We rarely see raspberry Stouts aged in bourbon barrels with vanilla beans. So, this marks a very special occasion ‘cause today’s brew also marks the first time we’ve gotten any beer from Hardywood Park!

To be honest, we don’t know whether to be more excited about the brewery or the beer!

The Brewery

Even in beer-saturated Richmond, Virginia, the brewers at Hardywood Park stand out. Their big, boozy brews have landed on “Best of” and “Must-try” lists from the likes of VinePair, Paste Mag, Hop Culture and the Wall Street Journal. 

And in January, Thrillist declared them the Best Brewery in Richmond!

The Beer

Brewed with loads of chocolate malt, cacao nibs, and late-season red raspberries from a local Virginia farm, Bourbon Barrel Raspberry Stout with Vanilla Beans is a desserty sipper right from the get-go. But Hardywood Park goes further, maturing the silky brew in bourbon barrels and finishing it on Madagascar vanilla beans. 

It’s smoothly chocolatey with bursts of bright berry and creamy vanilla, and it’s oh-so tasty. And at 11.5% ABV, it comes with a booziness that’ll keep you cheery long after the bottle is empty!

The Bottom Line

Whether you’re more excited about getting your hands on a coveted beer from an esteemed brewery or sipping down its luscious flavors, one thing’s for certain — you just gotta get it! 

Rated 92/100 on Beeradvocate; 4.1 on Untappd