Four Seasons Winter '15

Four Seasons of Mother Earth Winter Ale by Mother Earth Brewing Company is being evaluated as a Specialty Wood Aged Beer (Category 33B) from the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines.

This is a bourbon barrel aged imperial stout with brown sugar and peanut butter essence. The peanut butter dominates the aroma with a light vanilla and oak character from the barrel in the background. A light chocolate character emerges early but is elbowed out by the peanut butter. A light floral alcohol emerges as the beer warms.The flavor also exhibits strong peanut butter character with light chocolate and vanilla trying to fight its way through. A moderate hop bitterness rises up in the middle and lingers into a medium dry finish, turning a touch harsh in the aftertaste. The full body and moderate but smooth alcohol warming is complementary, but the peanut butter tends to dominate this beer and covers up the expected rich and complex base beer. A reduction of peanut butter essence would help create better balance and allow the base beer to shine through.