spite of the large amount of fruit. Seems to be another one of those awesome New Glarus fruit beers. How different is it from some of the beers coming out of NG lately (Cherry Stout, Enigma), not much, but still has a nice spot in their fruit beer array. Enjoy!