J.W. Lees Harvest Ale (Calvados Barrel Aged)

Once inside of TJ’s Restaurant and Drinkery for their anniversary party, I ordered a glass of J.W. Lees Harvest Ale aged in Calvados Barrels. The beer pours an amber color with a frothy white color. The aroma consists of caramel, apple, oak, brandy, and smoke. The taste is sweet at first with caramel, toffee, apple, cinnamon, and raisin before transitioning into an alcohol bite with hints of smoke. Naturally, these flavors dry the mouth and leave behind a lingering smoke and oak flavor. The alcohol content is 11.5% ABV. I enjoyed this version of the Harvest Ale, as I have with the others that I have tried. The brandy was faint and more complementary rather than overbearing, but it was quite enjoyable.

J.W. Lees Harvest Ale 2011

I’m not quite sure, but it took me this long to finally get my first J.W. Lees Harvest Ale, a 2011 vintage.  The beer pours an amber color with a frothy cream colored head that leaves a light lacing on the glass on the way down. The aroma consists of honey, raisin, fig, earth, and candisugar. The taste is smooth with caramel, honey, and malts up front with raisin and fig flavors mixed in as well. An earthy spice takes over with pepper and grass as well. The finish has toffee and Belgian yeast sweetness. The alcohol content is 11.5% ABV. I thoroughly enjoyed the flavors in this beer and how the sweetness worked so well with the spices. I would absolutely get another one or two and lay it down to see how it ages.