Here is an update on the beer that is sitting in my casks since 11/28/2011:
Scotch Ale:
1. Scotch Cask: The nose has a roasty hint and a tart essence. The scotch/oak is really drying out the flavor profile. This is very delicate and dark. Can’t wait to bottle this, but I might leave it in cask awhile longer
2. Evan Williams Cask: a roundier sweeter scent than the scotch cask. Vanilla oak and no roastiness in the nose. The taste is a real surprise. The bourbon flavors moves this beer in a great direction. A thight tannin finish… whoa. ready to bottle!
Brown Ale:
1. Blanton’s Cask: this smells like a belgian dark sour beer, but still with a sweet backbone. The flavor is a nice smooth balanced beer. this is good, not very oaky or bourbony, just an easy beer, with a complicated flavor. a little wine finish.
2. Rye Cask: an oaky raisin nose. A bright citrus flavor, with a weird grapefruit essence. This could get a little more sour, and turn into a fantastic rodenbach type belgian. This could mean some additional micro organisms…. uhm…..