Longwood Brewery- BBA Triple Stout

Longwood Brewery- BBA Triple Stout Review

Sometimes beer is easy, approachable and friendly. Then again, like music, beer can also be like a wave wrecked beach under a darkened sky, the perfect accompaniment to a soul scratching night of existential catharsis. Somewhere in-between these two extremes, but definitely on the more profound and dramatic end of the scale, is Longwood Brewery’s BBA Triple Stout, a 16 percenter that will have you dancing on the storm encased beach.

This monster is black with the faintest red on the edges. It has a moderate tan head that eventually disappears. There is good bourbon aroma from the Heaven Hills barrels with vanilla, cherry, alcohol, molasses, and a hint of umami savouriness, similar to soy sauce.

This stout is full bodied with low carbonation. The mouthfeel is smooth but also has an oily slickness. It has all the bold roastiness you would expect but is surprisingly dry from the use of a super high gravity yeast.

Bourbon and alcohol definitely show up again in the flavour but considering that the brewery had to apply for a temporary distilling license for this beer, not as much as you might think. There are also bold notes of vanilla, darkly roasted coffee, and intense dark chocolate. Additionally, there are hints of marshmallow, smoke, and oxidation notes of leather.

The finish shows blackstrap molasses, some unavoidable alcohol burn and the umami note again. It is pleasant and almost endless.