Swamp Creek sounds like a body of water you might find in the depths of southern USA, complete with ‘gators, clouds of ‘skeeters, and rafts made from bourbon barrels. (Yes, I’m woefully ignorant about that part of the world. I did watch To Kill A Mockingbird in high school, though.)
But it’s in Caloundra, not far from from Moffat Beach, and so this Deep-South-sounding creek is perfect to lend its name to a bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout.
The barrel in question held Kentucky bourbon then Canadian maple syrup, and the stout that resided in there for 12 months picked up notes of both. Sweet maple and bourbon aromas mingle as they rise from the chocolate crema sitting on top of the beer. But, in the mouth, their stickiness is offset by a light acidity that cuts through – almost a cherry cola character.
It tastes even better than Swamp Creek sounds.
Mick Wust
