Polar Bear Kisses Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout with Cacao and Peppermint
 

Review Date 12/28/2021 By John Staradumsky

  Style: Imperial Stout   Brewery: Upland   Country: USA   State: Indiana   $ Per OZ: $.77 (D)   ABV: 10%

Here’s a new brewery for me: Upland Brewing of Bloomington, Indiana. Upland started brewing here in 1998 (they have since open several satellite tasting rooms across the state of Indiana), so they are not exactly a new kid on the block. As I said, however, they are a new brewery to me, with Upland Polar Bear Kisses Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout with Cacao and Peppermint being their very first beer to pass my lips.

I saw this on tap at Taco Mac a few days before Christmas and it was a no brainer that I was going to order a glass. It sounded delicious, and it was delicious. The bartender told me this is a beer that will put hair on your chest; I retorted that I would prefer a beer that would out hair on my head. Such is life.

Upland says:

Ever had a chocolate mint? Or, maybe a fancy coffee with mint? Delicious, right?!? That’s the inspiration for this beer. The rich chocolaty, roasty coffee, and molasses flavors that combine with the oaky, bourbon, and vanilla flavors of barrel aging are complimented by the subtle peppermint to make a delicious treat. The mint is gentle, not overpowering, allowing the barrel aged beer to be the forefront. Peppermint tickles the nose gently in the initial aroma and leave a cool smooth freshness to the finish. Its like a Christmas party all up in your mouth.

Upland lists the following ingredients:

YEAST: Fermentis SafAle US-05

MALT: Pale Malt, Black Barley, Golden Naked Oats, CaraMunich I, Baird Chocolate, Special B, Carapils, Aromatic Munich 20L , Golden Light DME

HOPS: Columbus

Upland Polar Bear Kisses Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout with Cacao and Peppermint has an alcohol content of 10% by volume with 80 IBUs. I paid $8.50 for an 11-ounce glass at Taco Mac and this is the only pricing information that I have available.

My glass of Upland Polar Bear Kisses Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout with Cacao and Peppermint arrived a jet-black color with a medium creamy tan head and a nose of peppermint, wood, and boozy bourbon. Taking a sip, the beer offers all of the aforementioned with emphasis on the peppermint and wood. The boozy bourbon reemerges in the finish with chocolate and roast.

I simply adored the full thick body here infused with peppermint and chocolate. Like a booze-soaked Andy’s Crème de Menthe, this beer soothes and satisfies. Would I buy it again? Does a polar bear ummmm, you know, on the ice?

Glad I tried it?  T

Would I rebuy it??