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From the low point of the beer I had at a hotel in Kansas City, Missouri, Boulevard has notably not gone back to the bad category even after 20 beers. Hell, they hit the excellent category three times, and they hit the high mark of 4.5/5 two times - with a dark ale and a barrel-aged stout that was stored in both whiskey and wine barrels. Well, this is another barrel-aged beer, so let's get above 4.5 with this one.
The beer is a dark burgundy color with not a whole lot of head, and that is exactly what I expect from a barrel-aged beer. It leaves a ring of bubbles on the sides, and that is honestly a lot more than I asked for, but I'll take it. I don't see bubbles coming from the depths to replenish the ones that are there, so these bubbles have seen some stuff, and they have decided they are staying. The aroma is raisins and plums over quite significant brown liquor.
First sip is shockingly good. I expected it to be pretty good, but this is legitimately and excellent beer, and that's only from a sip. The dark fruits play with light spices and wood while the heavy alcohol brings brown sugar and molasses to the party. It's a big-ass party, and everyone is invited. It reminds me that I almost wrote off this brewery at the first beer, and I am glad I didn't. I'm looking forward to the gulp.
Tip-in is excessively gentle carbonation tingle with the mouthfeel of a flat cola and a surprisingly watery dark fruit and molasses flavor. The middle stretches into a smooth and subtle brown sugar and molasses-backed dark fruit and spice slurry of goodness with alcohol starting to peer in. The finish is a drop of brown liquor on heavier spices and brown sugar before dryness sets in for the trail off.
Bottom Line: We've come a long way.
5.0/5
