Boulevard / Sierra Nevada Terra Incognita 2014
The Boulevard / Sierra Nevada collaboration Terra Incognita 2014 is an American Strong Ale, 13% ale, 55% ale aged in wine barrels and 32% ale aged in bourbon barrels. This is the third incarnation of this beer. The first was brewed specifically for the SAVOR festival in 2012. Last years was an American Wild Ale aged in whiskey barrels, which was OK but not a beer I really loved either. I am, however, enjoying this years creation quite a bit more.
This pours a dark brown color that reminds me of a Belgian Quad. The aroma also has a nice Quad like thing going on, getting sweet dark fruits, hints of toffee, bourbon and grapes. Not as rich of a smell as a great Quad, but still very inviting. The taste is a little all over the place, but in a really good way! Tasting dark cherries, coconut, vanilla, sweet ripe grapes, some oak and bourbon, sweet dates, hints of sour apples and a little banana on the finish. The mouth-feel of this beer is fantastic, neither too thin or heavy, but with a bit of syrupy heaviness. This is so super easy to drink for a 9.8% ABV beer.
Complex and original, I am really enjoying this a lot. I just might need another bottle of this for my cellar!
