Rue D'Floyd (Three Floyds and The Bruery Collaboration)

I was lucky enough to get my hands on both of the version of Rue D'Floyd.  However, I was unlucky enough to then find out from The Bruery that there were signs of infection in the beer.  Per their instructions, I decided to drink them before June 30th just in case.  Such are the prices you pay when you are making sweet beer at The Bruery.

Rue D'Floyd

This version is an imperial porter aged in bourbon barrels with cherries, coffee, and vanilla beans.

Appearance- Opaque black with a small tan head.  The head disappears almost completely with little to no lacing.

Smell- Strong scent of oak and vanilla, almost overpowering.  Dark fruits somewhat noticeable along with the dark roasty malts and kinds of coffee.

Taste- Unsurprisingly, the vanilla and oak smack you in the face (nose?) to begin.  The cherries are distinguishable towards the middle, but becomes sickly sweet.  The end slips into a lingering roasty flavor that pairs with a rich vanilla as a hot alcohol finishes off the beer.

Mouthfeel- Full bodied with low carbonation.  Finishes with noticeable alcohol warmth.

Overall- Beer is a little too overwhelming at this point.  I think it could be helped with some aging, but unfortunately that was not much of an option this time around.

Floyd D'Rue

This version is an imperial porter aged in rum barrels with spices added

Appearance- Opaque black with a fizzy dark brown head that barely appears before it is completely gone.  Absolutely no lacing.

Smell- Much like the last version, vanilla dominates with the addition of some heavy spices that almost seem in the vein of a Christmasy/nutmeg beer.

Taste- Starts similar to the smell with a heavy dose of vanilla, but the rum barrel is more prominent.  Towards the middle some light dark fruit flavors with roasted/burnt malt, but the vanilla is overpowering.  The beer finishes with strong, hot alcohol that is paired with the burnt malt.

Mouthfeel- Thick motor oil sensation with very minimal carbonation.  Hot alcohol that could use some time to cool off.

Overall- Much like the last version, this is quite an hot beer.  Once again, no time to age so I was forced to drink this one a little too early.