Pouring with an extremely dark brown to nearly black color, the Bourbon Barrel edition of Buffalo Sweat, Tallgrass Brewing Company’s oatmeal cream stout has a nose that is sweet with hints of coffee and chocolate. The aging that Buffalo Sweat goes through imparts hints of vanilla and a spicy bourbon bite to the conclusion of each sip. While the beer is light on the alcohol (5.8% ABV) when compared to other stouts on the market, one will have a similar burn in their belly as they continue to drink a can of the BB Buffalo Sweat. The mouthfeel of this stout is closer to a porter than the sludgier, more tarry stouts on the market, making this into an eminently-drinkable beer that would be perfect for warming someone up after a cold autumn’s night. Tallgrass’s Bourbon Barrel Buffalo Sweat is perfectly-balanced, with the aging process contributing nicely to a sharper flavor profile and the base oatmeal and malt elements giving the effort a good dollop of sweetness.
As the BB Buffalo Sweat continues to warm, the chocolate and coffee notes initially discerned in the beer become more prevalent. There is a good bitterness that is present here, which acts as a palette refresher. While this is a great drinking beer, I feel that the assertive flavors of the Bourbon Barrel Buffalo Sweat would be paired well with dried meats, curries, tacos, and anything else that possesses enough of a strong flavor profile to go mano e mano with this oatmeal stout.
Check out our Big RICC review for our thoughts about Tallgrass’s Russian Imperial Stout and take a journey to Tallgrass’s domain for a full rundown of all of their beers. The company is active on Facebook and Twitter, providing information about new product releases.
Rating: 9.0/10
Bourbon Barrel Buffalo Sweat / Tallgrass Brewing Company / 5.8% ABV / tallgrassbeer.com/ / www.facebook.com/tallgrassbrewingco / twitter.com/TallgrassBeer /
