Fremont ‘BA B-Bomb – Coffee & Cinnamon Edition’

Rating:

“This year’s release of B-Bomb is aged in 8–12-year-old American Oak bourbon barrels and is a blend of 9, 12, and 24-month old barrel-aged Winter Ale. This special edition adds cold brew coffee and cinnamon bark to complement the bourbon, oak, cacao, leather, toffee, and dark coffee notes achieved from its extended barrel aging and barrel blending. Each barrel contributes a different note, and combining each barrel to create a coherent tone is a distinct art and true pleasure. Please do enjoy this unique barrel-aged ale today but know that Coffee Cinnamon B-Bomb will age gracefully for years to come. Don’t Be Afraid To Be Abominable.

Glassware: Snifter.

Appearance: As black as midnight with a short dark brown head. It eventually settles to the rim with scarce lace work as it ebbs.

Aroma: The cinnamon definitely jumps out of the glass. As it does it hints at other spices like nutmeg, pepper, clove and a touch of ginger. Initially the coffee was totally drowned out by the spice but it opens up as it settles. Soft bourbon oak also arriving late. Disappointingly light on the bottom end i.e minimal chocolate, licorice, molasses etc. Was hoping for a bit more there.

Flavour: As anticipated the spice mixture comes on strong…mostly cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. Again the coffee component is almost MIA until it’s uncovered around the mid-palate. By then the bourbon oak with its vanilla and dark fruits have enveloped and set up the spicy, roasty and semi sweet finish.

Mouthfeel: Nice and dense, oily and warming. Low Co2. 14% ABV shows up a fair bit but can be excused at that size.

Overall: We had high expectations for this but it’s just slightly unbalanced, boozy and abrasive. It’s also lacking that hearty chocolate and licorice base. We noticed the brewers call the B-bombs “Winter Ales.” This may have something to do with the lack of typical Stout characters we were searching for.